Visitors to this year’s Wigtown Book Festival could end up featuring in a film.
Director Jessica Fox and cinematographer Ben Please will be capturing the action across all 10 days when it kicks off on Friday.
Their 15-minute film, provisionally entitled Wigtown – The Movie, will aim to capture the story of how the small community in southern Scotland welcomes thousands of visitors every year.
It is planned to be screened at next year’s edition of the annual festival.
Jessica wrote and directed the multiple, international, award-winning feature film Stella and is also behind a new female-led movie project called Spaghetti Western.
She said much of the movie would be led by those who got involved along the way.
“Wigtown, its festival, people and visitors are amazing,” she said.
“The town’s character, energy, fun, openness to outsiders and sheer sense of community make it a very special place – one that deserves its own movie, a celluloid love letter that captures some of that spirit.
“Some of the film will be scripted and we’ve recruited local people for key roles – but much will be unscripted and will be shaped by who gets involved and what happens during the festival.”
Diary of a Bookseller
Among the residents due to appear are Shaun Bythell, author of the Diary of a Bookseller series and owner of The Book Shop – Scotland’s largest second-hand bookstore.
Festival director Adrian Turpin, who is in charge for the final time before stepping down, said he hoped the film could capture what made Wigtown special.
“Getting residents and visitors involved in a movie project like this is a brilliant idea – and exactly the kind of imaginative project which make the town and the festival such a joy,” he said.
“We are really looking forward to everything getting under way on Friday – there’s just so much happening, so come and join us for as long as you can.”
The festival runs from 26 September to 5 October.
Credit: BBC
