Between Weathers secures investment

A NORTH EAST businessman with roots in Shetland is to invest a six figure sum into the feature film Between Weathers to be shot in Shetland later this year.

Ellon-based entrepreneur George Stroud, of Marin Subsea, a specialist in subsea tools and equipment, has confirmed the deal with Aberdeen film production company B4films.

Mr Stroud said he still had strong links with Shetland and felt inspired by the scripts and the fact that it would be shot in the isles.

“Having pondered the question for some time about how I could put something back into the community, I got in touch with the team at B4 Films and director Jim Brown.

“I invited Jim and his team to my offices and we started to explore the possibilities of working together.  Further research on the film showed that there were many similarities between the script and my own Shetland experiences.

“This really is a brilliant way to invest in Shetland and Scottish business. Our business supports many global businesses and in the current economic times I feel it is important that we consider the future. I couldn’t think of a better way to give something back to Shetland, a place I regard as home,” Mr Stroud said.

Mr Brown said that he went to meet George because he sounded so enthused about the idea. “This social investment mirrors the narrative of the film perfectly.

“It’s about putting something back into the north of Scotland and Shetland. We thank George very much for this investment, an investment that will be instrumental in putting Shetland on the global map.”

Shetland Arts director Gwilym Gibbons added: “Between Weathers is not just about making a great film, it’s about changing lives and transforming the economic future of a small island community.

“This first significant sum of ‘social investment’ will generate a number of advantages, not least that the approach ensures the film’s underlying social purpose is protected by ‘asset locking’ a percentage of IP and profits for re-investment into Shetland’s creative community.”