Many memorable films have been made in Scotland over the years with Trainspotting, Local Hero, The 39 Steps and Gregory’s Girl among them.

All totally distinct stories, shot in different in decades, in a range of locations with a wide cast of actors, directors and producers, aimed at all types of audiences.

I don’t know how many times I’ve watched them.

Each and every one of them has made an impact individually, artistically and commercially. But, collectively, they demonstrate Scotland is a country where quality film making is possible –and that’s a position I believe it still holds in this day and age, though funding for films does remain a severe problem and that’s why it’s being investigated at the moment. This is a problem that should not be overlooked.

It’s important funding issues for film are being closely scrutinised as, from my perspective, this could help first-time film makers with enthusiasm, talent, ideas and skills to get a start in the business.

With that in the background, that’s why five brothers from two Scots families, and I’m one of them, have joined forces to make a low-budget – £24,000 – Scottish historical fantasy action feature film that we hope will be, eventually, screened to a worldwide audience.

We have been shooting has in various locations here on our 100-minute long film called Dalriata’s King and is a story that’s set in the war-torn, dark ages of 800AD.

It focuses on the tale of Scots warrior king, Alpin Mac Echdach who hunts his young brother’s kidnappers through a dark forest where an ancient evil is said to hide.

My two brothers, Nathan and Matthew Todd, and our cousins, brothers Tom and John Walkinshaw – formed Fellowship Film in the summer as a social enterprise company to make this film, which we describe as Lord of the Rings and Narnia meets Braveheart.

Some people have already dubbed our filmed the "budget Braveheart” which we don’t mind at all as we are funding it from our savings plus money from a crowdfunding exercise.

What we’re doing with Dalriata’s King is combining community-based project management with professional film production, making efficient use of all available resources.

We believe that when a community of enthusiastic creative people is given the opportunity to work together in a positive environment where they are truly valued then, as they say in films, miracles happen.

Without any official external funding, we decided to go for it ourselves and there are many compelling reasons for making a low-budget independent film and these include wanting to help and nurture new talent, develop careers, break new ground, communicate an important story, and also just for the pure love and fun of film-making.

Our films are intentionally ambitious and distinctively Scottish because we aim to show Scotland doesn't need to shy away from producing films that are big, brave and inspiring, like its countryside.

The film includes many first-time actors and children, but all those involved are waiving fees and will be paid if the film makes a profit.

That kind of agreement and commitment is essential when we don’t have access to external funding.

The project has brought together more than 100 people whose creativity, talent and energy is achieving the impossible.

We have extremely high production values and these are being maintained with no corners cut.

We are about partnering with the local community to create something inspiring. People are giving us land to film on and, in the first shooting block, our family home – my dad is the local minister – was over-run with Picts and tree demons changing costumes or drinking tea.

The next dates for filming are scheduled for Spring next year and this and the historical hill fort of Dunadd will be brought back to life.

This is a serious Scottish project in every way and it’s come about because we have put our money where our mouths are to make it happen.

Phil Todd, the director of Dalriata’s King, is an award-winning young filmmaker with a strong vision for Scotland to become an international centre for high quality film production.