Local filmmaker Martin Smith sets his sights on Jimmy

He may have a Scottish BAFTA under his belt and award nominations galore, but the chances are you've not heard of Leith-based filmmaker, Martin Smith.

Following the appearance at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival of Smith's short film, Jimmy, that may be about to change.

“I started out as a photographer with musicians such as Nick Cave and after doing a filmmaking course at Napier I ended up making music videos in London,” says Smith. “But I really wanted to do drama.”


TRACKS trailer from Martin Smith on Vimeo.

A move back to Scotland led to Smith making two short dramas and the Toronto International Film Festival commissioning him to direct a self-portrait film.

“During the making of the film at my local community centre, I was introduced to Jimmy McIntosh MBE, who campaigned for and won the vote for the institutionalised disabled and who has cerebral palsy himself. Jimmy is shot entirely from his point of view: that was the way into his life for me.”

Though it would be easy to portray Jimmy as someone struggling against the odds, Smith instead shows him to be a strong character willing to fight for his beliefs. Jimmy's speech at a council meeting is also one of the most poignant moments I've seen on screen for a long time.

“It's going to festivals now and hopefully it will get some TV screenings as well. I'm interested to see how it plays internationally, and it's important to Jimmy who wants to screen it to various campaigning organisations.”

While more people may now get to experience Martin Smith's work on the small screen, with two feature films in development it might not be too long before a cinema near you is playing his work on a much bigger one.

Visit www.martinsmithonline.com to see some of Martin's work.