A FORMER police officer from Greenock has seen his debut short film screened for the first time at a national festival.
Aidan Donnachie’s film ‘Robert’, starring Scottish acting legend David Hayman, was shown at the Scottish Short Film Festival in Glasgow, where Hayman has also received a best actor nomination for his role.
The 30-year-old, who trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, wrote and directed the film as part of his final year.
The drama centres on an elderly man living alone with COPD and explores themes of isolation and care in the community.
Aidan said: "It is so exciting. I can't believe what is happening. I am hoping to get it into other festivals as well.
"I wrote the script with David Hayman in mind. He said he felt he had a connection with it and agreed to do it.
"He was so encouraging and respectful. It was great to draw on his experience and learn from him."
Aidan, who is originally from Larkfield, left Police Scotland on medical grounds before deciding to pursue a career in film.
He added: "I had to leave the police on medical grounds, but it gave me the determination to follow my dreams and do something I was really passionate about."
The former Inverclyde Academy pupil said he was inspired to write ‘Robert’ by his father’s work as a care support worker.
He added: "I wanted to get across that for many people living in their own homes, sometimes care workers are the only people they see."
The film was shot in a Greenock flat with a small team after Aidan had to quickly adapt his original plans, pulling the script together in just a few days.
Now based in Glasgow with his partner Eilis McGarvey, he been working on other material and hopes to build a career in screenwriting.
Creative Aidan, whose artist brother Ronan has been chosen to feature in the world famous art festival Venice Biennale, said: "I am looking forward to the reactions to the film.
"I am very much focused on screenwriting and I have written a few things."
The sold-out screening also featured a Q&A session.
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