Alongside wrestling with my never-ending first feature film, I sometimes sneak in these wee community/commissioned docs. Then I usually forget about them the second they’re finished (after panicking my way through tiny budgets, weird deadlines, huge self-criticism, and beautiful mistakes), and with no energy left, I stop thinking about how to actually share them with people, which is a shame. But then again, there are more shameful things happening in the world, so it’s really not that much of a shame (to be honest.)
Anyway, somehow a few of them made their way into some lovely community screenings in Scotland this winter, and I’m really excited they’ll get to meet people. Thank you winter.
🎥 Ya Dancer – Paisley Docs: Rebels and Innovators
📍 The Wynd Centre, Paisley
🗓 Sat 25 Oct, 7pm (with the feature Ramona)
🎥 Within the Fragments of Gurbet – Iris @ SPLINTR Festival
📍 The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow
🗓 Sat 11 Oct 2025
🎥 Finding the Spirit of Galoshans – Galoshans Mini Film Festival (TBC)
📍 Waterfront Cinema, Greenock
🗓 Fri 24 – Sun 26 Oct 2025
And my good-old My Name is Anık is wandering the Outer Hebrides this month via Hebrides International Film Festival
📍 Bernera CC – Wed 24 Sept, 7.30pm
📍 An Lanntair – Wed 24 Sept, 11am
📍 Tarbert CC – Thu 25 Sept, 7.30pm
📍 Carinish Hall – Fri 26 Sept, 7.30pm
📍 An Taigh Cèilidh – Sat 27 Sept, 2pm
1st photo @blark_meakley and Dixon community - Ya Dancer
2nd photo fabulous Fatou Gitte - Within the Fragments of Gurbet
Repost @sheffdocfest
🌼
A truly beautiful opening to our Queer Realities Director’s Lab!
Our inaugural cohort were treated to a masterclass from the wonderful @gianlumata , including a screening of his film, The Last Chapter, followed by a deep dive into his creative process.
Our Queer Realities Director’s Lab is designed to encourage the exploration of creative possibilities within the documentary realm, pushing the boundaries of queer storytelling, and contributing to the creation of fresh perspectives in authentic and compelling queer nonfiction narratives.
Ok, so I have this huge anxiety about sharing anything “serious” on social media because I’m mega scared of being misunderstood, but fuck that. I recently met an amazing woman named Sigal and decided to become a bit more bold like her.
When I decided to “pursue” filmmaking, several colleagues warned me about how tiring, toxic, and unequal the environment could be. I found this to be true. I often felt alienated and constantly frustrated. Thankfully, I met people who reminded me why I wanted to make documentaries. They were my safe bubble, but still a bubble.
Recently, I was dealing with a lot of negative feelings and doubted it was possible to create any sense of community within this huuge thing called “the industry.” I’ll be honest, I was skeptical about Close Up first too, thinking there was no way to have an environment where filmmakers from certain regions weren’t looked down upon. So I went there with my shields up.
But then I met Sigal, Gitte, and other filmmakers and mentors, and I realised it is possible to feel protected, understood, and surrounded by solidarity, unique political expression, and freedom. It’s also possible to discuss and criticise without fear of exclusion. This is the first professional space where I can be myself without worrying about being “too much.” Nothing and nowhere is perfect, and what I’m writing is just about my personal experience. being genuine is a must, and I can see how difficult it is to create this type of environment,it requires good intentions, patience, and openness from everyone involved.
I don’t remember any other platform where I felt so moved or happy for other filmmakers or so comfortable being open about myself and my insecurities. It often looks like ‘weakness’ outside of my own bubble. God knows how many times I’ve been warned against this openness. But for the first time I felt so confident in myself and my filmmaking practice. So thank you, and not just a polite thank you, I mean THANK YOU.
Sorry for the ramble, but I know many filmmakers follow each other, and we only share our successes here, which makes this lonely feeling even bigger. So I had this beautiful and honest experience and+
Short Circuit short film tour's first stop is @bogoshorts in Colombia!
The programme includes shorts by amazing Scotland-based filmmakers and my wee My Name is Anik is part of it.
After sleepless nights and endless days... Can't believe we made it!
Thank you everyone!
You can watch Scottish Greens October broadcast (political commercial) :
BBC One - 8th Oct 18:55pm
STV - 8 Oct 18:25pm
Director/Producer - Bircan Birol @biridea
Director of Photography - Austen McCowan of @meltthefly
Art Director - Alice Knight
Assistant Producer- Kayleigh Boyd
Make-up / Wardrobe - Karen Shields @karenjshieldsmua
Offline Editor - Matt Williams @postprodmatt@filmcutpost
Online Editor - Tom Cairns @tomc111
Sound Designer - Simon Howard @saiominn
Composer - Victoria Wijeratne @vwijimusic
Voice Over - Deirdre Graham @deirdregrahammusic
Sound Mix - William Aikman @williamaikman
Mountain hare footage by Andrew Parkinson @andyparkinsonphoto
Script - Tom Freeman @tomfreeman400
Huge shout out to @elliebgomersall to co-direct and create the last scene.
Actors - Aaliyah Iriuoesiri @aaliyah_elohor , Agbaga Iriuoesiri, Jack Campbell, Alec Uhlenbrock, Rosita Bowcutt, Ellie Gomershal, Kaleb Shields & Danielle Borthwick
Also big thanks to Holly @hollyhayyy and Ally @girl_with_an_fx6 for the indoor locations!
Delivered by Arteus @arteusglasgow
I need to sleep now. Like I DO NEED TO SLEEP.
Oh, look at my fancy wee screening schedule like!
So apparently Art-Reach has teamed up with BFI FAN to offer independent indie cinemas the opportunity to screen Journeys into Film shorts ahead of their screenings of Limbo - and here I am super proud that my film My Name is Anik will screen alongside this amazing film. Hopefully more screenings together soon! Thank you again @scottishdocinstitute to give me this chance 2 years ago.
More good news is on the way as well!
The second photo is me telling my gran that she is even more famous and she is questioning why she can't even get a discount from her local supermarket then. Following her classic cheeky smile.
