New triumph for UofG backed film

Published: 5 June 2017

Govan Young, a film first-backed by the UofG Chancellor's Fund, has won an international film award.

Govan Young, a film that saw the light of day thanks to a small grant from the UofG's Chancellor's Fund, has won the 'Cultural Exchange Award' at the Seoul Guro International Kid's Film Festival. 

The film had its world premiere at the 9th Lucknow International Children's Film Festival in India earlier this year.

Dr David Archibald of the University’s School of Culture and Creative Arts co-directed and produced the film along with Martin Clark and Cara Connolly from local production company, Connolly Clark Films. 

The film follows a group of local schoolchildren from Govan’s Pirie Park Primary as, aided by Professor Stephen Driscoll, an historical archaeologist at the University of Glasgow, they learn the rarely-told story of the Viking invasion of central Scotland and the subsequent establishment of the medieval kingdom of Strathclyde, which had its spiritual centre in Govan.

David told MyGlasgow News: "There are so many films made these days that it was an honour in itself to be selected for the festival. But when I heard that we’d won the Cultural Exchange Award I was almost lost for words. Almost. I think it’s the first time that anyone has made an acceptance speech at a Korean film festival which focused on the importance of medieval Govan to an understanding of the history of Scotland. It’s been a pleasure to report back to Govan’s Pirie Park primary school that the kids are gracing the silver screen on the international film festival circuit – they are the stars of the film. Where will they pop up next? Watch this space."

Watch the Trailer

You can keep up with the films progress via the Facebook page. 

And twitter account: twitter.com/govanyoungfilm

For more info about the film or to discuss possible screenings, contact David at david.archibald@glasgow.ac.uk


First published: 5 June 2017