The Cromarty Film Festival continues to punch well above its weight.
Organised by members of Cromarty and Resolis Film Society, the festival, now in its seventh year, has an impressive array of films and special guests on offer, guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of movie buffs.
This year’s guest list includes several well-kent faces, including that of film director, critic and TV presenter Mark Cousins.
The author of several books and a programmer of the Edinburgh Film Festival, he has connections with the Highlands as he is co-founder of the 8
Mark will be explaining why he has chosen Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s 1996 work A Moment of Innocence as his favourite film.
The movie has been heralded as one of the best 500 films ever made by a critics poll at The British Film Institute. Mark was one of those critics and you can find out why he rates it so highly by making your way to The Stables on Saturday night.
Mark will also be around on Sunday afternoon to introduce his uplifting and entertaining documentary The First Movie, made in 2009, which is about helping young children make their first movie in an Iraqi village.
Young TV fans have been following the adventures of feisty, red-haired Katie Morag, whose exploits have become a new Cbeebies series.
Katie’s creator, Mairi Hedderwick, will be on hand at the Victoria Hall tomorrow night to discuss and introduce her favourite film, Thelma and Louise, the classic road movie with a twist which stars Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis and a very young Brad Pitt.
Film fans who like to have their spines tingled should make sure they get tickets for the Saturday late-night screening of Outpost II: Black Sun (Steve Barker, 2012).
Introduced by producers Arabella Page Croft and Kieran Parker (Sunshine on Leith and the Outpost series of Scottish horror films), it starts with a torchlight procession from the Old Brewery up to the Stables where this Nazi/zombie movie will be screened for those brave enough to sit through the classic horror.
Also attending are Colin Monie, one of Scotland’s most experienced film editors, whose work includes Hallam Foe, The Magdalene Sisters, Midnight’s Children, and James Mavor, who is a working screenwriter and head of the postgraduate screenwriting course at Edinburgh University.
Mavor’s work includes Doors Open (2012), adapted from the bestselling “art heist” novel by Ian Rankin starring Stephen Fry and Douglas Henshall.
Very much in the news of late, thanks to plans for a spectacular stage show of the cult TV show Still Game, is Ford Kiernan.
He’ll present his choice of episode of the show at the Victoria Hall on Sunday afternoon and will be on hand to discuss the creation of Scotland’s most successful comedy TV series, and his key role in it.
The choices of films and shows being screened show why this festival is different to others which may focus on promoting new work.
Guests were asked to choose their five personal cinema favourites, one of which will be screened at the festival, which will lead to many interesting debates.
These films will run alongside Bafta-winning shorts, Scottish Screen Archive, student films and talks.
The locations for screenings are as eclectic as the programme. These range from a lighthouse and pizza restaurant to a seafront shed and hall lit by 100 flaming torches.
The Cromarty Training Centre is an old brewery which transforms into the festival bar for the weekend and is the ideal place to rub shoulders with guests and enjoy a dip into the Scottish Screen Archive.
The festival draws to a close with the usual flourish, with a night of curry, wine, flamenco music and, hopefully (yet to be confirmed), a screening of feel-good movie Sunshine on Leith with producers Arabella Page Croft and Kieran Parker as guests.
Cromarty Film Festival runs from tomorrow, December 6, to Sunday, December 8, at Cromarty in the Black Isle.
Tickets are available from Eden Court Theatre (01463 239841 and www.eden-court.co.uk) or from the website www.cromartyfilm festival.org