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Scottish Premiere.

"We drove it to extinction. We brought it back. Can we learn to look it in the eye?"

Witness the dramatic reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle in Britain and the ensuing conflict within Scotland’s rural community. This gripping documentary delves into the compelling story of one of the largest birds of prey on the planet. Persecuted to extinction in Britain a century ago, its reintroduction in the 1970s sparked both hope and controversy. Accusations of livestock killings from Scotland’s rural community ignited a war of words, despite no such records in Norway and ongoing reintroduction efforts in Ireland. This epic documentary pulls back the curtain on the reintroduction process, featuring breathtaking visuals and heart-stopping action, while also turning the lens on the filmmakers themselves. The film explores the deep-seated conflicts and asks a crucial question: can humans learn to coexist with this majestic predator? And if not, what will be the cost of our failure? This is a powerful narrative about conservation, conflict, and the future of our natural world. (Ted Simpson, Ireland/Norway/UK, 92 mins)

www.scout-studio.co.uk/eagle

Followed by a live onstage Q&A with director Ted Simpson.

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About the filmmaker:

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.

With short film:

Nature Attack

Scottish Premiere. A bird’s hunt for crickets becomes a complex journey, symbolising broader themes of conflict, nature, and humanity’s impact. This animated short film blends realism with exaggerated staging, reflecting on the war in Ukraine and humanity’s impact on nature through a moral fable. (Erik Semashkin, France, 3 mins)

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About the Filmmaker:

Erik Semashkin is a Paris-based film student from Ukraine, having moved to France in 2012. He has directed over ten short fiction and animation films, recognised at international festivals. Erik blends experimental, fiction, and animation to explore subjects that resonate with him. His films address critical issues like ecology, overconsumption, and the War in Ukraine. Sensitive to global issues, Erik pushes creative boundaries to craft compelling, thought-provoking narratives.

Followed by:

Closing Night Wrap Drinks

It's a Wrap! After the screening, join us for a nightcap in the Playhouse Bar for our after-celebration with Festival filmmakers and guests. It may be the end of a weekend full of inspiring films, engaging discussions, and a deeper connection with our planet, but it’s just the beginning of our journey to a better future. 

This programme is rated 12A

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