Filmmakers race around Aberdeen to create 14 films about rowies

As many as 14 film crews are running wild in the streets of Aberdeen this weekend to create a film about rowies.

It's all part of the Aberdeen 48 Hour Film Project, which has returned to the Granite City after an 8-year hiatus.

Film crews gathered Friday at Cineworld Union Square, where they each drew film genres out of a hat. Whatever genre they drew - sci fi, comedy, horror, romance - that is the genre they are using for their film.

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Then a character, prop and line of dialogue were announced that must be included in each film. This year's elements are:

• Iain or Iona Ferguson, Guard

• A rowie

• "What's for dinner?"

Teams write their films Friday night, shoot on Saturday, edit on Sunday and turn in their mini-masterpieces Sunday night.

All films are screened at Cineworld Aberdeen Union Square on Saturday, November 16, 7pm, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and a glittering Awards Party complete with red carpet photography and the presentation of the Golden Rowie Award for Best Film!

The winning film crew will win £1,500 towards their trip to Filmapalooza, the 48 Hour Film Project Festival to be held in Seattle, Washington in March 2025.

Audiences at the screening can also vote for their favourite film, and other awards are announced in 15 categories, including Best Use of Rowie!

Tickets are now on sale and are expected to sell out, so advance booking is recommended.

Film crews have come from across Scotland to participate, but there's a lot of local homegrown talent too, including Crow House Projects and Chaos Box Productions.

The 48 Hour Film Project is the world's largest filmmaking competition, taking place in over 130 cities around the world each year.

It is produced in Scotland by Sam Goldblatt and Louise Knowles, where it is Scotland's biggest filmmaking event, taking place in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.

All films are judged by top industry professionals. Previous judges include Aberdeen natives Gaynor Holmes, Executive Producer of BBC Scotland, and Carolynne Sinclair Kidd, Hopscotch Films producer of film and TV.

Aberdeen natives Rose Leslie and Jon S. Baird have been approached to join the judging panel, and while it is unlikely these Hollywood A-listers will be able to fit it into their busy schedules, one thing is certain - the 48 Hour Film Project is bringing Aberdeen filmmakers national and international attention.

Louise Knowles, a Balmedie quine, said: "There are so many talented and creative people here in Aberdeen and the North East and we want to shine a spotlight in their direction.

"As a native of Aberdeenshire I know that there are so many amazing locations to showcase here, that are so often overlooked on screen. I'm really proud to be bringing the 48 Hour Film Project hame!"

Sam Goldblatt added: "It's not often you see a rowie on the big screen, and we'll get to see 14 of them! I want to see Aberdeen on the big screen - Codona's, Storybook Glen, the Maritime Museum, Fittie, Belmont Street - it's Aberdeen's time to shine!"