Shetland Arts" amazing new UK-wide film project, Hansel of Film, promoted by acclaimed film critic Mark Kermode and film historian, Linda Ruth Williams, will be on BBC 2's Culture Show on Wednesday 18th July at 10pm.
A Hansel of Film – Shetland to Southampton and Back is a relay of screenings of short films made by the public across the UK as part of the London 2012 Festival, celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The relay started on June 10 in the Garrison Theatre in Lerwick, Shetland, and reaches its halfway point in Southampton on July 15. It will then work its way back through a total of 24 locations to reach its climax back in Shetland on September 7 and 8 for a marathon screening of highlights in Shetland Arts" brand new venue, Mareel, as part of the agency's annual film festival, Screenplay, which runs from 31 August – 9 September.
At each stop the audience enjoy films from Shetland, films from their area and films from the previous stop in the relay. All the films have been made by non-professionals.
The Culture Show will cover the relay and screening in Berwick upon Tweed, which took place on the 24of June, and includes an interview with Mark Kermode and Paul Bruce, the director of one of the short films, Zombie Asockalypse.
The films are being relayed from venue to venue by "runners" - creative individuals who have devised their own methods of delivery. So far there have been vintage car drivers, a cyclist, a busking fiddler, a motorcyclist with sidecar and even a pantomime horse, to name but some. And at least one person is actually going to run their section of the race.
Shetland Arts" Hansel of Film Project Manager, Kathy Hubbard said: “We have had such a warm welcome at the venues visited so far, and great enthusiasm for the films. And we applaud the runners, many of whom have had to do their bit under some of the most challenging weather conditions a British summer can throw at them. Not even the deluge has lessened the sense of celebration we have experienced on our journey so far.”
Tickets for the events are free but booking is strongly recommended.