Scottish independent film company Sigma Films celebrates its 15th birthday this year at Glasgow Film Festival with a huge anniversary bash in the form of the World Premiere of David Mackenzie’s You Instead.
Sigma Films was founded circa 1995 by director David Mackenzie, producer Gillian Berrie and actor Alastair Mackenzie. Between them, they production house has produced over 25 features, from their first collaborative feature, Wanting and Getting, to David Mackenzie’s upcoming Perfect Sense, which stars Scottish favourites Ewan MacGregor, Ewen Bremner, and Eva Green. Both set in Glasgow, the successful career of Sigma Film is so-far bookended by home-based features.
In keeping with this exciting rosier of upcoming films, Sigma’s impressive CV also includes well-known Scottish films including Young Adam, Dear Frankie, and Hallam Foe, alongside Lars Von Trier’s beguiling Dogville, starring Nicole Kidman.
Sigma also works in close collaboration with Lars Von Trier’s own production company, Zentropa. The Scottish-Danish Advance Party project has become well-known in Scotland in recent years. A projected trilogy, the series began with the release of Andrea Arnold’s Dogme 95 style Red Road, which blended Danish filmmaking zeitgeist with gritty Glasgow locations. The project aims for every film to be made by a first-time director, filmed and set in Scotland, using the same characters and cast. Red Road was followed up late last year with Morag McKinnon’s black comedy Donkeys, which also premiered here in Scotland.
You Instead, which has its World Premier here at Glasgow Film Festival on Friday (25th February), was shot on location at T in the Park in only 5 days. David Mackenzie took the reins as director, while Gillian Berrie produced and Alistair Mackenzie stars alongside Clash of the Titans star Luke Tradway, Harry Potter‘s Natalia Tena, and Scotland’s very own Gavin Mitchell. You Instead continues the trend of innovative films shot and set in Sigma’s home country, keeping the collaborative spirit alive as all three co-founders work together to create exciting Scottish film.