Edinburgh TV Festival 2024: call out for passes for production companies and writers

Screen Scotland is thrilled to once again be working in partnership with the Edinburgh TV Festival. The festival will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), with dates confirmed as Tuesday 20 - Friday 23 August 2024.  

The festival will deliver live sessions, panels and masterclasses along with ConnectED Speed Meetings and networking opportunities that make up an internationally focused programme. The 2024 festival speakers confirmed to date include writer James Graham (Sherwood, Quiz, Dear England), who will deliver the MacTaggart Lecture, BAFTA and Emmy-winning producer Warren Littlefield (The Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo), BAFTA-nominated producer Andy Wilman (Top Gear, Clarkson’s Farm) and reality TV producer, coach and tech entrepreneur will.i.am.  

Screen Scotland is offering bursaries and passes to (a) Scottish TV production companies and (b) writers based in Scotland with viable TV prospects. Please find below the two separate sections and click on the appropriate link to apply. 

Please note that Screen Scotland's support for attending the Edinburgh International TV Festival is only available through these funded bursaries. Separate applications to the Market & Festival Attendance Fund will not be considered.  

If you are unsuccessful with your bursary application, indies and freelancers may still avail of a substantial discount on direct purchases of a TV Festival pass.


Production Companies

Screen Scotland is offering ten bursaries to independent production companies based in Scotland - this comprises a delegate pass and three nights’ accommodation (if required, for successful applicants not based in Edinburgh).   

The bursary offer will provide:  

  • Delegate access for 20-23 August, providing entry to over 50 Festival talks, sessions and workshops in Edinburgh   

  • Access to official Festival receptions and networking events   

  • On-demand access to the TV Festival Channel post-Festival   

  • Access to ConnectED speed meetings where you can meet decision makers 1-on-1, and ConnectED+ sessions throughout the year   

  • 3 nights’ accommodation in Edinburgh City Centre  

Before submitting your application, please note:  

  • This offer is open to Scotland-based producers and independent production companies only, with at least two broadcast credits 

  • There is a limit of one bursary per production company  

  • Applicants should hold a key leadership/creative executive role within the company 

  • Consider what projects you currently have and if they are at an appropriate stage for engaging with TV Festival participants, as well as your strategy for who you seek to connect with  

  • Passes may be particularly relevant for production companies who are currently engaged in development with Screen Scotland through our Broadcast Content Fund.  

Key dates 

Applications for 2024 are now closed. 

Successful applicants will be informed by Thursday 11 July.   


Writers

In addition to offering bursaries to independent production companies in Scotland, we are offering five passes to Scotland-based writers with viable TV prospects.   

The Festival pass will provide:   

  • Delegate access for 20-23 August, providing entry to over 50 Festival talks, sessions and workshops in Edinburgh   
  • Access to official Festival receptions and networking events   
  • On-demand access to the TV Festival Channel post-Festival   
  • Access to ConnectED speed meetings where you can meet decision makers 1-on-1, and ConnectED+ sessions throughout the year   

Please note: If additional accommodation becomes available, this will be offered to those who require it, but cannot be guaranteed at this time. 

To be eligible for a pass, applicants must be a Scotland-based writer who has at least one of the following:  

  • Written a professionally produced a theatre play   
  • Had a funded short film produced (which does not include crowdfunding)   
  • A project in development with a broadcaster  
  • At least one hour of broadcast TV credits  

Before submitting your application:  

  • Consider what projects you currently have and if they are at an appropriate stage for engaging with TV Festival participants, as well as your strategy for who you would seek to connect with   
  • Please note that passes may be particularly appropriate for writers who are currently engaged in development with Screen Scotland through one of our funds or partners. 

Key dates  

Applications for 2024 are now closed.  

Successful applicants will be informed by Friday 12 July 2024. 


Application details 

Creative Scotland (CS) requires some personal information about you to consider your application. Without this information CS will be unable to provide you with a delegate pass. If you would like to see a breakdown of the personal information CS requires, why it is required, what CS does with that information and how long CS keeps it, please refer to CS’s Privacy Notice