Stirling graduates’ documentary helps kick-off film festival

A film – made by University of Stirling graduates – exploring inclusion within the world of rugby will be screened on the opening night of an international film festival.

Adam and The Alphas will be shown tonight at the fifth Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQIFF), at the CCA: Centre for Contemporary Arts, in Glasgow.

The production team – graduates from Stirling’s Communications, Media and Culture division – comprised of Stuart Graham (director) Ailsa Maloney (Production Manager) Murray Leitch (camera) Reuben Burgess (sound) and Gail Zawadski (editor).

Stuart said: “Adam and The Alphas is a short LGBT documentary about overcoming adversity and finding your community. It follows Carlisle-born Adam as he recounts the story of his difficult youth and how it led him to creating the Glasgow Alphas, Glasgow's only gay and inclusive rugby team.

“The film sees Adam return home with the Alphas by his side to play for the first time in this place that once stopped him from being proudly himself.

“I am so proud of how the film turned out: our subjects put so much trust in us throughout its production and to have an end result that manages to convey the brotherhood and pride they share is something I will always take a great amount of joy in.

“As a creator who wants to make media that highlights community and moments of connection in minority identities, Adam and The Alphas is hopefully a really great start.

Proud

“I have been a huge fan and follower of SQIFF for several years now, so to have something I worked so hard on be recognised by the festival is something I think still hasn’t fully set in. I'm mainly exited to have more people see the film and hope it goes some way to help people see there is community out there for everyone.”

Stirling Head of Production Dario Sinforiani said: “We are very proud that the 2019 dissertation documentary Adam and The Alphas will be screened on the opening night of SQIFF. It is an excellent film with an important message.”

Adam and The Alphas will be shown from 7pm at the CCA, as part of SQIFF, which runs until 6 October. It can also be viewed at https://vimeo.com/338702399.