West Side Cinema is hosting a special three day event exploring coastal heritage and culture, with feature length and short films supported by talks, tours and an exhibition.
FISHERNET ORKNEY launches on Friday 31 JULY with an evening reception and Norwegian feature film COASTAL LIFE, supported by three short films: animations PINNIPÈDES and I LIKE IT WHEN YOUR GONE, and the experimental SURFACE by local filmmaker Mark Jenkins.
On Saturday afternoon there’s a collection of Scottish Screen Archive films depicting fishing, boat building and life on the sea, including BANK AHEAD (1963). This charming film about the Otter Bank, Orkney’s floating bank, will be followed by a talk by Jack Drever, secretary of Orkney Historic Boat Society, about the restoration of the Otter Bank.
The evening film on Saturday is an award winning Norwegian documentary THERE WILL BE OIL, supported by the Catalonian short film THE FISH TAMER.
Sundays closing film is a 40th anniversary screening of the blockbuster JAWS. The film has been digitally remastered and will be projected in high definition. The multi-award winning animation ‘BOTTLE’ will screen in support.
But Fishernet Orkney isn’t just about film, there will be many accompanying events happening around the town and all free of charge.
On Saturday and Sunday there will be an exhibition at the Old Commercial Hotel showing fishing cultural heritage of Orkney and in particular Stromness, including an aquarium display by Heriot Watt ICIT and the ‘Stromness fishing heritage trail’ leaflet.
Stromness Museum is hosting two events. On Saturday morning zooarchaeologist Dr. Jennifer Harland (UHI) will give a talk – FROM THE FISH MIDDENS TO THE HERRING: 1,000 YEARS OF FISHING IN ORKNEY. On Sunday morning curator Janette Park will present ‘PER MARE: STROMNESS – SUSTAINED BY THE SEA’.
On Sunday afternoon there will be a series of activities at the Pierhead; Orkney Fishermen’s Society will be in the tent at The Ferry Inn with free samples, there will be a tour of the RNLI lifeboat, Orkney Yole Association will take people out in their yoles for a sail around the harbour, and the European Federation of Sea Anglers are hosting a Parade of Flags & Official Opening Ceremony for their week long European Boat & Line Championships.
Fishernet Orkney runs FRI 31 JULY – SUN 02 AUGUST. Film programmes at West Side Cinema, Stromness Town Hall cost £5/£3 under 16’s. All other events are free.
Look out for posters around the town and pick up a leaflet from Stromness Library, Stromness Museum, Stromness Visitor Centre, Stromness Books & Prints, and other places throughout the town. Full programme details and other activities can be found at:
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