Dumfries and Galloway is to benefit from Opening Shot, a brand-new Screen Scotland-funded project aimed at bringing opportunities to underrepresented communities, as it announces a partnership with two local organisations.
Anchored in the Lochside community in Dumfries and Galloway — one of the most economically deprived areas in Scotland — community organisation LIFT and Arts D&G are pairing with the Opening Shot team to deliver this access point into filmmaking.
Four completely new filmmakers will be selected as part of the Dumfries and Galloway project, with each working to produce their own £5,000 short film alongside development support and mentorship over the coming months.
Founded in 2016, LIFT: Local Initiatives For Transformation is a community-driven enterprise working to address long-standing socio-economic challenges in the area. The organisation uses creativity, compassion and inclusivity to design activities that bring people together, break down barriers, and build lasting connections across generations.
Arts D&G brought the Lochside opportunity to the Opening Shot team as part of the open call out for partner organisations, and working together could bring legacy impact for years to come.
Opening Shot is delivered by Stornoway-based company Astar Media and forms part of the Screen Scotland Talent Builder Initiative, and those interested in taking part will be able to find out more at an upcoming launch event.
In its first year, the Opening Shot Short Films programme is partnering in three separate settings that reflect a range of communities across Scotland. Alongside Intercultural Youth Scotland and Highland Cinema in Lochaber, the Dumfries and Galloway pairing completes the programme’s first cohort of partner organisations.
Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland, said: “By supporting programmes that respond to local need, we’re helping to ensure that Scotland’s filmmaking talent reflects the country’s full social and economic diversity. Opening Shot demonstrates how community-focused partnerships can help build a more inclusive screen sector.”
Morgan Love, Project Support Officer at LIFT, said: “LIFT is rooted in the Lochside community, and our work is built on trust and relationships. Partnering with Opening Shot allows us to introduce filmmaking in a way that feels accessible, giving residents the chance to tell their own stories and build confidence through creativity.”
Steve Hart, Director & CEO of Arts D&G, said: “This collaboration helps remove some of the obstacles that can prevent people from engaging with the arts. By working alongside LIFT and Opening Shot, we’re helping to create clearer pathways into filmmaking for those who may not see this as an option.”
Alison Piper, Programme Director of Opening Shot, said: “Talent exists everywhere and with the right support new voices can emerge from any community. We were excited by the idea of working with two organisations in one setting, giving us a wider reach and hopefully wider benefits for all involved.”