Our June news

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Welcome to our June Newsletter

The Scottish film and TV industry has been making headlines this month following the publication of a new Screen Scotland commissioned report revealing the economic value of Scotland's screen sector.

We have more information about this groundbreaking report coming up in this month's newsletter, plus the latest industry announcements and a selection of exciting talent development opportunities.

If you have any feedback on our newsletter, please email us. We'd love to hear from you.

Screen Scotland Executive Director Isabel Davis, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson and BE United's CEO Emma Picken at FirstStage Studios. Credit: Neil Hanna

The Economic Value of the Screen Sector in Scotland

On 24 June 2022, we published a new report providing the first clear picture of the economic value of Scotland’s film and TV industry.

Commissioned by Screen Scotland and produced by Saffery Champness and Nordicity, the new report finds that the screen sector in Scotland contributed £567.6million to Scotland’s economy in 2019 and provided 10,280 full-time equivalent jobs, evidencing how significant film and TV is to our creative economy.

The report covers 2019, the year before the onset of Covid and the first full year following the establishment of Screen Scotland. A follow-up study of 2021 is in progress.

The full report and summary report are available to download now from our website.

Still of Sally Hawkins sitting on a park bench outside Edinburgh Castle. Courtesy of Pathé.

Industry updates

The Edinburgh International Film Festival has revealed details about its innovative new programme under Creative Director Kristy Matheson. With over 125 events planned for its 75th edition, the festival will include a focus on women in filmmaking and a major retrospective of the work of Japanese filmmaker Kinuyo Tanaka. The full programme will be announced 20 July.

The Edinburgh TV Festival, in partnership again this year with Screen Scotland, has announced an exciting selection of speakers and sessions for this year’s in-person festival. Multi-award winning actor Brian Cox will be taking part in a Screen Scotland sponsored session which will see the legendary actor discuss his career.

Screen Scotland has joined forces with BBC Scotland on a new initiative to find the next generation of Scotland’s unscripted television directors. Up to eight candidates will be offered the opportunity to produce and direct their first documentary for BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer.

Production has commenced on the feature film KILL from Scotland-based production company Synchronicity Films. The dark family thriller features an incredible Scottish cast and has received support from Screen Scotland.

The Lost King will be released in UK cinemas on 7 October 2022. The Screen Scotland backed feature film from director Stephen Frears and writers Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope tells the true story of how one ‘ordinary’ woman discovered the remains of King Richard III.

Two female filmmakers working on film set.

Industry opportunities

We have launched a new strategic development and pilot production initiative with Channel 4 to find fresh entertainment ideas to be developed into a Christmas pilot with a Scotland-based indie. The deadline to submit your pilot ideas is 30 June 2022.

We are offering 10 bursaries to independent production companies in Scotland to attend this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival. The bursary offer comprises a fully funded delegate pass and 3 nights accommodation for successful applicants not based in Edinburgh. Find out more on our website and apply by 3pm, 7 July 2022.

The Grierson Trust, in partnership with Netflix, has announced the return of its production management training programme. Grierson DocLab In Focus: Production Management has 8 places available to UK-based individuals who want to pursue a career within the production management area of documentary programme-making. Apply by 8 July 2022.

ScreenSkills has launched a pilot jobs board for individuals looking to find work in film, TV, animation or VFX. The jobs board is also aimed at employers who are wanting to advertise screen sector roles.

Campervan tarvelling a long road with views of mountains in the background.

Screen shout-outs

Three out of eight of the films selected to showcase in the Breakthrough Strand at this year's London Screenings came from Scottish talent. Congratulations to the teams behind Winners, La Sagrada Familia and The Oil Machine.

A first-look trailer has been released for the Screen Scotland backed The Control Room which is coming soon to BBC One.

Congratulations to the Screen Scotland backed Runrig: There Must Be A Place from Blazing Griffin and Vigil from World Productions for winning Torc Awards at this year’s Celtic Media Festival.

The hard-hitting documentary What Killed the Whale? from STV Studios aired on Channel 4 this month and is available to watch now on All4.

Congratulations to the teams behind the 12 shortlisted projects that will be developed through Short Circuit’s short film scheme Sharp Shorts this year.

All aired episodes of The Cry from Synchronicity Films are streaming now on Netflix UK.

Image Credits: 1: Screen Scotland Executive Director Isabel Davis, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson and BE United's CEO Emma Picken at FirstStage Studios. Credit: Neil Hanna 2: Still of Sally Hawkins sitting on a park bench outside Edinburgh Castle. Courtesy of Pathé. 3: Female filmmakers working on set from Adobe Stock 4: Still from La Sagrada Familia,. Courtesy of Borja Alcalde.

Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland, delivering enhanced support for all aspects of our screen sector.

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