Castletown film-maker shares UHI challenge prize

A Caithness photographer and film-maker has won a top prize in a University of the Highlands and Islands contest and will have his documentary shown at the Inverness Film Festival.

John Baikie, from Castletown, shared first place in the inaugural UHI 24-Hour Film Challenge with Alexander Oliver of Culloden.

Judges praised John for his thought-provoking Gaia documentary and Alexander for his hilarious comedy, Back and Forth.

John, a graduating student of the BA (Hons) Contemporary Film Making in the Highlands and Islands degree, commented on the experience and said: "I loved the chaos of trying to think of an idea and putting something together in just a few hours.”

Six eager film-makers entered the challenge at the UHI North Highland Alness campus and were all assigned a theme, a specific line of dialogue, and a prop that they had to incorporate into their films.

With the clock ticking, participants were allocated space to unleash their creativity, brainstorm ideas, write scripts and rest before venturing out on the following morning to begin filming and complete their projects by 5pm for the judging panel.

Judges included Peter Noble, head of creative arts, Anna McPherson, programme leader for the Contemporary Film Making degree, and Iain Hamilton, head of creative industries at HIE.

Both winners received a £500 cash prize, and their films will be showcased at the Inverness Film Festival.

Anna McPherson, who organised the event with Peter Noble, shared their vision behind the challenge. "We wanted to create a unique annual event for film-makers and film enthusiasts in the Highlands, which would serve as a platform for emerging film-makers and our film-making students," she explained. "We have high hopes for the growth and development of this event."

The prize funds for the challenge were donated by event sponsors, the UHI Philanthropic Fund and HIE Scotland, with additional support from Eden Court.

The winning films can be seen at www.northhighland.uhi.ac.uk/24hrfilmchallenge

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.