Shetland Arts took a UK-wide part in the London 2012 Festival celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 'A Hansel of Film – Shetland to Southampton and Back' was a relay of screenings of short films made by the public in each of the nations and many of the regions of the UK.
It launched in Shetland on 10th June with the arrival of the Olympic Torch in the isles as it reached its UK most northerly point. The films were then relayed between participating venues by 'runners'; that is, creative and energetic individuals who employed whatever means of transport they can devise to get the right films to the right venue on time. This culminated in a marathon screening of over 100 short films at Shetland's annual film festival, Screenplay 2012, between 4th and 9th September.
The project took films made by Shetlanders and others to twenty one venues around the country and formed a celebration of 'home made' short films similar to that which takes place annually at Screenplay.
The London 2012 Festival was the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad, the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Spread over four years, it was designed to give everyone in the UK a chance to be part of London 2012 and inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially among young people.
