Moviescramble had a chance to catch up with Andrew Doig, one of the founders and organisers of the Loch Ness Film Festival. What followed was an honest take on independent filmmaking in Scotland.
What made you start up the festival?
What made us start up the festival was from going to other festivals and seeing it was all art house driven and the people who run this were arty farty, and from watching shorts on youtube and vimeo we knew there were better and more entertaining filmmakers from all over the world out there to showcase.
Have you had much support from bodies such as Creative Scotland and local councils?
Zero,we never expected much help from them in the first place, as we are not connected with anyone in that environment.
Overall how do you feel the quality of filmmaking is?
The filmmaking quality is good, the acting and sound could be improved in most films we get submitted but we know the struggles most filmmakers have to put up with just to make a film, and more money would solve this.
Do you focus more on Scottish filmmaking?
We focus more on Scottish Filmmaking as it gives them the chance and opportunity to see their film on the big screen in a theatre which is a rare occasion especially in the highlands and we like the festival to have a more community local feel. It’s a good opportunity for scottish guys either amateur or professional to mix and network.
What do you hope to achieve from the festival?
Just to keep the festival going and surviving.
There are so many film festivals in Scotland alone these days; what separates Loch Ness from the rest?
Loch Ness is a unique location so great excuse to come to the highlands to an iconic location and we try and lay on the hospitality and give the festival a warmth and charm and show some entertaining narrative driven films.
Do you agree that filmmaking is a middle class career choice?
Definitely and Ive been to workshops run by professionals before and you will never find out how this person survives financially on a day to day basis and how they pay their mortgage. Arts councils want to see what they are interested in, not what the people are interested in.
What advice would you give to any of the film-makers out there?
Filmmaking used to be out of reach of everyone due to price but that has come down and now people can hire equipment cheaply for a few days or buy a dslr camera, most important thing if you want to make films it learn how to edit and get good editing software like final cut pro, therefore your destiny is in your own hands, if you want actors try your mates out or go to local drama clubs and see if anyone is interested. You have to be patient and shoot around other peoples schedule, not your own schedule.
Will you be back next year?
We are in the process of getting the website professionally redesigned, which is really the final piece of the jigsaw and speak to venues about dates for next year and then hibernation.
Andrew Doig is an independent filmmaker who along with his Father William, founded the Loch Ness Film Festival in 2010.
For anyone looking for more information on the festival please visit
- Maniac Cop – Review - December 6, 2024
- Speak No Evil (2024) – Review - September 15, 2024
- Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves - March 31, 2023
This is a fantastic festival, very friendly and fun. The films I saw there were a bit different from the run of the mill stuff, some great new ideas and styles.
The best Film Festival I have ever had the privilage of attending by far. The location is stunning, the films on show are excellent and the people who organise it all and those who attend are all first rate. Much is made of Highland hospitality, and in my view this Festival exemplifies all that is best about it.
There are no huge egos on display here, just an honest display of the joy to be had in film making and sharing that with the people behind the films screened. Actors, directors, producers, D.O..P.s, writers, there are a helluva lot of talented people there who truly relax and enjoy the experience.
The chance to meet with said film makers and share ideas is tremendous and if anyone is wondering about submitting a film, then wonder no more. It is a tremendous experience to be there and soak everything up.
Here’s hoping the Festival goes from strength to strength in the years to come as I’ve no doubt it will.