2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
West Lothian Film Festival announces partnership with breast cancer support charity based in Bathgate
Breast Friends and Family emerged as the winner from 30 nominated organisations
West Lothian Film Festival has confirmed that its first official charity partner is Breast Friends and Family.
The announcement follows more than five months of public voting and 2,164 individual ballots cast, and the partnership will run for the next three years.
Nominations opened in October last year and the public were invited to nominate and vote via social media for local causes they felt deserved recognition and support.
There were 30 organisations in the running, with Breast Friends and Family emerging as the winner after securing more than 700 public votes.
Breast Friends and Family aims to support patients through a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Based on Glasgow Road in Bathgate they provide practical, emotional, and peer support for breast cancer patients across West Lothian. From its office, affectionately known as The Heart, the charity distributes treatment support bags, runs wellbeing sessions, and offers a vital sense of solidarity to those facing diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
West Lothian Film Festival has attracted 306 films — an unprecedented increase from last year's 82 submissions. All submissions are currently in the hands of the 20 strong volunteer judging panel.
Festival Director Christopher McPhillips said: 'Every nominated charity had something meaningful to offer West Lothian, and we're grateful to have celebrated them all over the past five months. With 747 votes, Breast Friends and Family clearly resonated with our community, representing compassion, strength, and unity.
'The people of West Lothian chose them as their charity of choice, and we're proud to use our platform to support and celebrate the incredible work they do. While it's been an honour to spotlight 30 brilliant organisations, we're equally proud to now walk alongside Breast Friends and Family as our official partner for the next three years.'
As part of the three-year charity partnership, the festival has committed to: full marketing and promotional support, volunteer days from the festival team, and a dedicated Breast Friends and Family showcase day at each edition of the festival from 2026 to 2028.
Hazel Orr of Breast Friends and Family said: 'We were delighted to be nominated. The 30 nominated charities are all worthy charities and community groups, so we knew we faced some strong competition.
'On first meeting Christopher, we realised that this could be a fantastic opportunity for Breast Friends and Family, with so many ways he could help promote our charity through the film festival as well as his business associates and connections. It made us think about how we connect with our followers through social media, through our own Facebook and Instagram platforms and how we could encourage our followers to like, vote and share posts.
'We grabbed the opportunity offered by the film festival and Condor Entertainment, to go along on one of their media days, to record an interview about how the charity came about and what it provides.
"We loved sharing the finished result. And, we took advantage of the leaflets and posters provided by Artos Digital and Clear Colour, not just taking them to our events but sharing with work colleagues, neighbours, family and friends, at every opportunity.
'Thank you, Christopher, and the West Lothian Film Festival for this fabulous opportunity, thank you to the 2000+ people who voted and to those who voted for Breast Friends and Family.
There's also an online fundraiser been set up by the film festival for Breast Friends and Family:
