Opening for D&G Screenwriters

The Glasgow Media Access Centre has opened its doors to applications from budding filmmakers in Dumfries & Galloway, following on from its recent visit to the region. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 22nd November. Successful applicants will be invited to join the G-MAC Talent Pool and be offered training over a two-month period (evening and weekend sessions) with a view to a possible film commission. The project is open to fledgling writers, directors and producers in the areas of drama, animation and documentary. For more information, visit the G-MAC website, www.g-mac.co.uk or contact the D&G Screen Commissioner, Mark Geddes, on 01387 263 666.

Flash Fiction Prizegiving & Podcast

Flash Fiction Online
Wednesday 1st October, 7pm
Georgetown Library

Readings, drinks and discussion to celebrate the small but perfectly formed...
The winners of D&G Flash Fiction Competition read their stories and look forward to appearing online in a podcast recorded by at the region's indie radio station, Southwest Sound. Some 80 came in from across the region, with the overall winner Sally Jordan of Lockerbie, with her wonderful story, Onions. She receives an original artwork specially commissioned from artist Andrew Foley to illustrate the winning story.

More information from Jules Horne at DGAA on 01387 253383.

Wigtown Poetry Anthology 2005

The 2005 Wigtown Poetry Competition Anthology is out now from Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association and the Wigtown Book Town Company. Produced in association with the Sunday Herald and the Scottish Poetry Library, it includes the winning and commended poems alongside judges' reports from Don Paterson and Aonghas Macneacail. Copies at £3 from DGAA on 01387 253383 (Andrew Forster), or email andrew@dgaa.net.

Eskdale Shoot - New Crime Fiction from the South

The crime fiction wave sweeping the south of Scotland continues with a new thriller just out from William Mutch. Eskdale Shoot is set in the world of rural forestry, and promises to be the first in a series featuring Peter Thorburn as an unwilling amateur sleuth.

On the eve of his wedding, Thorburn finds himself embroiled in a mire of murder, tampered evidence and harassment. Someone is framing him for murder. With his belief in the integrity of the police destroyed, Thorburn takes the investigation into his own hands, leading to a violent climax in Eskdale...

For more on Eskdale Shoot and other books by William Mutch, visit his website.

Scottish Screen Open Meetings

Thursday 26th October
2-4pm
Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries

Scottish Screen is hosting a series of open meetings throughout Scotland during the autumn, aimed at hearing views on how Scottish Screen can best support film and the wider screen sector in the future, particularly now as it prepares to become an important part of Creative Scotland, the new strategic body for all the arts in Scotland. Ken Hay, Chief Executive of Scottish Screen said of the meetings: "I am really pleased to have the opportunity to take Scottish Screen around the country and to meet some of the communities we are here to serve and develop. These are interesting and challenging times for the screen industries in Scotland and we hope these meetings will give people the chance to hear what Scottish Screen are doing and to air their views. I urge everyone with an interest in the future of the screen industries in Scotland to come along and have their say."

If you wish to attend the meeting, please e-mail: rsvpdumfries@scottishscreen.com

Return of Story Nation

Sat 7th October
7.30 pm
St John's Town of Dalry High School
Monday 9th October
Kirkpatrick Durham Hall

Dogstar Theatre Company present...
The Heretic's Tale
A chance to see Hamish MacDonald's play which was part of last year's 'Story Nation' spectacular during his tenure as Robert Burns Fellow. A revised version of the play is currently touring Scotland,and so it's a chance to see something of what you missed, or to refresh your memory with this new version of the play.

Tickets £7.00 (£5.00 concessions) from 01644 420374 (Dalry) or 01387 253383 (Kirkpatrick Durham)