Kevin McKidd becomes patron of the Scottish Highlands & Islands Film Commission
Hollywood actor Kevin McKidd has accepted the role as patron of the Scottish Highlands and Islands Film Commission (SHIFC) in his home town at a ceremony marking his appointment. The Los Angeles-based performer, best known for his heroic role in the epic TV series Rome and the recent rom-com movie Made of Honour, celebrated his 35th birthday with family and friends in the Moray town on Saturday.
Talking about his new role for SHIFC, the Trainspotting star went on: “I want to raise awareness of what the Highlands and Islands has to offer to the film and TV industry. I will do anything I can to support the work of promoting film and television production in my home area. “I want film companies to know that not only are there great places to film here but also that there is an infrastructure of accommodation and facilities to support large film productions with crews of up to 300 people."
He added: “If we can bring films to the Highlands and Islands we will reap the economic benefits and there is the bonus of putting the area on the map. That's how you achieve things like the Harry Potter tourist trail in Lochaber.”
Kevin is backing SHIFC's Film Crews Welcome Scheme, which enables film production companies to discover online which hotels and B&Bs have an understanding of their specific needs. This can include preparing breakfast early for film crews or assisting them through their special knowledge of the area.
Kevin also backed a proposal to hold a film festival in Elgin. He said: “I would be dead keen for a festival to take place in the town. I believe there are a lot of talented young people in Moray and such an event would hopefully inspire them to make movies.”
Kevin, who filmed the movie 'One last Chance' with fellow Scot Dougray Scott in Moray, wants to return to his home turf to make more movies. He said “I would love to film again in Moray. I am trying to find scripts to shoot here, maybe a new film of MacBeth.”
Eric McGillivrey, Chair of SHIFC said: “Kevin may be based in Los Angeles but he is passionate about Scotland and his home patch in particular. “We are delighted that he is genuinely interested in supporting film production in Moray and the Highlands and Islands because of the economic benefits it brings. I am sure he will be a big asset for us.”
Kevin was today presented with a kilt in the SHIFC tartan by Eric McGillivrey and film commissioner Trish Shorthouse. The tartan, which Kevin will wear on future occasions to promote SHIFC, has been designed by Johnstons of Elgin.
Johnstons’ SHIFC tartan brings to life the hills, glens, mountains and seascapes of the Highlands. It is based on the Royal Stewart tartan, and the evocative blend of Highland colours incorporates green for the ferns, forest and pastures; blue for the skies; pink and purple for heathers in bloom and white for the myriad burns and surf-swept beaches.
Kevin's comments came amid a new wave of optimism for the film industry in the Highlands and Islands.
A £3.2million Viking epic, Valhalla Rising, where Highland locations are doubling for the Canadian landscape, is filming at the moment, and is expected to bring £2.7million into the Scottish economy. Set in 1000AD, the movie, which stars Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, who played James Bond’s enemy in Casino Royale, is an action adventure.
In addition, scouting operations are currently under way for a couple of major film projects in the Highlands, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
The role of SHIFC is to encourage film and television-related activity in the Highlands and Islands by making it as simple and efficient as possible for film and television companies from around the world to operate in the area.
Over the past five years the Commission has brought £15million into the Highlands and Islands in the form of feature films, TV and commercial films, despite the uncertainty in the industry about UK tax credits. Scotland overall has enjoyed a good year for income from filming with £24million coming in last year.
During the past few years, several high profile films have been shot partly in the Highlands and Islands such as Stardust and The Water Horse and, more recently, Made of Honour, which features scenes filmed on Skye and at Glenelg.
SHIFC is a sponsor of Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams in Nairn, which starts on Friday (August 15) and lasts for eight days. The idea for the festival came from Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton, who lives in the town.
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