RED THISTLES - A Pictish Short Film

Help Bring the Epic Story of Red Thistles to Life – A Pictish Film Set in Early Medieval Scotland!

Welcome to the official fundraising campaign for Red Thistles, a gripping 16-minute short film that blends historical drama with mythic undertones. Set in the heart of Pictish Scotland, Red Thistles is a story about integrity, self-worth, and the dangers of comparing yourself to others, all set against the haunting beauty of ancient Scotland.

THE STORY

When Talorc, Prince of a small Loch settlement, is crowned as one of the eight Kings of Pictish Scotland, he finds himself overwhelmed by the grandeur and authority of the other Kings. Feeling inferior and desperate to be respected, Talorc plans to distance himself from his humble origins by courting a captivating Pagan Goddess. With her by his side, he believes his Kingship will finally be unquestioned.

Driven by his obsession, Talorc finds himself taking increasingly ruthless measures to win her favour, and ultimately, his own downfall.

WHY SUPPORT THIS FILM?

A Story That Speaks to Today's World:

In an image-obsessed world dominated by social media, Red Thistles explores the dangers of letting our perceptions of success dictate our worth. Through the lens of history, this film offers a timeless message about integrity, the pressures of comparison, and the toll it can take on our lives.

A True and Accurate Portrayal of Pictish Culture:

Unlike many portrayals of the Picts in television and film, we are committed to bringing their world to life authentically. Along with the extensive research that has gone into developing the script, we are collaborating closely with the Scottish Crannog Centre, an exceptional museum and charity, and local expert and craftsman Hamish Lamley of Pictavia Leather. We’re striving to create the most accurate representation of Pictish culture on screen.

“This is a unique chance to banish the outdated mindset of who the Picts were, and instead tell a compelling story, whilst celebrating the material culture of Early Medieval Scotland. My part is to explore the visual identity of the Picts, and bring their ancient craftsmanship and artistry to life.” - Hamish Lamley

Supporting Local Communities

A significant portion of the budget for Red Thistles will be directed towards the local area, communities and people. By collaborating with local artisans, historians, and craftspeople, we ensure that the Pictish cultural elements are accurately represented, while also stimulating the local economy. The production will create employment opportunities for residents, from set design and costume creation to catering and logistics, fostering both cultural and financial growth within the community. This approach not only enriches the film’s authenticity but also strengthens ties with the area’s heritage, celebrating the Pictish legacy in a way that directly benefits its modern inhabitants.

HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL BE USED

We are incredibly grateful for your support as we bring this short film to life. The funds raised through this campaign will be used to cover essential production costs, including equipment, locations, costumes, cast, crew and post-production work. We are committed to making Red Thistles regardless of whether we reach our goal or not, however, the total funds we receive will directly impact the final result, from the quality of the visuals to the overall production value. We are also in the process of seeking additional funding, and the success of this GoFundMe will play a crucial role in securing further support. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to making this film a reality and ensuring it reaches its fullest potential. Thank you so much for being part of this journey with us!

We are also very proud to announce that 10% of the money raised through this campaign will go directly to The Scottish Crannog Centre to help support their dedication to the education and archaeology of ancient Scottish history.

With an eye to going to Series, this stirring Scottish landscape-based film blends historical drama with mythic tales, offering a story that resonates with modern audiences. Join us in bringing this enchanting tale to life!

THE TEAM

Lewis Ward

Writer/Director

Lewis Ward is an award-winning writer and director with a passion for Scottish history.

Ward has a diverse portfolio spanning both film and television, his work has been showcased at film festivals around the world, and he has worked with leading networks such as the BBC, Netflix, Channel 4, Discovery, and MTV.

Recently, Ward co-wrote and directed the acclaimed short film Baggage, a dark comedy about a young ex-couple trying to dispose of a dead body. He also directed the music video for the single "Decent Weather" by this is sophie’s.

Ward’s earlier projects, including Pan-Fried Guerrillas and The Horn, were selected for various film festivals. His music video for Ro Bradley's single "Take Me to Paradise" premiered at Miss World Barcelona and aired on Vevo, where it garnered over 500,000 views online.

Mary MacLeod

Producer

Mary MacLeod is a seasoned executive producer with a

25+ year track record in film and TV, known for her lightning-speed development and solid completion of standout quality projects whilst keeping a keen eye on both box office and critical success. MacLeod is currently working on a slate of film and TV projects.

Previously, MacLeod was Feature Film Development Director for BAFTA-winning Hurricane Films, where with swift succession, she executive produced a slate of exceptional features.

Her feature A Quiet Passion (dir. Terence Davies) starring Cynthia Nixon, Keith Carradine, Miles Richardson was premiered at the Berlin Film Festival ; The New Yorker called it an 'absolute drop-dead masterwork" and it went on to win Best Film at the Ghent Film Festival

MacLeod's other credits include 'Sunset Song' (dir. Terence Davies) starring Agyness Deyn, Peter Mullan which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, 'Sometimes Always Never' (dir. Carl Hunter) starring Bill Nighy, Jenny Agutter, Tim McInnerny, Alice Lowe premiered at the London Film Festival, 'Under the Mud ' which won Hurricane a European mentoring award for developing the film and 'My Letter to the World' featuring Cynthia Nixon launched at The Morgan Museum New York.'

Tamás A. Méder

Cinematographer

Tamás A. Méder is an award-winning cinematographer from Transylvania, currently based in London.

Last year, Méder's short film Praeis (directed by Dovydas Draksas) was showcased and competed at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2020, he won the BSC Short Film Cinematography Competition Award for his work on Summer Shade, which was also featured in competition at the Camerimage Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and longlisted for the BIFA Best British Short Film Award.

His work has been selected for competition at renowned festivals such as Aesthetica, Encounters, Kinofilm Manchester IFF, among others. Méder holds an MA in Cinematography from the London Film School. He holds an MA in Cinematography from LFF.

Hamish Lamley

Historical Consultant

Hamish Lamley is the owner and operator of the acclaimed historical leather workshop, Pictavia Leather, located in the heart of Perthshire, Scotland. Every product is crafted by Lamley and his expert team, with each piece reflecting his passion for the craft.

With over a decade of experience in traditional leatherworking, Lamley has dedicated years to researching and delving into Pictish culture through experimental archaeology.

In addition to his work in the workshop, Lamley has consulted on and created a wide range of projects, from costumes to sets, for television productions that bring Pictish history to life. His most notable contribution was to Ancient Murders Unearthed on Sky History.

The Scottish Crannog Centre

We are excited to partner with the Scottish Crannog Centre and its museum director, Mike Benson. An exceptional museum and charity dedicated to the education and archaeology of ancient Scottish history.

Alongside the museum, the Crannog Centre is home to a reconstructed Iron Age village, built using locally sourced materials and highlighting traditional craftsmanship.

Our collaboration with the Crannog Centre is focused on ensuring an authentic representation of Pictish culture. This partnership also provides us with the unique opportunity to film much of our project in a truly historically accurate setting.