Next Wave

(please read before submitting your application)

What is Next Wave?

Three short live action fiction films that are developed and produced by previously funded talent based in Scotland. Screen Scotland will support two of these films and in addition there will be a Gaelic language film supported by MG ALBA in collaboration with Screen Scotland

If you want another chance to create a buzz on the festival circuit and feel your filmmaking career could really benefit from making a further short film, then Next Wave is for you.

Producer, writer, director or writer/director applicants should already have made a short film via a BFI Network funded scheme such as the Scottish Film Talent Network, or Short Circuit. Other UK-wide BFI Network schemes will also be valid if the talent is now based in Scotland. For Gaelic language talent, you should have made a short film or TV drama that has received funding or won an award with an industry body such as FilmG, RTS Scotland or BAFTA.

We encourage applications from complete teams of writer, director (or writer/director) and producer. Applications must be submitted by the team producer.

There is no requirement for teams to have made a previous short together.

We encourage applications from individuals who are currently under-represented within the sector and seek to foster equal opportunities for emerging talent from diverse backgrounds, with support on hand for those who need it.

What are we looking for?

Next Wave is seeking original, imaginative and entertaining works of short fiction (live action only) that have international market potential, in line with our goal to spotlight and raise the profile of distinctive creative voices in Scotland. We’d like the Next Wave shorts to get into A list festivals and put the filmmakers firmly on course for their first feature.

Your short film proposal must fit within the following parameters:

• Budget:

  £25,000. Additional third-party finance may be used in addition, and the UK tax credit should be included in the finance plan. A supplementary amount can be included on top of your production budget for Access Costs if required.

• Content:

  Live action fiction. Please note:

• Practical limitations relating to budget and safety – we would encourage you to limit the number of characters and locations in your story
• Adaptations of copyrighted works are not accepted unless worldwide all media in perpetuity rights have already been secured
• Your project must qualify as British in order to claim UK Film Tax Relief (see ‘FAQs’ below for further guidance)

• Duration:

  Maximum 15 minutes

• Delivery:

  May 2026

We also expect projects to reflect good practice outlined within the relevant sections of Screen Scotland’s Diversity Standards, both on and off-screen.

Applicant Criteria

All applicants and team members must meet the following eligibility criteria at the point of application:

• Aged 18 or over
• Based/resident in Scotland, and providing proof of address if selected
• Not in full time education between August 2025-May 2026 (or until your project has been delivered)
• Fulfil individual eligibility criteria for director, writer or producer as outlined below

Writers

are eligible if they have

• Previously written a BFI or Screen Scotland funded short via either the Scottish Film Talent Network or Short Circuit, or another UK wide BFI Network shorts programme.
• A strong track record as a writer with a good sample of your work, and are working with an eligible director
• For Gaelic language talent, you should have written a short film or TV drama that has received industry funding, or won an award with an industry body such as FilmG, RTS Scotland or BAFTA, or have a strong track record in a related field such as acting or directing, and apply with a strong writing sample in Gaelic.

Directors

are eligible if they have

• Previously directed a BFI or Screen Scotland funded short via either the Scottish Film Talent Network or Short Circuit, or another UK wide BFI Network shorts programme.

OR

• For Gaelic language talent, you should have directed a short film or TV drama that has received industry funding, or won an award with an industry body such as FilmG, RTS Scotland or BAFTA, or have a strong track record in a related field such as acting or writing, and apply with a clear example of your directing abilities.

Writer/Directors

are eligible if they have

• Previously directed, or written/directed a BFI or Screen Scotland funded short via either the Scottish Film Talent Network or Short Circuit, or another UK wide BFI Network shorts programme.

OR

• For Gaelic language talent, you should have directed or written/directed a short film or TV drama that has received industry funding, or won an award with an industry body such as FilmG, RTS Scotland or BAFTA, or have a strong track record in a related field such as acting or directing, and apply with a strong writer /director sample in Gaelic.

Producers

are eligible if they have either

• Produced a funded short either via the Scottish Film Talent Network or Short Circuit, or another UK wide BFI Network shorts programme

OR

• A strong track record in scripted production in either film or television, and are applying with eligible writing and directing talent.

OR

• For Gaelic language talent, you should have produced a short film or TV drama that has received industry funding or won an award with an industry body such as FilmG, RTS Scotland or BAFTA, or have a strong track record in production in a related field such as documentary.

If you are unsure of the eligibility of any member of your team, please contact the TAKE THREE team before applying at office@takethree.scot.

How to Apply

Applications should be made via the online application form.

Applications can also be accepted in other formats including:

• Video or audio recording
• Written or recorded in other languages beside English, i.e. Gaelic, Scots or BSL
• Hard copy by post

Please contact the TAKE THREE team via email at office@takethree.scot if you require any assistance navigating our website or the online application form, or if you require the guidelines or application form in a different format.

Submitting your application

Producers, with input from their team, should prepare the following information to include in the online application form.

• Story Outline (500 words max) – an overview of the dramatic action of your proposed short film, from beginning to end
• Personal Statement for each team member (300 words max) – tell us why you want to make this project, and why now. What did you learn from your previous funded short and how have you evolved as filmmakers? Include a paragraph on your proposed first feature, stating the current stage of development.
• CV Summary or Short Bio for core team members (Writer, Director, Producer)
• Examples of previous work of core team members (Writer, Director, Producer) – to view or read
• Supporting links to website, IMDb page or other site to view track record and achievements of core team
• Whether you or any of your core team have any specific access or communication needs
• Applications for a Gaelic language short should be submitted in both Gaelic and English

Equality Monitoring

Each core member of your team – including writer, (s) director(s) and producer(s) – will be asked to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form once your application has been submitted. The data that you submit on this form will be confidential and anonymous and will not be seen by the staff assessing your application.

Please note that we will not be able to put forward your application for assessment until each member of your core team has completed the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.

Environmental Sustainability

All teams applying for funding need to plan their project, from development stage onwards, with the environment and the climate crisis in mind. This means working to reduce your carbon emissions as much as possible, and your impact on the living world; and to maximise the positive environmental benefits your project could have. This will require you to think about the impact of your approach to production; where your energy comes from, in offices and on location; what materials you consume and how you plan for reduction, re-use and recycling, etc. The TAKE THREE team will work with selected project teams to support sustainable practice.

Timeline and Assessment Process

The deadline for applications is midday on Friday 3rd October 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Once you’ve sent us your application you will be sent confirmation that we have received it.

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• The creative strengths of the proposal
• The strengths of the project team
• The likely career progression benefit for filmmakers
• How the story will connect with audiences
• Consideration of how your project reflects good practice outlined within relevant BFI Diversity Standards and gives voice to under-represented groups in Scotland
• The project’s need for National Lottery support
• The overall balance of projects receiving support, to ensure variety in the work being funded

You will be notified of the decision on your application via email no later than 6 weeks after the application deadline.

Selection:

Three films will be selected for development. Production will be greenlit on satisfactory completion of the development stage.

Development stage:

Following selection, teams will develop their short film proposals into draft scripts and will create an industry standard pitch deck. They will be supported by the TAKE THREE team and will have access to masterclasses, editorial feedback, peer-to-peer workshops and additional bespoke training and access support as required. This development period will also involve selected NORTH STAR filmmakers, allowing for good networking opportunities. There will be a £2k fee for writers or writer/directors in the development stage, and a £1k fee for producers. This is in addition to the production budget.

Production stage:

Following satisfactory delivery of a script and pitch deck the project will be greenlit by the TAKE THREE team and Screen Scotland. An MG ALBA Executive will also be involved in the selection of the Gaelic language short film. We expect projects to go into production between January 2026 and March 2026, and complete post-production between April and May 2026. Please do not apply if you cannot stick to these timeframes.

Budget

Next Wave offers awards of up to £25,000, which you may supplement with additional financing (from sources outside of Screen Scotland/MG ALBA funds). Please note that the funding from Take Three will be a grant and outside the scope of VAT.

Costs relating to Access support (see section below) relating to health and wellbeing needs, may also be requested in addition to the core budget if needed.

Projects selected to receive funding will also have training and assistance if required in relation to applying for UK Film Tax Relief.

Access

If any members of your team have personal access needs that will incur a cost during the development or production of your short film, you can apply for additional funding support. We define such needs as specific support required under the protected characteristics of the Equality Act.

Access costs in this context can include, but are not limited to, the following:

• personal assistance support
• transport
• accommodation
• equipment including adaptations
• communication support such as BSL interpreter, note taker, speech to text reporter, lip speaker, translation of documents into other formats/language, translation of documents into Easy Read or other formats such as large print or audio, translation support if English is not your first language
• communication support provided remotely or purchasing software and equipment to deliver communication support

We can also provide support to applicants who are D/deaf, hard-of-hearing, Disabled or neurodiverse, and people with sight loss, where this support is needed.

Please email office@takethree.scot if you or a member of your team faces any barriers to making an application.

Feedback

We will not be able to give feedback on individual applications.

We welcome your feedback on the application process and how we might improve it.

What happens if I am awarded funding?

If your project is greenlit and your team receives a production award of £25,000, you will be required to enter into an agreement with Screen Projects that sets out the terms and conditions of our funding, which takes the form of a non-recoupable grant. The agreement will include the following:

• A requirement to include specified credits (for Take Three, Screen Scotland and the National Lottery) in the opening and closing credits for the short film – the Gaelic language short film will have distinct MG ALBA credit requirements;
• A legal undertaking by you that the work being funded is wholly original to you and your team and that all third party materials incorporated in the film are cleared for use in the film in all media in perpetuity;
• A permanent, non-exclusive license to Screen Projects and Screen Scotland to copy, reproduce and or exhibit the Film (1) non-theatrically and non-commercially including without limitation in educational establishments or by online means via a password protected site such as Vimeo, throughout the world in perpetuity and (2) the right to use clips from the Film for promotional purposes in relation to the Film or in relation to promoting Screen Scotland or Screen Projects. Producers of the Gaelic language short film will be required to agree license terms with MG ALBA including but not limited to an exclusive premiere free-to-air broadcast on BBC ALBA, inclusion on BBC iPlayer in the UK and/or BBC ALBA YouTube worldwide (subject to any commercial distribution arrangements) for a five year period, and clip use for promotional or corporate purposes worldwide, after a set theatrical window;
• A right of approval on the final draft script;
• A right of approval on each cut of the film;
• A right of approval on all main production elements (including Heads of Department) and final credits;
• A requirement to allow yourself to be named as additional insured on the Screen Projects insurance policy;
• A delivery date by which you agree to finish work on your short film and submit the required delivery materials to us;
• A cashflow that breaks down the award total into instalments, with the final payment (usually 10%) being subject to submission to us of the final cut and delivery materials. The majority of the award, including any access or health & wellbeing funding where requested, is paid upfront. Any underspend on the award will be retained by, or reimbursed to Screen Projects;
• A detailed Deliverables sheet with full information on the materials required, the cost of which must be contained in the budget for the film;
• An undertaking from you to acknowledge publicly that you have received National Lottery funding. The support provided by Screen Projects is only possible because of the National Lottery. We ask the filmmakers we fund to do everything they can to acknowledge the National Lottery as the source of this funding. This includes displaying the National Lottery logo on your short film, related marketing materials, press releases and on the front pages of project websites. We ask beneficiaries to actively acknowledge and spread the word about their project being made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, whenever they can. This includes mentioning the National Lottery, at a minimum, on press releases, on print and marketing materials, online including through social media, and when speaking to the industry and the wider public about the project. The Gaelic language short film should additionally acknowledge the funding provided by MG ALBA, in an identical manner;
• Standard termination provisions.

Complaints

You may only make a formal complaint against a funding decision if you have good cause to believe that the procedures for processing your application were not adhered to or applied in such a way as to prejudice the outcome of an application. In this case, please refer to the complaints procedure included in our Terms & Conditions.