NORTh STAR ShORTS

(please read before submitting your application)

What is Take Three?

TAKE THREE is a programme of three live action short fiction film initiatives delivered by new company Screen Projects and funded by Screen Scotland and BFI NETWORK (awarding funds from The National Lottery).

What are North Star Shorts?

Six short live action fiction films that are developed and produced by talent based in Scotland and supported by Screen Scotland and BFI NETWORK.

We encourage applications from complete teams of writer, director (or writer/director) and producer. Writers who meet the eligibility criteria but are not part of a team may also apply and will be supported to find a team if selected.

As a writer, director, producer or writer/director, you will have some experience in making short form work: this might be self-funded or student films, or you might be looking to make the transition to live action fiction from documentary, animation or experimental film. In addition, we encourage applications from practitioners working in other mediums such as television, theatre, literature and other forms of visual and/or performing arts. 

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

If you think you need more experience before applying to us, please check the Screen Scotland Talent Builder information for the new talent initiatives Opening Shot and Little Pictures.

What are we looking for?

North Star Shorts 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 new creative voices in Scotland.

If you have been previously funded for a BFI NETWORK short film then you will only be eligible to apply for our Next Wave or The Bigger Picture initiatives which will be launched shortly.

Your short film proposal must fit within the following parameters:

• Budget: Up to £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
• Stories based on real events or people must have either a life rights agreement in place or a strong public domain case, and must not be defamatory
• 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
• Not in full time education between August 2025-May2026 (or until your project has been delivered)
• Fulfil individual eligibility criteria for director, writer or producer as outlined below

Writers are eligible to apply if they have at least one writing credit on any of the following:

• A screen-based work, including a drama broadcast on TV or online, documentary, self-funded short film or web series, student film or artists’ moving image
• A professionally produced theatre or radio play or stand-up comedy show, which has received positive attention, demonstrable by reviews or professional recommendation
• A published novel or a collection of short stories or poems, or self-published writing that has a demonstrable audience or following e.g. a blog, zine or podcast
• A no-budget or micro-budget feature film, funded without film industry support and which has not received theatrical distribution in the UK

Directors must have made at least one previous work that indicates a distinctive directorial vision. Those eligible to apply will have at least one directing credit on any of the following:

• A screen-based work, including a drama broadcast on TV or online, music video, commercials, documentary, a self-funded short film or web series, student film or artists’ moving image
• A professionally produced theatre or radio play or stand-up comedy show, which has received positive attention, demonstrable by reviews or professional recommendation
• A no-budget or micro-budget feature film, funded without film industry support and which has not received theatrical distribution in the UK
• A substantial track record in another visual or performance-based craft, e.g. cinematography, editing, art direction, photography, acting

Writer/Directors i.e. those who intend to write and direct their project must satisfy the eligibility criteria for both Director and Writer as outlined above.   

Producers must be able to demonstrate relevant professional experience, along with a resourceful, can-do attitude and an entrepreneurial spirit. This may include the following: 

• At least one producing credit on any work of fiction (including student films) or equivalent experience of production in documentary, TV, commercials, music video, radio, theatre or any other form of visual entertainment, performance or media
• A demonstrable track record in production management, co-ordination or development
• Relevant transferable skills, e.g. event coordination

Writer/Producers i.e. those who intend to write and produce their project must satisfy the eligibility criteria for both Producer and Writer as outlined above.

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@screenprojects.co.uk 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

Teams or individual writer/directors and writers 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
• CV Summary or Short Bio for core team members (Writer, Director, Producer if attached)
• Examples of previous work of core team members (Writer, Director, Producer if attached); 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

Equality Monitoring 

Each core member of your team – including writer, (s) director(s) and producer(s) – will be asked to complete an equal opportunity 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 opportunity monitoring form.

Environmental Sustainability

All teams applying for North Star Shorts 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 12pm on 26 September 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Once you have 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 likely 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 8 weeks after the application deadline. 

This may be updated if the assessment timeline changes or is delayed.

Selection

Six 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 a draft script and will create an industry standard pitch deck between November 2025 and January 2026. 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. 

In addition to the production budget, £2,000 writer script development costs and £1,000 producer development costs will be available to support this stage.

Production stage

Following satisfactory delivery of a script and pitch deck the project will be greenlit by the TAKE THREE team and Screen Scotland. We anticipate that projects will go into production between February – March 2026, and complete post-production in April for delivery in May 2026.

Budget

North Star Shorts offers awards of up to £25,000, which you may supplement with additional financing (from sources outside of BFI NETWORK/Screen Scotland 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 relating 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@screenprojects.co.uk if you or a member of your team faces any barriers to making an application.

Feedback

Owing to the high number of applications we expect to receive 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.

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 contact office@takethree.scot in the first instance.

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, BFI NETWORK, Screen Scotland and the National Lottery) in the opening and closing credits for the short film;
• 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 the BFI, 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 on the BFI’s website (including BFI Player and BFI NETWORK) 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 BFI NETWORK, Screen Scotland or Screen Projects;
• 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 and to ensure all insurance policies are in place for your production;
• A delivery date by which you agree to finish work on your short film and submit the required delivery materials to us;
• A cash flow 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;
• Standard termination provisions.