Aimed at raising the profile of our most talented Scotland-based filmmakers, the year two Bigger Picture short films are now in development with Take Three. These exciting filmmaking teams will use their distinct voices to bring bold and unique short stories to life and showcase their talents globally.  

There will be one MG ALBA funded Gaelic language film, alongside three English language films supported by Screen Scotland, doubling the number of projects selected in year one. 

Part of Screen Scotland’s Talent Builder, Take Three will provide a contribution of £90,000 to each film’s production budget, as well as bespoke support throughout the script development period. 

Nigheadaireachd Shalach (Dirty Laundry) 

While war rages in Europe, housekeeper Effie nurses her badly-wounded mistress on a tiny Scottish island. But then the arrival of a boatman with secrets of his own forces Effie to confront the disturbing allegiances of her charge, and she is left questioning where her own loyalties should lie.

• • Mairi Kidd, Writer
  • Mairead Hamilton, Director

Scissor Man

James is convinced his Mum is being stalked by a frightening figure that pursues them one day after school. But, as her behaviour grows strange and destructive, it seems she is not being entirely honest with him.

• • Sean Lìonadh, Writer/Director 
  • Ross McKenzie, Producer
  • Alfredo Covelli, Co-Producer

The Baking

A ferociously ambitious and unstable woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown must go to extreme lengths to succeed as a contestant on popular TV show Top Crumb.

• • Tom Nicoll, Writer/Director 
  • David Jack, Producer

The Thing I Said Or Did Or Am

Angela inadvertently reveals something unspeakably awful about herself to a theatre full of people while taking part in a live hypnosis show. Now she needs to figure out what it was.

• • Ciaran Lyons, Writer/Director 
  • Beth Allan, Producer

Bigger Picture is supported by Screen Scotland and MG ALBA. 

The Take Three short film programmes are set to return for a second year with calls for entries opening from the end of April. Take Three supports filmmaking talent from across Scotland by championing new voices, fostering creative collaboration, and developing and producing high-quality short films.

Alongside Opening Shot, Final Checks and First Draft, Take Three is part of Screen Scotland’s Talent Builder initiative which offers a clear and comprehensive pathway from early-stage through to the completion of the first draft of a first feature film script.

Take Three’s first call for applications, on April 30^th, will be for Bigger Picture, which contributes £90,000 towards a short film that supports filmmakers on the verge of making their feature debut. Filmmakers Simone Smith and Jenni Fagan are currently in development on the Year One Bigger Picture films, with producers Wendy Griffin (Selkie Productions) and Claire Mundell (Synchronicity Films) respectively.

Take Three continues their relationship with MG ALBA helping to platform emerging Gaelic talent, and the year two call will support one Bigger Picture Gaelic language short film.

North Star Shorts – which is Scotland’s BFI NETWORK supported programme – and Next Wave, offer £25,000 for earlier career filmmakers to create work that will succeed creatively and commercially. Film teams will also be offered development, mentoring and production support.

The films from year one will be launching onto the festival circuit in the autumn.

Reflecting on the programme’s first year, the Take Three team highlighted the calibre of the talent involved and the collaborative spirit that has defined the experience.

“The volume and quality of applications we received in our first year was exceptional, making the selection process both exciting and incredibly challenging,” said Take Three Programme Directors Carolynne Sinclair Kidd and Holly Daniel. “What’s been equally impressive is the level of talent and commitment from the teams we selected—each one has fully embraced the opportunity, collaborating generously and pushing their projects creatively at every stage. It really speaks to the strength and depth of filmmaking talent in Scotland, and to the ambition of storytellers ready to take that next step.”

Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland said: “It’s wonderful to see the developing bold and thought-provoking ideas come to life through Year one of Take Three. We’re excited to see what Year Two brings but are confident exceptional talent from across Scotland will deliver more outstanding projects.”

MG ALBA said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for Gaelic speaking talent to tell stories in a deeply personal and authentic way. I’m looking forward to seeing a wide spread of unforgettable ideas!”

Applications for the upcoming programmes will open soon, with filmmakers from across Scotland encouraged to apply. Initiatives by the wider Talent Builder partners will be announced over the coming months.

For more information about Take Three and updates on the second year of the programme, please visit www.takethree.scot or follow takethree.scot

About Take Three
Take Three comprises three new programmes of national support for short form storytelling. Continuing the legacy of world class short filmmaking from Scotland, these programmes will provide multiple entry points and a platform for bold, original voices with international appeal from across the country.

About Screen Scotland

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. Find out more at screen.scot and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About MG ALBA

MG ALBA works in partnership with the BBC to deliver BBC ALBA and oversees other initiatives, including SpeakGaelic, LearnGaelic and FilmG. Find out more about MG ALBA at www.mgalba.com

Chosen for their ambitious scope and talented teams, the first projects selected for The Bigger Picture are now in development with Take Three. The live action projects are by filmmakers who have a highly authored vision, and a clear sense of how a new short will complement and enhance their debut feature film projects.  

As part of Screen Scotland’s Talent Builder, Take Three will provide a contribution of £90,000 to each film’s production budget, as well as support through the script development stage.  

Top row, L-R: Jenni Fagan, Claire Mundell, Simone Smith

Bottom row, L-R: Wendy Griffin, Tom Kimberley, Mark Rossi

Anchor 

Fifteen-year-old Anais Hendricks’ life may be about to change irrevocably in a way that would affect her entire future. To distract from an upcoming children’s hearing the officer in charge of the unit takes Anais, along with three other girls, on a reluctant boating trip to a loch, a single day to anchor. 

Based on characters from Jenni Fagan’s classic novel, The Panopticon. 

• Jenni Fagan, Writer/Director 
• Claire Mundell, Producer/Executive Producer, Synchronicity Films   

DROP DEAD PRETTY THINGS (HARDCORE VOLUME) 

A live shopping channel invites something in.  

• Simone Smith, Writer/Director 
• Wendy Griffin, Producer, Selkie Productions
• Tom Kimberley, Executive Producer
• Mark Rossi, Executive Producer

The Bigger Picture is supported by Screen Scotland. 

Twenty two talented filmmakers have been selected by Take Three, Screen Scotland and MG ALBA for the inaugural North Star Shorts and Next Wave programmes. Take Three forms part of Screen Scotland’s new Talent Builder initiative. 

Nine live action fiction projects have been chosen, spanning comedy, horror, dystopia and drama genres.  

Filmmakers will receive development support, including workshops, editorial feedback and bespoke training and will be awarded £25,000 in production funding. Each project will also receive an additional £3,000 to support the writer and producer during the development process. 

The selected projects and filmmakers for North Star Shorts are:  

Appendix: Love 

• Riad Arfin, Writer/Director  
• Charlotte Hailstone, Producer 
• Olivia Gifford, Producer

Clem Frick 

• Heath Virgoe, Writer/Director 
• Sumairaa Kazi, Producer

Ghosts 

• Inma de Reyes, Writer/Director 
• Jess Kelly, Producer 

Layby 

• Jason Bradbury, Writer/Director 
• Isabella Bassett, Producer 

Sundowning 

• Aimie Willemse, Writer/Director  
• Serena Gardner, Producer  

Tonight’s Performance is Cancelled 

• Ross MacKay, Writer 
• Ewan Fletcher, Director  
• Grace Kirkwood, Producer 

The selected projects and filmmakers for Next Wave are:  

Costa Breivig 

• Will Murray, Writer 
• Lana Pheutan, Director 
• David Kerr, Producer 
• Hannah McKirdy, Producer

Enclosure 

• Eubha Akilade, Writer/Director 
• Sophie Chater, Producer 
• Jack Gemmell, Producer 

Welcome 

• Maryam Hamidi, Writer/Director
• Alysia Maciejowska, Producer 
• Shirine Best, Co-Producer  

North Star Shorts is supported by Screen Scotland and BFI NETWORK (awarding funds from The National Lottery); Next Wave is supported by Screen Scotland and MG ALBA.