A keen filmmaker and prominent member of the Strathendrick Film Society , Michael Ferns enrolled on the Digital Film and Television course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland . In 2009 , he directed , photographed and edited his debut feature film , the historical fantasy '' Kirk '' about the life of Reverend Robert Kirk , a minister and scholar of the late 1600s . The film was very well received and appeared at the 2009 Festival of Fantastic Films in Manchester . The Festivals chairman , Gil Layne Young wrote " The direction was exciting , showing touches of quality that would be missed by much older directors . '' Kirk '' is a fantasy movie with roots in real Scottish life of the 17th century and for the first time in years I saw a bunch of real men wiping a tear from their eyes . " Critic M. J. Simpson praised the director writing " Despite the director 's youth , this is one of the most accomplished , mature , professional and impressive films I have seen for a very long time . I think it no exaggeration to say that , if Ferns lives up to the promise of this debut feature , then '' Kirk '' marks the arrival on the scene of a major new talent . " In 2010 , Ferns was awarded the ' Best Director ' accolade at the 2010 British Academy Scotland New Talent Awards which was held at the Mitchell Theatre in Glasgow
2010 British Academy Scotland New Talent Awards
2010 British Academy Scotland New Talent Awards
Michael Ferns