A new documentary film about the first world war bombardment of Scarborough will have it's premiere screening tonight.
The 1914 Naval bombardment of Scarborough is the subject of a new documentary film being premiered tonight.
"The Baby Killers" will be screened for the first time at the Tees Valley International Film Festival.
It tells the story of the German bombardment of Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool in December 1914, which saw 500 shells land on Scarborough and left 18 people dead.
Summer O’Brien is the Collections & Engagement Manager at Eden Camp - They've been involved in making the film.
Summer hopes the film will highlight the impacts of the attack.
On the morning of 16th December 1914, the towns of Hartlepool, Whitby, and Scarborough were bombed by German battleships from the North Sea. The bombardments caused hundreds of civilian casualties and resulted in public outrage in Britain against the German Navy for the raid and the Royal Navy for failing to prevent it. It was the first attack of World War One on British soil.
At Scarborough alone, two German battleships, Derfflinger and Von der Tann, bombarded the undefended seaside town for about half an hour; during that short period over 500 shells rained down, killing 18 people and injuring many more.
Summer says the documentary seeks to explore the impacts of what was the first attack of World War One on British soil.
Summer says the film tells the story of the attack and it's aftermath by visiting the locations affected and also seeks to understand why the bombardment of Whitby and Hartlepool are often overlooked.
The Baby Killers is a co-production between Eden Camp, The Tees Valley International Film Festival and Heugh Battery Museum. The film is directed by Mick Child, Director Forge Photography and Film Ltd and is presented by Summer O’Brien.
Summer says making the the film has been a learning curve.
Tonight's gala premier is just one element of this years Tees Valley International Film Festival, a four day celebration of all aspects of the craft of filmmaking. The festival invites undiscovered and independent filmmakers from all over the world to submit their short films for inclusion in the festival, the best of which will be screened across the course of the four days. From there, a select few will be nominated for an award, the worthy winners being presented with their prize at our glittering closing ceremony.
Summer O'Brien hops that following the premier event the documentary will be screened in other venues in Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool.
The film has been made on a minimal budget through the cooperation of the partners involved, Summer hopes that it will provide a valuable resource for future generations of historians.
Tonight's premiere screening will feature an interview and Q&A with Summer and Mick.
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