About Us

"To say that Maddrim are an unusual bunch is to understate how singular their artistic talents really are. Somehow the bizarre combination of Shetland's remote location and oil-funded social arts investment have generated a creative bubble in which a strange stream of blackly comic weirdness has flourished. Believe me, in 10 years' time, you're going to read the phrase "raised in Shetland" on a surprising number of successful film-makers' CVs." - Mark Kermode, The Observer

So, what is Maddrim Media?

Ohoho! Well, many years ago (um... 2006?) a group of youths had a vision. This vision was to have a group of young people capable of making high quality films and being able to easily access equipment, expertise and anything they wanted! Then they contacted Shetland Arts who were more than happy to help out! So too was the Shetland Islands Council Youth Services department! In a few months, equipment had been obtained, meetings had been held and members had joined. Maddrim Media (Or Shetland's Young Person's Film and Media Group as it was originally known) was born!
Since then we have been making films for the annual Screenplay festival in Shetland, making films just for fun and making a couple for people who would like a film made. You can check them out right here, at maddrimmedia.com!

What's with the name?

A long time ago (just after making Baa Baa Kill Sheep) Aidan, Chris and Mhairi decided to make a film about an old lady dying. The old lady had a Shetland accent and her 'catchphrase' was Great Maddrim! which is Shetland for 'joy and laughter'. This kinda stuck with us all as a good way of representing what we are. We're here to have fun! And to learn the importance of friendship ♥

You mentioned the Screenplay festival, what's that?

Why, it's the annual Shetland film festival! Each year there is A Homemade in Shetland event, to which we try to enter all the films we make throughout the year.  Click HERE for more information!

What else do you plan to do outside Screenplay?

Although Screenplay is a major part of what we do, it's not everything. We've made a few videos for organisations and filmed a few live events, and we're working on having more and more  We've also entered our films to other film festivals, and were shortlisted both the Rob Knox Film Festival in London with our film Masks, and for the Discovery Youth Screen Awards in Dundee with Autumn Leaves. Anything our members want to do really!

Members you say?? Can I sign up?

If you are passionate about having fun and want to make films, then sure! We love new members, just get in touch at maddrimmedia@gmail.com!

Thanks Maddrim!

Thank you, anonymous question asker!