Rural Nations (Scotland) CIC is an artist led production company based in Stornoway which commissions film, experimental theatre and strategic arts projects.

Working across a broad portfolio of arts initiatives Rural Nations CIC delivers the annual Hebrides International Film Festival and produces our own Island originated professional theatre and short film projects in partnership with artists and organisations based across the UK and from other countries.

The company is currently working on a phase of research and development where we are looking at digital innovation using performance and storytelling presented in the context of extreme environments and immersive technology.

Our short film work is focussed on fundraising for the production of a short drama around Iolaire survivor guilt, based on factual content.

Our artists are also working on a puppet and animation theatre/mixed media project with a series of unique new Hebridean puppet characters.

In late 2023 we launched a new Gaelic Artists Film Archive called Freumhan.org where Gaelic speaking artists living and working in the Outer Hebrides are showcased (see link above). We are now fundraising to extend the number of films and to capture the work and stories of artists across Scotland who work in Gaelic. Please take a look at these short films by Beatrix Wood and take our survey and tell us about other artsists whose practice and stories could be added to the archive.

For more information contact: [email protected]