Arts / Screenplay to ‘go into retirement’ after 2023 festival
THE SCREENPLAY film festival is set to come to an end next year as its team of curators retire.
Long-term Screenplay director Kathy Hubbard is stepping down following the 2023 event, as are Mark Kermode and Professor Linda Ruth Williams.
Organiser Shetland Arts said “Screenplay itself will also be going into retirement”.
Next year’s festival is planned to be an “extravaganza” to celebrate the last 17 years of Screenplay.
A spokesperson said no like for like replacement for Screenplay is planned at this stage – “however it is early days to plan anything for 2024/5 yet and is certainly not the end of the road for Shetland Arts events celebrating film”.
Over the years Screenplay has seen many famous guests and been known for strands such as Home Made, short films from Shetlanders of all ages and experience, education screenings for local schools, and films from across the world with Q&As.
Screenplay was one of the first major events back in Shetland following the lockdown, returning with a blend of in-person audiences and virtual guests.
In 2022 Screenplay expanded again to welcome in-person guests including Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones, Prometheus, The Alienist), Neasa Ní Chianáin (Young Plato) Jane Mote (My Bones Are Woven), Martyn Robertson (Ride the Wave), and online guest, international legend Werner Herzog.
Shetland Arts chief executive Graeme Howell said “Screenplay 2023 will be a very special celebration of all the hard work, dedication and sheer joy that is Screenplay we know the festival means a lot to many people, both in Shetland and across the world, and we urge you to join us in making Screenplay 2023 especially memorable”.
Hubbard added: “Mark, Linda and I have had some wonderful times curating Screenplay. We’ve been fortunate to make new friends for Shetland, and it has been a privilege to put Shetland firmly on the national and international festival map.”
Screenplay 2023 will be taking place from 29 August – 3 September.
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