FOUR Scottish films are to be showcased at one of the world's leading film festivals, which gets under way in Berlin today.
The Berlin International Film Festival, which runs until February 16, has two feature films and two short films backed by Scottish funds in its programme.
It will include the world premiere of '71 from Scottish producer Angus Lamont, which has been created by Gregory Burke, the writer of the successful National Theatre of Scotland play, Black Watch.
The film, which received £300,000 funding from Creative Scotland, tells the story of a young British soldier who is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot in Belfast in 1971.
God Help the Girl, the debut film by the founder and lead singer of the popular Scottish band Belle & Sebastian, Stuart Murdoch, is at the festival and received £300,000.
Also appearing at the festival are Exchange & Mart by Cara Connolly, the daughter of Billy Connolly, Martin Clark, and Seagulls by Martin Smith.
The director Ken Loach will be honoured with a Homage, and awarded the Honorary Golden Bear for his lifetime achievements.
Loach has shot many films in Scotland and a number of these films will be shown in his honour during the festival, including My Name is Joe starring Peter Mullan and Louise Goodall, and Sweet Sixteen starring Martin Compston and William Ruane.
Janet Archer, chief executive of Creative Scotland, said: "Congratulations to all those involved in the four films that are premiering and screening at this year's Berlinale.
"The Film in Scotland team will be working hard to promote Scotland's world-class talent, film locations, facilities and services and encouraging the international film industry to come and film in Scotland."
Hollywood actor Richard Dreyfuss will attend the UK premiere of his latest film later this month at the Glasgow Film Festival.
The star of Jaws and American Graffiti will be at the Glasgow Film Festival screening of Cas & Dylan on February 22, a film directed by Jason Priestley.
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