We are excited for the arrival of acclaimed filmmakers and distinguished guest speakers in Montrose for this year's festival. Below, you'll find a list of our expected guests who will be attending.

Where a guest is coming, they will be participating in live onstage Q&A sessions after the screening of their film. We can't wait to share these films with you and hear your questions!

Please continue to check back for updates, as more attendees are still in the process of confirming. 

As always with live events, guest attendance is never guaranteed.

Friday 13 September

Billy and Susan Mail, protagonists of Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story

Billy and Susan Mail are the heartwarming couple featured in National Geographic's stunning new documentary. After moving to Shetland, Billy formed an unexpected bond with an orphaned otter named Molly, reigniting his passion for wildlife. Susan, initially apprehensive, grew to embrace Molly as part of their family. Together, they share their unique journey of love, connection, and the profound impact of wildlife on their lives, as beautifully captured in the documentary.

The Scottish Premiere of Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story opens the festival at 7:30pm. This show will be hosted by Anthony Baxter and Rachel Caplan.

Saturday 14 September

Join the discussion at our Coastal Erosion Summit at 10:00am. Panellists include: 

John Adams, originally from Ulverston, Cumbria, moved to Montrose in 1977 after working on nuclear reactors for submarines. He later established a successful engineering business in Montrose. Since joining the Board of Montrose Golf Links in 2013, John has focused on coastal erosion management, particularly as the golf course has been severely impacted. He has contributed critical data to the DynamicCoast project and installed CoastSnap monitoring posts at Montrose and St. Cyrus, playing a key role in addressing erosion issues in the region.

Dave Doogan MP is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Angus since 2019 and, following boundary changes, for Angus and Perthshire Glens since 2024. With a background as an Aircraft Engineer specialising in Sea King Search and Rescue Aircraft, Doogan transitioned to politics, earning a first-class MA in Politics and International Relations. He has held various SNP spokesperson roles, including Defence and Energy Security and Net Zero.

Prof. Jim Hansom is a leading researcher in coastal erosion, serving as Honorary Professor at the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow. He has played a pivotal role in the Dynamic Coast project, which has transformed how Scotland addresses coastal erosion and climate change. Winner of the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Award, his work has directly influenced national policies and adaptation strategies. Prof. Hansom is committed to enhancing coastal resilience in the face of rising sea levels. He appears in You've Been Trumped, showing in our pop-up cinema on 14 & 15 Sept.

Kate Munro (panel moderator) leads the the new Angus Climate Hub for SCCAN (Scottish Communities Climate Action Network) and is dedicated to connecting people, skills, and communities to create positive change. A founding member of Sustainable Kirriemuir and a wildlife filmmaker with over 10 years of experience, Kate is passionate about the power of collective action to tackle global challenges. She focuses on empowering communities to shape a better future in a changing climate.

A Montrose native and Montrose Academy alumnus, Dave Wood retired after a 40-year career in the Oil and Gas industry, focusing on finance and project management. Passionate about the economic and social benefits of Montrose Beach and Links green space, Dave advocates for informed community engagement in coastal erosion and flood risk planning. Since 2022, he has led the Montrose Community Council Coastal Erosion Group, working to improve public awareness, access to information, and community involvement in erosion and flood risk projects.

Join this vital discussion at our Coastal Erosion Summit at 10:00am, tickets are free.

Dr Saoirse Higgins, director of Between Seas [Is-Land]

Dr. Saorise Higgins is an artist and researcher, works between Papa Westray in Orkney and Ireland. Holding a PhD from Glasgow School of Art Innovation School, her work reconfigures our relationship with the Anthropocene and addresses environmental change. Saoirse's research examines micro-macro scales of time and 'trickle-up' action for change. She creates benchmark narratives and tools for transformational action, collaborating with expert and non-expert networks within island edge contexts and communities.

See Between Seas [Is-Land] as part of the Sea Rising short films programme at 12:00pm. This show will be hosted by Graham Black.

Alice Hughes, producer of Frontier Town and Puffling

Alice Hughes is an award-winning producer based in London, UK, known for her diverse and captivating films. Her work has garnered recognition at prestigious festivals like SXSW, Sundance London, AFI Docs, and Palm Springs, earning multiple Grierson and BIFA nominations. Her debut feature Half Way led to a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit award and a BIFA nomination. Her short film Puffling premiered at SXSW 2023, winning the Oscar Qualifying Jury Award at Aspen Shortsfest. Alice runs Beehive Films, focusing on socially-driven, character-centric films.

See the Scottish Premiere Frontier Town as part of See the Sea Rising short films programme at 12:00pm; and the Scottish Premiere of Puffling at 2:50pm

Selma Rún Scheving Jónsdóttir, puffin rescuer and protagonist in Puffling

Selma Rún is a teenager living on the remote Icelandic island of Vestmannaeyjar, where she devotes her summer nights to rescuing lost pufflings. Balancing typical teenage life with her deep connection to nature, Selma embodies a sense of duty, rescuing pufflings that mistake city lights for the moon. Her story, depicted in the film Puffling, highlights the intrinsic bond between her and the island's wildlife, illustrating a unique and intimate approach to climate action.

See the Scottish Premiere of Puffling at 2:50pm. This show will be hosted by Fiona Guest.

Caroline Strong and Danny Strong, directors of The Bough Breaks

With nearly 40 years in media, Caroline Strong is a director, writer, actress, and voice-over artist for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, BBC Radio, and the National Theatre. Passionate about conservation, she co-founded Mousehole Films to produce Natural History content. Her debut feature, The Village on the Loch (2018), won 14 festival awards. Currently, she co-directs her second feature, The Bough Breaks, blending media expertise with her love for the natural world.

Danny Strong makes his directorial debut with The Bough Breaks, co-directed with Caroline Strong for Mousehole Films. His journey began in 2014 at Trees for Life. He directs short films, with two receiving commendations in the 2018 British Wildlife Photography Awards. Danny also presents The Outside In, a YouTube wildlife series. An ecological consultant, he works with NatureScot and The James Hutton Institute, holding an MSc in Ecology and Conservation and a BSc in Environmental Science.

See The Bough Breaks at 2:50pm. This show will be hosted by Fiona Guest.

Rachel Sarah, director of Finding Bo

Rachel Sarah is a Scotland-based filmmaker and photographer, specialises in adventure sport and environmental stories. She has collaborated with brands like Patagonia, MPB, and Merrell, creating documentaries, short films, and commercial campaigns. Known for her diverse styles and ability to capture human connections with nature, Rachel works globally, ensuring each project is impact-assessed. Whether tracking wildlife, climbing mountains, or filming in the sea, she inspires positive environmental action and explores the bond between health and nature.

Karen Miller, protagonist of Finding Bo

Karen Miller is a passionate wildlife photographer based in the Scottish Highlands. Specialising in capturing animals in their natural habitats, Karen offers guiding and workshops on subjects like red squirrels, crested tits, and mountain hares. Since moving to the Highlands in 2019, she has embraced the area's abundant wildlife. Discover her work at karenmillerphotography.co.uk

See the World Premiere of Finding Bo at 8:15pm. This show will be hosted by Eternity Uwaifo.

Cara Holmes, director of Notes from Sheepland (Virtual Q&A)

Cara Holmes is a film editor and director with a diverse portfolio of feature and short documentaries. Her editing credits include Piano Dreams, Father of the Cyborgs, and Lost in France. She directed Welcome To A Bright White Limbo, which earned a Special Jury mention at Tribeca 2020 and an IFTA for Best Short Film. Her latest film, Notes from Sheepland, won Best Documentary at the 2023 Dublin International Film Festival.

See the UK Festival Premiere of Notes from Sheepland at 8:15pm. This show will be hosted by Eternity Uwaifo.

Sunday 15 September

Dominic Allen, director, and Andy Evans, film's protagonist of Planet Wind (Virtual Q&A)

Dominic Allen is an award-winning Australian director and producer known for his diverse work across films, music videos, commercials, VR, and documentaries. He gained recognition with his debut documentary Estudio 101 and has since directed acclaimed projects like I Am Samuel and Grey Matter. Dominic founded ReddogsVR, creating the internationally recognized VR experience Carriberrie. In 2023, he co-founded Sky Flyk, producing the documentary Planet Wind and developing Planet Sun.

Andy Evans is the Co-Founder and CEO of Oceanex Energy, pioneering offshore wind development in Australia. He co-founded the Star of the South Wind Farm, Australia’s first and most advanced offshore wind project, where he served as CEO for seven years. After stepping down, Andy launched Oceanex Energy, focusing on floating offshore wind projects in Australia and New Zealand. He recently produced Planet Wind, exploring wind energy's role in driving the energy transition.

See the UK Festival Premiere of Planet Wind at 11:00am.

Daniesky Acosta, director of Cuban Bees: The Organic Revolution

Daniesky Acosta, born in 1983 in rural eastern Cuba, moved to Havana in his teens, working on his family’s organic farm and studying digital design. Relocating to London in 2007, he graduated with a first-class degree in Media and Design from London Metropolitan University. Acosta has worked as a developer, designer, video editor, and event organiser. In 2020, he founded DaniFilms and directed documentaries on Cuba's response to COVID-19 and climate change, premiering at COP26.

See Cuban Bees at 2:10pm.

Blake McWilliam, director, and Frances Ward, film's protagonist, of SEND KELP! (Virtual Q&A)

Blake McWilliam is an award-winning Canadian director and producer based in Edmonton, Alberta. His work spans narrative, commercial, and music video formats, focusing on film aesthetics. His productions have been featured at leading international film festivals. SEND KELP! marks his directorial debut in documentary filmmaking.

Frances Ward, a passionate kelp farmer and self-proclaimed "Seaweed Nerd," stars in the documentary SEND KELP! as she embarks on a mission to establish a kelp farm off the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. With her infectious can-do attitude, Frances is committed to promoting sustainable kelp farming as a solution to environmental challenges like climate change and declining fish populations. Her journey has inspired many to explore the potential of this rapidly growing industry.

See the UK Premiere of SEND KELP! at 2:10pm.

Louisa Jones and Vladimir Morozov, directors of Plan Z: From Lab Coats to Handcuffs

Louisa Jones and Vladimir Morozov are two creatives who became friends through three years of documenting climate protest in the UK. They coordinated the multi-camera livestreaming team that broadcast some of Extinction Rebellion UK’s biggest moments and worked on pop-up indie media channel, COP26.tv, throughout the 2021 Glasgow climate conference. Their boots-on-the-ground footage has been featured by news channels from the BBC to Al Jazeera Arabic. This is their first documentary film.

See the World Premiere of Plan Z at 5:10pm. This show will be hosted by Anthony Baxter.

Eleanor Church, director of X Trillion (Virtual Q&A)

Eleanor Chruch is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer. Specialising in documentary, investigative, and creative projects, her work focuses on society, environment, women, human rights, and migration. Eleanor's films have influenced policy changes and featured clients like Action Against Hunger, Guardian US, and International Red Cross. She has worked in 35 countries and her work has been widely published. X Trillion is her first feature documentary.

See X Trillion at 5:10pm. This show will be hosted by Anthony Baxter.

Ted Simpson, director of The Eagle with the Sunlit Eye

Ted Simpson is a documentary filmmaker focused on stories where people and nature collide. He is best known for his debut feature, The Cull - Scotland’s Deer Dilemma, a thought-provoking film on deer management and rewilding in the Scottish Highlands. Co-created with producer Finbar O’Sullivan, it won Best Environmental Film at Kendal Mountain Festival and Best Natural History and Mountain Environment Film at Banff Mountain Festival in 2020. His latest work, The Eagle With The Sunlit Eye, continues to win awards internationally.

The Scottish Premiere of The Eagle with the Sunlit Eye closes the festival at 7:50pm. This show will be hosted by Anthony Baxter and Rachel Caplan.

Meet the Awards Jury, 13-15 September

We are honoured to introduce our esteemed jury for this year's North Light Award. The Award will be presented by the Jury at Closing Night, Sunday 15th at 7:50pm.

Lia Furxhi holds a degree in History of Cinema from the University of Turin and has extensive experience as a production manager in independent films. She has been instrumental in organising cultural initiatives, including festivals and the establishment of the Italian Short Film Center. In 2024, Lia took on the role of director at CinemAmbiente - Environmental Film Festival in Turin, where she continues to advocate for environmental storytelling through cinema, merging her passion for film with cultural engagement.

Kate Munro leads the the new Angus Climate Hub for SCCAN (Scottish Communities Climate Action Network) and is dedicated to connecting people, skills, and communities to create positive change. A founding member of Sustainable Kirriemuir and a wildlife filmmaker with over 10 years of experience, Kate is passionate about the power of collective action to tackle global challenges. She focuses on empowering communities to shape a better future in a changing climate.

Paul Sng is a bi-racial British Chinese filmmaker based in Edinburgh and London, known for his focus on individuals challenging the status quo. His acclaimed films, including DISPOSSESSION, POLY STYRENE: I AM A CLICHÉ (winner of BIFA 2021 Best Documentary), and TISH (Sheffield DocFest 2023 Opening Gala), have been broadcast on television and screened internationally. A BAFTA Breakthrough Artist in 2022, Paul is celebrated for his bold, emotionally resonant films that highlight creative storytelling and collaboration.

More guests to be announced. Please sign-up for our newsletter and follow @LandxSeaFest on social channels for all the latest news and updates.