£10k film award for graduate

A DUNCAN of Jordanstone graduate has been awarded £10,000 to produce a new work for next y e a r ’s G l a s g ow F i l m Festival.

Sarah Forrest will receive the 2017 Margaret Tait Awards, which is used to support artists working within film and the moving image.

It is named after the Orcadian documentary maker.

Ms Forrest said: “Tait’s work and approach as a filmmaker and writer has been influential for me, so to receive an award that celebrates her legacy is a humbling experience.”

Her film will explore the history of “second sight” on the Isle of Lewis.

She said: “I will be looking initially at the island’s rich history of prophetic ‘second sight’, drawing from stories that I heard from my mother, who grew up there.

“This work will build on recurring themes that look at appearance, perception, doubt and belief, with the commission being an exciting and significant opportunity for me to explore those in a longer work.”

Nicole Yip, director of LUX Scotland, who support the award along with Creative Scotland, said: “Sarah is an artist who really exemplifies the level of ambition and tireless commitment to the moving image form that the award seeks to recognise.”

Previous winners include Duncan Marquiss, Rachel Maclean and Stephen Sutcliffe.