Scottish Director Sam Watkins Secures Best Music Documentary Prize at Prestigious US Film Festival

EDINBURGH, Scotland - Sept. 26, 2023 - PRLog -- UK filmmaker Sam Watkins has proven he is one to watch, having clinched the coveted Best Music Documentary Short award at the Jerome Indie Film & Music Festival for his short documentary 'The Vanishing Strings of the Andes'.

This prestigious accolade marks a significant triumph for Watkins and solidifies his position as a rising star in the world of filmmaking.

"A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into this documentary, and I'm delighted to receive this award on behalf of everyone who has played a part in its success so far. To date it has been selected for 7 film festivals worldwide. This festival in Jerome was the first one, and it has already won an award, which is just fantastic."

Held in the hauntingly captivating backdrop of Jerome, Arizona, a ghost town with a notorious past, the Jerome Indie Film & Music Festival is no ordinary cinematic event. Moviemaker Magazine, a trusted authority in the film industry, recognized it as one of the '25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World' back in 2017.

What sets this festival apart is its commitment to taking cinema to the most unexpected places. Picture yourself watching independent films on a moving train, inside a haunted gold mine, within the walls of wineries, atop surprise hilltop residences, or even in the eerie confines of a century-old high school basement hallway.

It was on this festival's unique stage that 'The Vanishing Strings of the Andes' truly shone. The mesmerizing short documentary delves into the heart and soul of Ecuadorian guitar makers along The Route of the Guitars in San Bartolomé, Ecuador. Watkins, with his unparalleled storytelling prowess, exposes the hardships faced by these artisans as they strive to preserve their craft amidst fierce global competition.

Featuring interviews with esteemed guitar luthiers, the documentary captures the dedication and unwavering commitment of these craftsmen. It unearths the threats posed by mass-produced, low-quality guitars flooding the market, and immerses viewers in the beauty of this endangered craft and the determination of those who keep it alive.

Watkins, who hails from both Perthshire and Edinburgh in Scotland, directed and produced the documentary.

"I was drawn to the project as I had heard a story about a lost 'guitar road' in the mountains of Ecuador, and I was fascinated by it. I couldn't find out anything else about it, so I knew I just had to go myself and experience this intricate craft firsthand."

Watch the documentary here: https://discovered.tv/watch/ZajlAQVmAtnn.

For more, visit https://www.watkinsfilms.com/ or search @WatkinsFilms on Instagram.