10/02/2010

Three Scottish Screen-supported films – Outcast [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Crying With Laughter and Skeletons – have been selected to screen at the South By Southwest Film Festival (popularly known as SXSW) happening in Austin, Texas (March 12-20).

Starring Kate Dickie (Red Road [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and James Nesbitt (Five Minutes of Heaven [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Colm McCarthy’s Outcast will have its world premiere at the Festival and opens the SX Fantastic strand. Eddie Dick, Scottish producer of the film, said, “I'm delighted that Outcast is premiering at the coolest film festival in the US. It is early recognition that the film is a quality genre movie which will reach out to an international audience.”

Winner of the BAFTA Scotland Best Film 09 Award, Justin Molotnikov’s Crying with Laughter will have its US premiere at the Festival. Claire Mundell, the film’s producer said, “The festival will provide a fantastic platform to introduce the film to American audiences and to showcase some great Scottish talent.”

And Edge City and Forward Films’ Skeletons will also enjoy its US premiere at the festival. The film’s director Nick Whitfield said, “When an exciting and prestigious festival says your film is ‘gorgeous, original and wonderful’, you’ve got to be happy.”

SXSW programmer Jim Kolmar said, “SXSW is consistently impressed with the talent and sheer originality emerging from Scotland’s vibrant film industry. This year is no exception, and we're thrilled to be playing host to some of the country's finest.”

Carole Sheridan, head of Talent and Creativity, Scottish Screen, said, “SXSW is one of the key festivals in the US with a great reputation for spotting exciting projects and talent. Scottish bands have done very well at the festival in the past and I am therefore delighted that we have three films there this year.”