A brand new Take One Action Film Festivals Local Group is getting underway in Edinburgh, off the back of the organisation’s 2014 festival. For the last few months, a bunch of energetic volunteers have been gathering on Sunday evenings to watch world-changing documentaries together, with the hope of opening these out to the wider public alongside Take One Action’s own events.
We are looking forward to working in various boroughs and collaborating with different organisations. As a group consisting of over nine nationalities (Spain, Italy, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Russia, Germany, Ireland and Scotland) this will also be a means of learning more about our current home.
Around a cup of tea and a piece of cake, we have been sharing our visions on the topics addressed in these films. Today, we want to share these exciting and convivial moments with as many people as we can. We embrace and believe in Take One Action’s values. Each of us has the urge of using films to connect people with the global issues that affect us all – because films are the best way to explore, discover and learn about current issues. They can inspire, challenge and motivate us to improve the places we inhabit.
As a new Take One Action Local Group, we recently took part in a training delivered by TOA’s artistic director Simon Bateson and executive producer Tamara Van Strijthem. They provided us with tools and advice to make public screenings happen in the best conditions. We are very grateful for all the help and support we have received.
We are aware that The Wave Machine needs to be mobile, changing from one venue to another so we can bring these films to the different communities of Edinburgh. Recently, we have also been in touch with local filmmakers whose works reflect their commitment to the community. We would like to connect local breakthrough filmmaking talent with audiences in future events. To provide a platform for emerging artists who can introduce their work and inspire particular groups to take action.
On Sunday 1st of February we welcomed Igor Slepov, a young Scotland-based Russian filmmaker, and two of his colleagues to discuss his latest projects. Igor has made the short film “Chappin” about the referendum in Scotland, commissioned by the Scottish Documentary Institute. He follows Liam, a 17-year-old boy from Glasgow, who campaigns for the Radical Independence Party. This short film is the first instalment of a referendum trilogy.
The Wave Machine, a Take One Action Local Group is moving out for the first time from our living rooms into the Summerhall on Thursday the 19th of February. We believe that good programming is very important to reach audiences and we have worked hard in selecting the film for this first event. For
that reason, we have chosen You’ve Been Trumped, which we think will help us learn more and discuss about a relevant topic in Scotland: land rights.
Come along, meet us, have a delicious piece of cake and share your thoughts on the film in a very friendly atmosphere!