Meet the people behind the Montrose LandxSea Film Fest - from passionate filmmakers to community leaders, all with a commitment to environmental cinema.
Join our team today and be a part of the exciting world of LandxSea!
Rachel Caplan, Festival Producer
Rachel is a seasoned film festival producer with over 25 years of experience working across the UK and USA. Passionate about storytelling, she's committed to using cinema as a catalyst for social and environmental change. Her dedication to this cause led her to launch and grow the San Francisco Green Film Festival into a global platform over a decade, making a real difference in the way people think about the planet. Her journey in environmental cinema has also seen her direct the International Ocean Film Festival, North America's largest showcase for marine films, and produce Scotland's Climate Festival for COP26, sparking nationwide conversation and action by engaging over 18,000 attendees. After 17 years in California, Rachel is back in her homeland of Scotland and excited to bring her unique expertise to local initiatives, continuing to elevate climate-focused films and discussions on the global stage. Rachel's role for LandxSea encompasses curating the film programmes, securing funding, orchestrating logistics, and leading marketing efforts. Contact Rachel about partnership opportunities, programmes, general festivals queries.
Anthony Baxter, Vice Chair
Anthony is a globally recognised documentary director and producer based in Montrose. Renowned for his award-winning documentaries, including the highly influential You've Been Trumped, Anthony has used his career in journalism and filmmaking to give a powerful voice to pressing environmental issues. His film Eye of the Storm, a deeply engaging portrayal of renowned Scottish artist James Morrison, won Best Specialist Factual at BAFTA Scotland, cementing his status as a critical filmmaker. Anthony's expertise and industry connections significantly elevate the festival's commitment to showcasing meaningful, impactful cinema. He also created the Festival trailer!
Graham Black, Secretary
Graham an architect with a passion for creative arts, spent eight years working with a preservation firm in Hawaii, where he was part of the Pacific Building Trade Expo team. In pursuit of creativity outside of architecture, he delved into photography, developing his eye through trial and error. This pursuit saw him evolve into a semi-professional sports photographer, with his work featured in local and national newspapers throughout Angus and Scotland. He has also become an essential creative force for Arbroath Football Club, managing their social media profiles and crafting marketing campaigns with their team. Now, he brings his multifaceted creativity to promote this local cinema in Angus. He is also the festival's official photographer, capturing the memories and moments of the events.
Claire Carle, Treasurer
Bio coming soon!
David Paton, Chair, The Montrose Playhouse Project SCIO
David a long-serving associate director at Crawford Architecture and founder of the Montrose Playhouse SCIO, is a stalwart of the Montrose community. His dedication to community engagement and development is evident in his history of steering significant local projects. This includes the beloved Montrose Music Festival (MoFest) and the transformative renovation of the former town swimming pool into a community-owned state-of-the-art cinema. David was honoured as Montrose Citizen of the Year in 2014 in recognition of his invaluable contribution to MoFest, which under his guidance grew to be the largest free music festival in Scotland. As an architectural designer, David brings a unique perspective on building community, both physically and socially. His extensive leadership experience, deep-rooted connection to the community, and passion for enhancing the vibrancy of local life make him an invaluable asset to the LandxSea team. David also produces the festival's eye-catching posters and graphic materials, as well as organising the lively Eco Fair on the Mall. Contact David about participating in the Eco Fair.
Matt Buchanan, Venue Manager, The Montrose Playhouse
Matt is more than just the Venue Manager for the Playhouse; he's one of the driving forces making it a vibrant community hub. His enthusiasm was instrumental in the venue's successful 2021 launch, which included a range of inclusive social cinema programming initiatives. Through the collaborative efforts of Matt and The Playhouse's Social Development Officer, the venue has initiated Autism and Dementia-friendly screenings, 'Baby and Me' sessions, and local school trips. These initiatives reflect a deep commitment to community inclusivity. Moreover, Matt has cultivated a diverse community presence at The Playhouse, welcoming groups for activities from Baby Massage and Tai Chi to networking events. His hands-on approach and dedication to making cinema accessible to all are invaluable to the festival. Alongside the Playhouse team, Matt ensures all our festival events run smoothly.
Fiona Guest, Scotia Seeds
Since joining Scotia Seeds in 1995, Fiona Guest has been pivotal in championing the cultivation and preservation of Scotland's native wildflowers. From Mavisbank's 40 acres, she harvests premium seeds for diverse habitats and gardens. With a dedication to sustainable farming, Mavisbank thrives as a haven for wildlife, reflecting Fiona's biodiversity ethos. Her passion for native plant species, combined with her knowledge of sustainable farming practices, gives her a unique perspective on the environmental issues at the heart of the festival. Fiona assembles our fun array of all-ages Eco activities during the festival in collaboration with local environmental organisations and groups, which in 2023 included Scotia Seeds, Clay Half, Buglife, Montrose Basin Visitor Centre, and Montrose Sailing Club.
None of this would be possible without our amazing Festival Sponsors. Thank you!