Our March news

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Coming up in the March Newsletter

Welcome to our March Newsletter, bringing you the latest industry news, research updates and exciting opportunities from across Scotland's screen sector.

This month, we bid a fond farewell to outgoing Head of Film Education Scott Donaldson. After nearly 25 years working with Screen Scotland, Creative Scotland and its predecessor Scottish Screen, Scott's contribution to the screen sector in Scotland has been invaluable. We wish Scott a very happy and relaxed retirement! Read Scott's farewell message on our website.

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

Audience seated in packed cinema with red curtains draped over the screen.

Our latest news updates

New measures to encourage a more representative and inclusive Scottish film industry are being introduced from 1 April 2022 as we adopt the BFI Diversity Standards. Meeting the Standards will be required for applications to our Film Development and Production Fund and Film Festivals Fund. The full guidance is available to download from our website.

29 independent cinemas and two touring cinema operators from across Scotland have received new funding support from the Scottish Government through Screen Scotland. The Recovery Fund for Independent Cinemas will help stabilise, rebuild and revitalise independent cinema businesses in Scotland.

Fi Milligan Rennie, the former Curriculum Manager for Creative Industries Media at Forth Valley College, has been appointed Head of Education – Screen at Screen Scotland. She started her new position on 7 March 2022, taking over from outgoing Head of Film Education Scott Donaldson.

The 2022 edition of Glasgow Film Festival took place this month hosting a fantastic selection of World, UK and Scottish premieres. The Screen Scotland funded The Hermit of Treig from first-time director Lizzie MacKenzie won the prestigious Audience Award at this year’s festival.

Industry opportunities

Applications are open for Short Circuit’s annual Sharp Shorts scheme. The initiative funds up-and-coming writers, directors and producers to make short films, both live-action and animation, that push boundaries and inspire. Applications close 2 May 2022.

Screen NETS (film and TV industry on the job training) is currently recruiting trainees for 6-8 weeks for a new 3 part HETV drama series, shooting in Glasgow in April and May. For this programme, they are primarily focusing on recruiting new entrants who live outside the main central belt production hubs of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Find out how to apply on our website.

Applications for the Scottish Documentary Institute’s Edinburgh Pitch 2022 are now open. The initiative is aimed at independent filmmakers and companies developing and raising finance for creative feature documentaries and considering international co-productions. Applications close 4 April 2022.

NFTS is offering a free online Introduction to Production Accounting. The short course is aimed at those unemployed as a result of the pandemic or in temporary employment. Applications close 21 April 2022.

Research updates

Mapping of the Film Education sector in Scotland research is being undertaken by Edinburgh Innovations Ltd (part of the University of Edinburgh), with the key purpose to get a comprehensive picture of film and moving image education provision in Scotland. The online survey was open between November 2021 and January 2022 and in April the project is entering a qualitative phase, with around 30 interviews planned to gain a deeper understanding.

We supported BECTU Vision to start a partnership action research project with Timewise, aiming to build new insight into how to make flexible working work within the film and television industry. This work, following from BECTU Vision’s 2019 initiative TakeTwo: Job-sharing for Crew and utilising Timewise’s expertise in similar research, will be essential to make sure the creative industries know how to adapt going forward.

Shut clapperboard in the set of short film Too Rough.

Screen shout-outs

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates from Black Camel Pictures and Wild Child Animation won the Children’s Choice Award at the 2022 British Animation Awards.

The Sharp Shorts funded Too Rough won the Audience Award and Special Mention at this year’s Glasgow Short Film Festival.

The Screen Scotland supported The Hermit of Treig had its UK cinema release.

The Screen Scotland supported Long Live My Happy Head from Melt the Fly screened on BBC Scotland and is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Dying to Divorce from Scotland-based producer Sinead Kirwan was broadcast on Sky Documentaries.

New Screen Scotland funded documentary series Rescue: Extreme Medics premiered on Channel 4.

Float from Black Camel Pictures won the prize for Best Series in the Short Forms Competition at Series Mania 2022.

Image Credits: 1: Cinema with red curtains draped over the screen from Adobe Stock 2: Film camera on set from Adobe Stock 3: Hands typing on a keyboard from Adobe Stock 4: Behind the scenes image from short film Too Rough courtesy of Scheme Productions, credit Kevin J Thomson

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

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