Local Hero 40th anniversary funding application goes before councillors
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A nearly £16,000 funding application from Aberdeenshire Council to celebrate the 40th anniversary of classic film Local Hero went before councillors.
The local authority applied for a £15,768.35 grant from money provided by the Crown Estate's Coastal Communities Fund.
The funding will be used to mark the milestone of the movie during a weekend of screenings held to mark the anniversary and the film's re- release.
It was filmed in Pennan but it has been deemed an unsuitable location for screenings, which will take place in Banff and possibly also in Portsoy.
The Banff and Buchan area committee scrutinised the funding application during its meeting on Tuesday.
In the report that went before councillors it was recommended that they note the application which was approved under delegated powers.
The report said: "When last reported, £15,768.35 remained of the Banff and Buchan budget allocation for 2021/22, carried over to March 2023.
"With the approval of the application for the Local Hero celebrations, the 2021/22 allocation would be fully spent.
"Under delegated powers, the Area Manager has approved an application in the sum of £15,768.35 from Aberdeenshire Council, towards base level activity in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the iconic Scottish film, 'Local Hero'.
"The base level activity would encompass a weekend of screenings, held to mark the anniversary and re -release of the film."
Bill Forsyth's 1983 movie starred Peter Riegert, Burt Lancaster, Denis Lawson and Peter Capaldi.
It tells the story of an American oil company representative who is sent to the fictional village of Ferness on the west coast of Scotland to purchase the community and surrounding property for the firm.
It was filmed locally in Pennan and also Banff's former Ship Inn, which was used for interior bar scenes.
The 40th anniversary celebration screenings will be organised by Cinetopia.
The application for funding said: "The 40th anniversary (in May 2023) of the filming of Local Hero marks a seminal anniversary within Scottish Film History.
"Local Hero is largely considered the film that put Scotland on the cinematic map, and its director, Bill Forsyth, an auteur of Scottish cinema.
"Local Hero is cherished by both Scots and cinephiles across the world. The heart of the film lies in Ferness, the fictional name of the village of Pennan. Pennan’s phone box is at the centre of the film’s story and iconography.
"Amanda Rogers of Cinetopia will deliver the screenings and has invested considerable time and effort into the project.
"Pennan is an unsuitable location for screenings so these will happen in Banff and we are investigating if they can also happen in Portsoy."
The dates, venues and number of screenings have all to be confirmed.
Banff and Buchan area manager Angela Keith told the meeting on Tuesday: "It is important to note that these events aim to complement what the community group in Pennan are preparing to directly showcase the village and also celebrate the 40th anniversary.
"The council is entirely committed to working with the committee and supporting all the events recognising the important history and contribution the film has played to put Scotland on the cinematic map and indeed its director Bill Forsyth."
Councillors accepted the recommendations of the report.
Funding of £125,000 has also been applied for from Screen Scotland.
