Movie premiere was a thrilling experience for young filmmakers
Posted on 29 Jan 2024
Provost Anthea Dickson speaking to some of the young actors following the screening at the Harbour Arts Centre.
Talented young filmmakers are taking their movie on the road after holding a successful premiere in Irvine.
Creative young people from across North Ayrshire teamed up with friends in the New Scots community to make Different Ways – a story about a main character called Stepan, who is new to Scotland and takes a journey through our beautiful countryside and comes across different characters along the way.
Things don’t quite go to plan for Stepan, played by Ukrainian Oleksandr Chmut, as he makes his way to a university open day and he is forced to change plans, take a different path on his travels and interact with people he would not normally engage with.
Various issues that are experienced by New Scots – and, indeed anyone moving to a new country – are reflected on in Stepan’s story.
Following the short film’s recent premiere at Irvine’s Harbour Arts Centre (HAC), Oleksandr said: “It was a real thrill for everyone involved in the making of Different Ways – whether acting, writing the script, behind the camera or editing - to finally see it being shown on the big screen in front of an audience.
“Many of our friends and family were at the HAC premiere along with Provost Anthea Dickson, and we would all like to thank them all for their support.”
The film project is a collaboration between the Council, The Ayrshire Community Trust (TACT) and Vertex Visions, which is an organisation run by volunteers who work to strengthen community engagement and promote cultural activity.
Vertex Visions, based in West Kilbride, arranges and promotes activities including arts events, talks, exhibitions and workshops with support from organisations including the Council.
Provost Dickson said: “This project, with the English for Speakers of Other Languages team and Youth Services, was first class – in the creation of the film, the supplementary film showing how it was made, and the growth, teamwork and confidence of the young people.
“The quality of the project has to be commended and the efforts of the team applauded. I wish them well for their next screenings.”
The movie was filmed in parts of North Ayrshire and other locations in Scotland and was directed by Max McGregor and also stars Lana Shvorak, Maddie McGregor, Nell McGregor, Rana Tatar and Daniel Kerr.
It was written by Max, Oleksandr, Lana, Joseph McIntosh, Archie Nelson, Rawan Idlebi, Rana, Layla Russell and Lucy Russell, who is a Locality Link Worker with the New Scots team.
Valuable contributions to the project were also made by Artem Mosiichuk, Anton Mukovoz, Sofia Medvedchuk, Mariana Al Shrayteh, Mariam Bandakji and Shiraz Al Dieri.
Max said: “Young people, from all different backgrounds, worked together on this project for around 11 months and did everything from writing to editing.
“It was a collaborative effort and everyone was able to contribute ideas. We are very proud of the final result and hope people enjoy it.”
Pupils at Largs Academy will attend a screening of the film in the school in March and it is also being entered in festivals including: Refugee Festival Scotland; The HB Film Festival, World Of Film Festival, Youth in Action Short Film Festival, PTAKH Ukraine International Film Festival, Onyoko Film Awards, Kyiv International Short Film Festival and EuropeNow Film Festival.
You can watch Different Ways here: http://tinyurl.com/46a67e9c and see a behind-the-scenes “making of” clip online at http://tinyurl.com/tpjbnf8f