Early Christmas Present to next generation of Scottish directors

GLASGOW, Scotland - Dec. 8, 2015 - PRLog -- The brains behind the award winning and critically acclaimed short film Perfect Strangers are using their most recent prize to help and inspire the next generation of Scottish filmmakers.

BAFTA Nominee Ryan Hendrick & BAFTA Winner David Newman at Magic Monkey Films scooped the Audience Award at this year’s Southside Film Festival in Glasgow and are using their prize of equipment and facility hire to promote independent film in Scotland.

The winning film, Perfect Strangers, premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and has been featured at another 10 international and home grown festivals. It tells the story of two strangers stranded together in the Scottish Highlands on Christmas Eve that team up to try and get home for Christmas. Shot on the beautiful Rannoch Moors in Glencoe over 5 days last winter the 26 minute film was a testing ground for the filmmakers as they prepare to embark on their debut feature film Journey Bound, a comedy road movie also set in the Highlands.

Producer David Newman said, ”We were taken aback by the audience voting for our film. Romantic Comedies don’t win awards. On top of that, we had no idea we were being presented with a £500 voucher for G-­‐MAC (Glasgow Media Access Centre). We are using half of the prize to pay for the screening but we will be looking for a new filmmaker who would benefit from a little help to hire some much needed production kit.”

”After spending the best part of a decade making small films on shoestring budgets we are taking the next step and moving into the big bad world of commercial film with our first big feature film Journey Bound and it has been a long road to bring this project together. We want the next rising stars to have the help we were longing for when we started out. What I wouldn’t have given for a financial helping hand 10 years ago, or even 3 years ago for that matter.”

Magic Monkey Films are hosting a screening at G-­‐MAC on the 16th December where they will be looking to meet the next generation of indie film makers and pass on their prize. Director Ryan Hendrick explained, ”I walked through the doors of G-­‐MAC -­‐ then GFVW, back when I was 14 years old and it was the first time I thought that my dreams could become a reality and I’ve never looked back. It’s incredibly difficult for new and emerging filmmakers to attract funding on any level, particularly in Scotland and any financial help at the beginning of a career makes a lot of difference.”

To nominate yourself for the £250 award of equipment hire, attend the Perfect Strangers screening event at G-­‐MAC Film 103 Trongate on Wednesday 16th December. Doors open at 6pm. The event will feature live music from Singer / Songwriter Jack Henderson who’s new album This Daring Light and new single Bethlehem feature on the film’s soundtrack.