World premiere for Scottish film about deer culling and rewilding

A Scottish documentary focusing on deer culls and rewilding in the Highlands is being shown to the world for the first time as part of one of the biggest international festivals showcasing films about outdoor adventure.

The Cull – Scotland’s Deer Dilemma is the directorial debut of filmmaker Ted Simpson and focuses on controversial issues surrounding the ways Scotland’s deer herds and wild landscapes are managed.

It is being screened this evening as part of the World Tour of Canada’s renowned Banff Mountain Film Festival, which includes local showings in Scotland and across the UK.

The documentary, produced by Finbar O'Sullivan, is one of a number of short films being offered for virtual viewing as a result of the cornonavirus pandemic.

Scottish documentary The Cull – Scotland’s Deer Dilemma is being screened for the first time to virtual audiences around the world as part of Canada’s acclaimed Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival

The Cull, which was filmed in the Highlands last winter and put together during lockdown, is the only British film nominated for the mountain environment and natural history category at the festival.

The film crew expressed delight over the film’s inclusion in the festival programme.

Mr Simpson said: “The future of our planet is the biggest story of our generation, with many people battling day to day to better the planet for future generations.

“Our documentary, The Cull - Scotland’s Deer Dilemma, explores the fight for the Scottish Highlands.

The film focuses on the fiery debate over how to manage Scotland's 350,000 red deer and their impact on wild landscapes

“Talking to people from all over the Highlands and on all sides of the debates, the film presents the issues as seen by real people on the ground, witnessing the global themes of 21st century environmentalism in real time, through the wild conflicts that happen on our very doorsteps.

“Ultimately, we want this film to pose questions to the audience – and challenge them to think deeper when we look at ourselves and how we interact with, care for, and perceive our wild spaces – in turn fostering a greater appreciation for our place in them.”

Films featured in the Banff Mountain Film Festival UK and Ireland tour are first showcased at Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, staged in Canada.

The event has been running every November for over 40 years and celebrates all aspects of mountain culture - including photography and literature as well as the world's best mountain and adventure films.

This year’s festival is happening online for the first time, allowing viewers to tune in from their homes anywhere around the world.

The best films entered are later taken on tour to almost 50 countries across the globe.

Nell Teasdale, UK and Ireland tour director for the festival, said: “The 2020 Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour in Scotland went ahead before Covid-19 in January and February to fabulous audiences in venues around the country, including our first ever show in Aberdeen, plus sell-out shows in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Pitlochry and Inverness.

“We can't wait to return to Scotland in 2021 with a brand-new selection of the best films from the latest Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival.”

The Cull is available to download at www.banffcentre.ca until 8 November and costs $8 (about £6). See www.banff-uk.com for more information about the festival.

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