The island of Eigg will hold its first ever film festival next month.
The festival of 10 feature films and documentaries runs from April 17 to 20, and is all about birds – encompassing everything from migration and behaviour to habitats and relationship with humans.
There will be a late-night screening of Hitchcock’s The Birds and opens with the award-winning The Messenger, which chronicles the mass depletion of songbirds across continents and the people who are trying to save them.
Old favourites such as Chicken Run and the archive film The Corncrake and the Croft are joined by new productions, including Birds of Passage from France and The Eagle Huntress from Kazakhstan.
Dr Kenny Taylor will give a talk on how seabirds’ global travels bring them back home to Eigg, while wildlife cameraman Jim Manthorpe and sound recordist Pete Smith will talk about, and show films, they have made for the BBC and National Geographic.
A bird-watching sail and walks series, sound recording workshop, a concert by Jenny Sturgeon and a special Bird Bubble Bath DJ set from Eigg’s The Pictish Trail with CineMor77’s bird projections, complete the line-up.
It will take place at Eigg’s community hall and within CineMor77’s custom-built cinema yurt, which is being erected in the Lodge Gardens next door.
Co-ordinator Lucy Conway said: “Adding a film festival to Eigg’s year-round calendar of events is very exciting.
“Adding a film festival to Eigg’s year-round calendar of events is very exciting. Eigg has many iconic bird species and is as a must-visit place for birdwatchers.
“The islanders love birds and understand visiting birdwatchers’ fascination. We’re really looking forward to enjoying four days sharing that passion through moving image, guided walks, talks, workshops and more.
Tickets go on sale on Monday, visit www.eiggfilmfestival.com