Screen Scotland has today launched four film talent development initiatives designed to expand opportunities for filmmakers in Scotland to make short films or develop their first feature film:
- Short Film Development and Production
- Early Development Shorts
- Community Engagement Workshops
- Feature Film Script Development
Following the publication in March 2024, of its Strategy to 2030 Screen Scotland is introducing four new and emerging talent development initiatives that collectively represent the most ambitious and comprehensive film talent development offer ever seen in Scotland, with a combined annual budget of £1.2 million.
As a first step towards delivering its plans, Screen Scotland has today launched a callout for partners to work with Screen Scotland to deliver the four programmes.
The programmes are designed to support Scotland-based film writers, directors and producers, from early stage through to those on the cusp of making their first feature film. The aim is to create a comprehensive pathway to identify and support new and emerging talent across Scotland.
The package includes the return of First Feature, and new short film production programmes across Scotland (following the closure of Short Circuit in 2024).
For the first time, budgets of up to £90,000 per film will be made available for filmmakers based in Scotland to make creatively ambitious, shorts with the intention of garnering critical success.
The four strands of support
Short Film Development and Production
This programme will provide a range of short film development and production opportunities, including high budget shorts, to give emerging Scotland-based filmmakers the chance to develop their skills and create a compelling body of work.
Under this initiative six films – each with a budget of up to £25,000 – will be produced each year. In addition, two “Second Sight” films a year, with budgets of around £25,000 each, will give filmmakers who have already made a Screen Scotland short another chance to make another short film and showcase their growing talent.
For the first time three “high value” shorts, each with a budget of up to £90,000, will be made each year. Both this new initiative and Second Sight are fully funded by Screen Scotland.
In combination these three opportunities will double the number of short films produced in Scotland each year with Screen Scotland’s support. Under the previous funding plan six “Sharp Shorts” were produced in Scotland each year between 2020 and 2024 by Short Circuit.
Download the Short Film Development and Production Call Out (PDF, opens in a new window)
Early Development Shorts
This programme will have a focus on targeting groups who are currently underrepresented in Scotland’s film sector by working with organisations across Scotland to get more people making films. This new offer is in addition to GMAC’s Little Pictures, which Screen Scotland will continue to fully fund in 2025/26.
Download the Early Development Shorts Call Out (PDF, opens in a new window)
Download the Early Development Shorts Call Out - Plain Text version (Word, opens in a new window)
Community Engagement Workshops
This programme will develop a series of one-day workshops designed to introduce filmmaking to individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in the film and TV industry. In these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to experiment with writing, directing, and producing. They will be designed for beginners with absolutely no experience of filmmaking necessary.
Download the Community Engagement Workshops Call Out (PDF, opens in a new window)
Feature Film Script Development
This programme will nurture and elevate the next generation of emerging, Scotland-based feature filmmakers working towards their first feature film.
The scripts developed through this programme by Scotland-based writers will offer new and unique stories that represent modern Scottish society and creativity. They will be written with an eye to the market and to audiences, presenting viable propositions that can attract partners and co-financers at the appropriate stage, and which are likely to engage, excite, inspire and entertain audiences in Scotland and beyond.
Download the Feature Film Script Development Call Out (PDF, opens in a new window)
Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland said: “Recent Scottish film successes - including The Outrun written by Scottish writer Amy Liptrot and starring Saoirse Ronan, On Falling from Laura Carreira and Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun - have shone a spotlight on Scottish film and Scotland-based filmmaking talent. Short films are where filmmakers such as Laura and Charlotte hone their talent. It’s an essential part of any thriving filmmaking culture, which is why we are doubling down on our support.
“Through these four new initiatives, Screen Scotland is working to ensure that there’s a clear pathway in Scotland for filmmakers to realise their talent and create more bold and ambitious work, which makes a real impact on the world.
“This major increase in investment expands opportunity and takes direct action to strengthen the diversity of Scotland’s screen sector, bringing more distinct and diverse voices to our screens and better representing Scotland.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The Scottish Government is committed to investing in Scotland’s filmmaking potential, building on the remarkable growth it has seen in recent years to create thousands of new jobs and economic opportunities across the country.
“Screen Scotland’s support for the sector has been critical to that success and I was pleased to be able to increase its funding by £2 million, as part of an overall £34 million uplift for culture funding in the draft 2025-26 Scottish Budget – the largest increase in culture funding in Scotland since devolution, outside of emergency Covid funding.
“These film development initiatives will ensure the next generation of Scottish filmmakers can benefit from that investment and continue a proud legacy of inspiring audiences around the world.”
The new approach will cover the next five years to 2030/31, in line with the wider Screen Scotland strategy.
Applications for the four initiatives close Monday 20 January 2025, with interviews taking place in February 2025.
More information
Background
The budget for each strand of support is as follows:
- Community Engagement Workshops - £26,000
- Short Film Development and Production - £750,000
- Early Development Shorts - £210,000
- Feature Film Script Development - £220,000
Screen Scotland drives development of all aspects of Scotland’s film and tv industry, through funding and strategic support.
Screen Scotland is part of Creative Scotland and delivers these services and support with funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
Screen Scotland’s vision is to cultivate creatively ambitious and economically sustainable film and TV sectors in Scotland, which provide fulfilling jobs and opportunities for people across the country, at all stages of their careers. Screen Scotland works to develop Scotland’s creative potential as a filmmaking nation and as an originator of distinctive films, television programmes and content enjoyed by audiences the world over.
Media Contact
Eilidh Walker
Media Relations and PR Officer - Screen
M: +44 (0)7545 402 064