Dundee Contemporary Arts is hosting Scotland”s biggest international film festival for young people. Packed with features and animations from around the world and workshops galore, Jennifer Cosgrove spoke to festival co-ordinator Katharine Simpson to discover what she’s so excited about.
Now in its seventh year, Discovery Film Festival aims to develop new audiences for international film and offer an insight into the lives of children and young people in other cultures.
It also has a thriving schools programme, plus year-round educational activities and screenings for children and young adults.
In addition, the festival tours a selection of films to partner venues in Dumfries and Galloway, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Fife.
Last year, Discovery screened over 30 films to almost 8000 people and Katharine is hopeful this year will be just as busy, with productions coming all the way from New Zealand, Japan, France and Africa.
“My real passion is sharing films with other people and getting them excited about them. But Discovery is not just about films, it’s also got workshops, we’ve got guests coming and special events.
“This year, there are plenty of UK premieres and award-winners, but all of the chosen films are full of great stories which will move people to tears or have them laughing out loud.”
Katharine has always loved film. She studied film theory and history at Glasgow University and also took a year out to work in production and film making.
Before Discovery, she spent two years in London with media company Current TV, which was founded by former US vice president Al Gore. Katharine was a programmer for children and young people at the cable channel, selecting and buying films and documentaries.
She and colleagues at Discovery have been all over the world looking for the best selection of features for the festival and one of their biggest coups was securing the UK premiere of the eagerly-awaited new Moomins film in 3D.
Based on the much-loved creatures created by Finnish author Tove Jansson, Moomins and the Comet Chase opened the festival on Saturday and began a weekend of Moomin-themed activities, workshops and storytelling.
Since Jansson began publishing Moomins books in 1945, the characters have gathered a strong cult following and inspired cartoon and puppet animation and even theme park Moominworld in Finland. The books were re-released earlier this year to mark their 65th anniversary.
The film is based on Jansson’s 1946 book Comet in Moominland and its theme song was written by Icelandic singer Bjrk.
“It’s great it’s the UK premiere, it’s really important for us to stress this is an international film festival and the idea is to bring independent films to a young audience, showing them there are films being made for children and young people across the world,” Katharine said.
The opening weekend was aimed at children and families, while young adults can get into weekend two with some indie films and anime from Japan. The closing weekend will have a Hallowe’en theme and some spooky treats.
The closing film, Neuklln Unlimited, screens on October 31 and was picked up by the Discovery team after they saw it at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year.
The documentary took home the Crystal Bear youth jury prize to a standing ovation from an audience of under-18s.
“When you programme a festival, the idea is that you open and close with fantastic films,” Katharine said.
“This is the story of three siblings who came to Berlin with their family as Lebanese refugees.
“They have grown up in the city’s music culture and are relatively successful rappers and break dancers who perform regularly but they are under constant threat of being deported and sent back to the country of their birth where they no longer have any cultural relations.”
Katharine said the youngest sibling, Maradonna is interesting because the longer he’s in Berlin trying to persuade the government he should be able to stay, and the more he is rejected, he appears to become more politicised and identify increasingly with being Lebanese.
“Although he doesn’t become totally radicalised, you can see how that process could start.
“The brothers eventually decide to earn money and be responsible citizens, so they do a lot of dancing in public and Maradonna has the opportunity to take part in a big talent contest.
“It’s a very powerful story about determination and these are talented young people who care about their family and Berlin and Germany. Although it’s got a strong message, it’s absolutely full of dancing and music, so it’s really enjoyable to watch.”
Before the screening, one of the stars Hassan Akkouch will run a breakdance masterclass with Dundee-based Showcase the Street and take part in a Q&A session after the film.
Katharine is also excited about Boy, which is showing on October 23. The New Zealand production was a box office hit in its home country when it came out earlier this year and was directed by Taika Waititi, who worked on HBO comedy series Flights of the Conchords.
Putty Hill is set to be popular in the middle weekend of the festival. Suitable for viewers over the age of 15, it’s the first American feature film to be shown at Discovery.
“It is a fantastic indie film that was made on quite a small budget by a relatively young film maker,” Katharine explained.
“The back story is they were actually making another film and they had a relatively big budget for it and they found their locations and hired all the cast, got the costume designs ready and had the script. But, just before it was due to begin filming, the funding was pulled.
“A lot of people had been really passionate about making the film so, rather than giving up, they decided to make one anyway. Instead of the official script, they used another idea.
“The story follows a character called Jenny who is returning to her small home town for the funeral of a cousin she didn’t really know very well.
“Although it sounds depressing, it’s surprisingly funny. It’s a very honest film and it’s not at all sentimental. There are certain aspects I think people will relate to.”
Other highlights include adaptations of popular children’s books The Gruffalo and Varmints, stunning Irish animation The Secret of Kells, Mia and the Magoo, an award-winning eco-adventure from France, and Japanese animation Summer Wars, an action story about saving the world through computer games and puzzles.
This year, Discovery will also occupy DCA’s gallery exhibition space, showcasing work by two of the UK’s most interesting video artists.
George Barber is a prominent video artist, with screenings on Channel 4 and in galleries including Tate Modern. His piece for the exhibition is an updated version of Andy Warhol’s Marilyn paintings.
Fellow artist Jaygo Bloom studied sculpture at Glasgow School of Art and then electronic imaging at Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. He has produced works for a number of arts organisations as well as dance club and concert environments including Scottish band Franz Ferdinand’s world tour.
Katharine said, “The idea is that for the whole three weeks, the building will be full of fun events for families and young people.”
Discovery Film Festival runs at Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, from today until November 3. Tickets range from £3 per film to £30 for a festival pass. For the full programme and further details visit www.discoveryfilmfestival.org.uk or call 01382 909 900.
The closing film, Neuklln Unlimited, screens on October 31 and was picked up by the Discovery team after they saw it at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year.
The documentary took home the Crystal Bear youth jury prize to a standing ovation from an audience of under-18s.
“When you programme a festival, the idea is that you open and close with fantastic films,” Katharine said.
“This is the story of three siblings who came to Berlin with their family as Lebanese refugees.
“They have grown up in the city’s music culture and are relatively successful rappers and break dancers who perform regularly but they are under constant threat of being deported and sent back to the country of their birth where they no longer have any cultural relations.”
Katharine said the youngest sibling, Maradonna is interesting because the longer he’s in Berlin trying to persuade the government he should be able to stay, and the more he is rejected, he appears to become more politicised and identify increasingly with being Lebanese.
“Although he doesn’t become totally radicalised, you can see how that process could start.
“The brothers eventually decide to earn money and be responsible citizens, so they do a lot of dancing in public and Maradonna has the opportunity to take part in a big talent contest.
“It’s a very powerful story about determination and these are talented young people who care about their family and Berlin and Germany. Although it’s got a strong message, it’s absolutely full of dancing and music, so it’s really enjoyable to watch.”
Before the screening, one of the stars Hassan Akkouch will run a breakdance masterclass with Dundee-based Showcase the Street and take part in a Q&A session after the film.
Katharine is also excited about Boy, which is showing on October 23. The New Zealand production was a box office hit in its home country when it came out earlier this year and was directed by Taika Waititi, who worked on HBO comedy series Flights of the Conchords.
Putty Hill is set to be popular in the middle weekend of the festival. Suitable for viewers over the age of 15, it’s the first American feature film to be shown at Discovery.
“It is a fantastic indie film that was made on quite a small budget by a relatively young film maker,” Katharine explained.
“The back story is they were actually making another film and they had a relatively big budget for it and they found their locations and hired all the cast, got the costume designs ready and had the script. But, just before it was due to begin filming, the funding was pulled.
“A lot of people had been really passionate about making the film so, rather than giving up, they decided to make one anyway. Instead of the official script, they used another idea.
“The story follows a character called Jenny who is returning to her small home town for the funeral of a cousin she didn’t really know very well.
“Although it sounds depressing, it’s surprisingly funny. It’s a very honest film and it’s not at all sentimental. There are certain aspects I think people will relate to.”
Other highlights include adaptations of popular children’s books The Gruffalo and Varmints, stunning Irish animation The Secret of Kells, Mia and the Magoo, an award-winning eco-adventure from France, and Japanese animation Summer Wars, an action story about saving the world through computer games and puzzles.
This year, Discovery will also occupy DCA’s gallery exhibition space, showcasing work by two of the UK’s most interesting video artists.
George Barber is a prominent video artist, with screenings on Channel 4 and in galleries including Tate Modern. His piece for the exhibition is an updated version of Andy Warhol’s Marilyn paintings.
Fellow artist Jaygo Bloom studied sculpture at Glasgow School of Art and then electronic imaging at Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. He has produced works for a number of arts organisations as well as dance club and concert environments including Scottish band Franz Ferdinand’s world tour.
Katharine said, “The idea is that for the whole three weeks, the building will be full of fun events for families and young people.”
Discovery Film Festival runs at Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, from today until November 3. Tickets range from £3 per film to £30 for a festival pass. For the full programme and further details visit www.discoveryfilmfestival.org.uk or call 01382 909 900.