New Producers: Unmissable events for Scottish screens

This year, four New Producers’ have collaborated with established film organisations to deliver accessible screenings for audiences across Scotland. 

Our New Producers’ programme is a paid training opportunity for early-career film event producers. The programme offers a pathway into the film exhibition sector to nurture – and remove barriers for – the next generation of talent. 

Each year, the four New Producers’ design, curate and deliver film screenings in partnership with their host organisation. This year’s New Producers are:

• Caireen Stuart – Scottish Documentary Institute
• Michael Lee Richardson – Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF)
• Archie Kershaw – North East Arts Touring
• Olivia Knight – MacRobert Arts Centre

Ahead of their upcoming events this Autumn, we spoke to the New Producers’ about their inventive, and accessible, film events.

Michael Lee Richardson | Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival

Working with Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF), Michael has curated a diverse line-up of film screenings that centre timely conversations around art and mental health:

• A Want In Her (2024, dir. Myrid Carten) + Q&A | Mon 20 Oct (8.15pm) | Edinburgh Filmhouse
  An unforgettable and evocative first feature from Irish visual artist Myrid Carten as she turns the camera on the complex dynamics of her relationship with her alcoholic mother. 
• An Angel at My Table (1990, dir. Jane Campion) in 35mm | Tues 21 Oct (7.30 – 10.25pm) | Dundee Contemporary Arts
  A rare opportunity to see the sophomore feature which catapulted renowned filmmaker Jane Campion to international acclaim in 35mm.
• Diagnonsense (2024, dir. Ane-Martha Tamnes Hansgård) | Wed 22 Oct (6-8pm) | Uni of Aberdeen
  After receiving serious psychiatric diagnoses, director Ane-Martha Tamnes Hansgård began documenting her life. The result: a unique cinematic universe based on her experiences.
• Film Line-Up in Glasgow | 6 – 8 Nov | CCA and The Social Hub
  Selected from over 450 submissions, SMAHF’s programme features a rich mix of features, shorts and documentaries from Scotland and around the world. Pay-what-you-can-tickets and descriptive subtitles available.

“Almost all of my previous work has been in Glasgow and Edinburgh, so it’s been really exciting to work in Dundee and Aberdeen and start building connections and meeting audiences in those cities.

I’m also particularly excited to be featuring a 35mm screening of An Angel at my Table as part of the programme – it’ll be the first time I’ve shown a film like that, rather than digitally, so it feels really special. It’ll also be the first time I’ve seen the film on the big screen.”

– Michael Lee Richardson

Olivia Knight | MacRoberts Art Centre

Olivia has curated events as part of MacRoberts’ annual film festival, Central Scotland Documentary Festival (30 Oct – 3 Nov), alongside events for MacRoberts wider programme:

• The Librarians (2025, dir Kim A. Snyder) | The Book Nook, Stirling | Fri 31 Oct, 7.30pm
  Join this unique documentary viewing experience taking place at Stirling’s indie bookshop café: The Book Nook. The Librarians follows a group of librarians who, during an unprecedented wave of book banning across the USA, join forces as unlikely defenders fighting for intellectual freedom. Get tickets here.
• March to Aldermaston/Neighbours: Short-doc double-bill | MacRobert Art Centre | Mon 3 Nov, 2.30pm
  A double-bill of films made in the 1950s which show how the shadow of the atomic bomb shaped the creative work of two Scottish filmmakers whose personal and working papers are held in the University of Stirling Archives. Introduced by Karl Magee, University Archivist, and co-curator of the University of Stirling’s exhibition, REMEMBERED: in the Archive. Get tickets.

March to Aldermaston/Neighbours is part of a wider collaboration with the University of Stirling and their new exhibition, Remembered: Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The second screening will take place as part of MacRobert’s general cinema programme:

• Grave of Fireflies (1988, dir. Isao Takahata) | Thurs 6 Nov 7.30pm | MacRobert Art Centre
  Based on the personal accounts of World War Two survivor, Nosaka Akiyuki, Grave of the Fireflies is hailed as one of the most stunning contributions to animation and cinematic history. Get tickets.

Additionally, Olivia has been organising MacRobert’s contribution to BFI’s Too Much: Melodrama on Film season. Each ticket will include a limited-edition art print inspired by the film, created by local artist, Zilja Brøndum-Eklund. People can come to all three screenings to collect the full set.

• All That Heaven Allows (1955, dir. Douglas Sirk) | Wed 19th Nov, 7.45pm – Get tickets
• Volver (2005, dir. Pedro Almodovar) | Thurs 11th Dec, 7.30pm  – Get tickets
• Brief Encounter (1945, dir. David Lean) | Wed 17th Dec, 7.30pm – Get tickets

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the Central Scotland Documentary Festival, contributing to such a varied and exciting programme.

I’m particularly excited to be screening The Librarians at local cafe/bookshop, The Book Nook, as I feel passionate about creating unique and engaging viewing experiences. I can’t wait to see their beautiful venue bring the film to life!”

– Olivia Knight

Archie Kershaw | North East Arts Touring (NEAT)

Archie has created Mither Earth Film Festival, drawing inspiration from the Doric word for “mother” — mither — combined with earth. The name reflects both the festival’s local roots, and its shared focus on the environment and sustainability.

• Planet of the Apes (1968) | Wed 19 Nov (7.30pm) | The Barn, Banchory
  An iconic sci-fi classic to launch the festival and spark discussion on humanity’s relationship with nature and progress. Will include a pre-screening engagement activity.
• Ad Astra (2019) | Thurs 20 Nov (7pm – stargazing starts 9:15pm) | Braes of Glenlivet Hall, Glenlivet
  This screening will be followed by stargazing, delivered in collaboration with Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust.
• Erin Brockovich (2000) | Fri 21 Nov (7pm) | Victoria & Albert Halls, Ballater
  This iconic film spotlights the importance of community action in fighting for clean water and justice, screening in partnership with Ballater CAN.
• Wall-E (2008) | Sat 22 Nov (11.30am) | Huntly Film
  For young audiences, WALL-E will be followed by a creative colouring in session, where young people can design a new world for Wall-E to live in.

Ticket links coming soon at: neatshows.org.uk/all-events. 

“What excites me about this project is the coming together of my love for film, passion for climate change and the knowledge I have learnt from my sociology degree.

Working in rural areas and taking cinema to them is extremely fulfilling, particularly whilst furthering awareness of climate.”

– Archie Kershaw

Caireen Stuart | Scottish Documentary Institute

Caireen has worked with Scottish Documentary Institute to develop Who We Are – a new season of documentaries for young audiences that celebrate what makes us who we are. The season offers three special screenings at Edinburgh Filmhouse this November, each at sliding-scale ticket prices. 

• Endless Cookie (2025, dir. Seth Scriver) + recorded intro | Wed 26 Nov (5.45pm) | Filmhouse, Edinburgh
  This animated documentary from Canada explores the complex bond between two half brothers, one Indigenous, one white, spanning bustling 1980s Toronto to the present day isolated First Nations community of Shamattawa. 
• Speak Out!: Runa Sumi (2025, dir. Augusto Zegarra) + intro & workshop | Sat 29 Nov (3pm) | Filmhouse, Edinburgh 
  This special screening Runa Simi is a powerful call to action for Indigenous representation and language justice. The screening will be followed by a surprise language activity. 
• New Voices / Old Stories: Young Scots on Screen + Q&A & competition | Sun 30 Nov (2pm) | Closed Captions
  These short documentaries – made by Scottish directors – explore tradition, identity and community through the eyes of young Scots. This event is in collaboration with The Crannie Community Hub, a member of the Local Cinema Network. 

“At the heart of this programme is a commitment to building community and meaningful connections.

I’m particularly excited for the Q&A panel following the New Voices / Old Stories screening event. I think it’s so important for young audiences to have the opportunity to make connections with their peers, to share experiences and find out what it’s like to be in a documentary film. I’m really excited to see where the conversation goes!”

– Caireen Stuart

Tickets available at: www.filmhouse.org.uk/home. 

Got a question? Email us at: info@filmhubscotland.com.