The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
‘Most successful’ film festival ends on a high
The fifteenth Inverness Film Festival came to a triumphant end on Sunday evening with organisers describing it as the “most successful ever”.
Festival director Paul Macdonald-Taylor said: “I am delighted by the reaction to the line-up this year.
“The audiences really connected with the films and it is fantastic that so many people came out and enjoyed the festival.”
The success of the closing night alone seemed to underline Mr MacdonaldTaylor’s remarks as it attracted the crowds for three potential Oscar contenders.
One of the top draws was a dark satire set in the world of modern art called The Square that has already won the Palme D’Or at Cannes.
Alongside that was the James Franco-directed comedy The Disaster Artist, about the true story of the making of The Room, often called one of the worst films ever.
Top of the bill and closing out the festival was the sold-out screening of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri starring Woody Harrelson and Frances McDormand.
Despite the tough competition it was The Disaster Artist that managed to scoop the 2017 Audience Award.
Over the festival’s five days a total of 3,000 tickets were sold at the Eden Court box office for 60 screenings including 27 Scottish premieres and one world premiere.
The festival had films for audiences of all ages and interests and included the Scottish premiere of the acclaimed The Florida Project, starring Willem Dafoe.