Local Hero 40th Anniversary Weekender

The 40th anniversary of Scotland’s classic comedy Local Hero will be celebrated with a weekend of events and screenings in Aberdeenshire, from 25 – 28 May.

The Local Hero Weekender will be run by Cinescapes, who specialise in bring communities together to show films in the locations that inspired them.

Bill Forsyth’s film tells the story of an American oil executive who is sent to acquire a Scottish coastal village, and falls in love with the country. It was filmed in several locations across Scotland, including coastal villages Banff and Pennan, which became the film’s fictional village of Ferness, and west coast locations Morar and Arisaig.

Villagers in Pennan will be holding regular screenings of the film, as well as Local Hero themed ceilidhs at their village hall.

The film will also be the highlight of outdoor screenings at Banff Castle on May 26 and 27, and at Portsoy Sail Loft on May 28.

The Weekender also includes a programme of documentaries and family friendly films alongside Scottish classic films Gregory’s Girl and Whisky Galore. Ticket prices have been kept low, with free and pay what you want options available.

Attendees will have the chance to meet and greet with some of the actors from the film. Peter Riegert, who played Mac the Oilman, will join the event at Banff Springs Hotel on May 26 via video link, live from his home in the US. Actors Jimmy Yuill, Jonathan Watson and Tam Dean Burn will attend the Q and A and the screenings in person – and will also meet S1-S3 pupils from Banff Academy to discuss the film and the opportunities offered by the film industry in Scotland.

Founder of Cinetopia, the company behind Cinescapes, Amanda Rogers said: “Ever since I began this project, I have dreamed of staging a screening of Local Hero.

“Local Hero is an utterly charming film which has stood the test of time. We are particularly excited to be working with Jonathan Melville to explore stories behind the making of the film and its impact on the Aberdeenshire area and on the film industry in Scotland.”

The project is supported by Aberdeenshire Council’s Coastal Community Fund, via the Banff and Buchan Area Committee, and Film Hub Scotland.

The film is being re-released in UK cinemas on May 19 by Park Circus.

Nicola Kettlewood, Manager, Film Hub Scotland, says: “The re-issue of Local Hero will allow both a new generation to discover this charming Scottish film, and the rest of us to enjoy it all over again. The film’s depiction of Scotland’s beautiful landscape was made for the big screen and feels even more prescient in this environmentally-conscious time. We’re delighted that Cinescapes are leading activity to celebrate this classic in Aberdeenshire, as they create such inventive and enjoyable cinema events.”

View the full programme and buy tickets here.