Affectionately known as ‘HippFest’ this annual event (Wed 21 – Sun 25 March 2018) is Scotland’s only festival dedicated to silent film - recently scooping two accolades in the international ‘Silent London’ poll – bronze for ‘Best Silent Film Festival’ and joint silver for ‘Best Silent Film Venue’ year-round.

This year’s programme is packed with film gems from the silent-era, talks on early cinema pioneers and world-class live music. Multi-instrumentalist David Allison opens the Festival on Wednesday night with his new score written to accompany a rare screening of thrilling adventure film The Last of the Mohicans: the first film adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s classic novel. Broadcaster and renowned musician/composer Neil Brand (BBC4 Sound of Musicals) playing live, accompanies romantic comedy The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg starring ‘the Queen of MGM studios’ Norma Shearer, and celebrated silent film accompanist and composer Stephen Horne and German percussionist Frank Bockius perform their live score for the BFI’s restoration Underground – a subterranean tale of love, jealousy, treachery and murder set in 1920s London. 

Here we speak with Alison Strauss the Director.