Northern Lights film project launched
The nation is encouraged to pick up their cameras and capture their Scotland on film
Today saw the launch of Scotland's first ever mass participation documentary film project, Northern Lights.
Not to be confused with the Aurora Borealis, this part-film, part-art project comes from the mind of award-winning Scottish filmmaker Nick Higgins.
The director wants Scots up and down the country to pick up their cameras or camera phones and film themselves, their lives, their hopes and dreams.
His three-month project is open to everyone and was launched yesterday on Sauchiehall Street by TV personality Sanjeev Kohli, of Still Game fame. He was joined in supporting the cause by Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop and Iain Munro from Creative Scotland.
Higgins said of his project: 'The idea of inviting people from across Scotland to pick up a camera, film their Scotland and share their lives is hugely exciting to me and we’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for everyone to get involved. Our aim is to create a truly original representation of Scotland, taking in everything from the extraordinary to the everyday.'
The director hopes that Scots will get involved to help build a stunning portrait of the country in 2012.
Throughout the project prizes awards totalling £10,000 will be awarded to participants who make the most telling contributions and workshops will be put on all over the country to add to the experience.
Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said in her support for the project: 'The innovative Northern Lights film project will provide a new opportunity for Scots from all corners of our country to see, experience and contribute to Scotland’s rich, vibrant culture.
'Northern Lights is one of ten groundbreaking projects supported through the £1.2 million First in a Lifetime programme during the Year of Creative Scotland. It will help to highlight and celebrate the wealth of talent Scotland has to offer and will culminate in a lasting, visual showcase of our nation’s creativity. I am delighted to welcome its launch today.'
Filmed contributions must be uploaded to the Northern Lights website by Thu 21 Jun 2012 and you must be over 14 to submit to the project.