Wigtown screening hopes for local film

A SHORT film produced by a team of young people and filmed in Wigtown will be shown in the area later this year.

‘Piece of Mind’ is the most recent film created by the youth-led film-making organisation, ‘Next Take’. It is set in the fictional village of ‘Kilbron’ and follows the residents as they observe the annual ‘Day of Silence’ to mark the anniversary of a devastating raid which took place 250 years ago.

However, in the modern day, an event that’s brought people together for centuries, is starting to drive them apart.

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ON LOCATION . . . actors Cal and Ro on Mainstreet[/caption]

The crew was made up exclusively of young people from across Scotland who have been working on the film since February 2024, They designed it to explore the topical theme of perspective - showing how the same situation can be seen in different, equally valid ways - and encourage openness to differences and other viewpoints in a judgemental world.

Director Max McGregor said: “A priority for this project was to increase employment opportunities and to create a network of like-minded peers who will continue to collaborate and support one another as they move forward in what is a difficult industry to navigate. Doing this meant also building people’s personal abilities and experience over the course of the project, so everyone feels more confident in themselves for whatever their next steps in life are.

“The long-form structure offers plenty of time for everyone to explore every aspect of making a film and find an interest within the process - everything from planning and story development, through to technical roles and acting.

“It’s been heart-warming seeing the group’s community come together throughout making the film.”

Now planning is taking place to show a Piece of Mind at the Wigtown Library.

Max added: “We’ve done two screenings to date so far in Ayrshire and we’ve reached out to the council, they seem keen for us to do a showing at the library and we’re hoping to get a date for that quite soon, so watch this space.”