The BiggeR PictuRe

The Bigger Picture, as part of Take Three, is one element of Screen Scotland’s new film talent development programme, Talent Builder, which is designed to develop the next generation of Scotland-based filmmaking talent. 

The Bigger Picture, run by TAKE THREE, will support up to three short fiction films (live action only) that are developed and produced by filmmakers based in Scotland.

This programme is aimed at filmmakers who have either made a funded feature already or are in development on a first feature film with some demonstrable industry interest. Screen Scotland will fund up to three films.

Applications must have a complete team of writer, director (or writer/director) and producer, all based in Scotland. The producer must submit the application, and this producer should either have a strong track record in fiction (film or TV) production or be working with an executive producer who specialises in making fiction for film or high-end-TV.

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

Filmmakers based rurally, who are socially or economically excluded or disadvantaged, are disabled or with a long-term health condition or and/or who are of a minoritised ethnicity are under-represented within the sector. We encourage applications from filmmakers from such backgrounds and will provide relevant support for those who need it. 

The Bigger Picture is seeking original, bold 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. The Bigger Picture shorts will be getting into A list festivals and helping the wider industry to feel confident about funding the filmmakers’ feature films.

Your short film proposal must fit within the following parameters:

• Maximum award: £90,000. In addition, we expect the applicant producer to raise some third -party finance to help demonstrate interest in the filmmakers and project. This could include (but is not limited to) a broadcaster licence fee, funding from another public body, private investment, or crowdfunding. Financing terms of third-party funding will need to be compatible with our award.  The UK tax credit should also be included in the finance plan. In addition to the award of up to £90,000 from The Bigger Picture, a supplementary award may be available for access costs, if required.
• Content: Live action fiction. Please note:
  • Practical limitations relating to budget and safety 
  • Adaptations of copyrighted works are not accepted unless worldwide all media in perpetuity rights have already been secured
  • Your project must qualify as British and claim UK Film Tax Relief (see ‘FAQs’ below for further guidance)
• Duration: Maximum 15 minutes
• Delivery: Before September 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. 

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

• Aged 18 or over
• Resident in Scotland
• Not in full time education between October 2025-September 2026 (or until your project has been delivered)
• Fulfil individual eligibility criteria for director, writer or producer as outlined below
• Be actively developing a feature film project

Writers are eligible if they have:

• written a short film that has played at a major festival, or
• written a feature film that has been distributed either within the UK or internationally, or 
• received funding from a recognised industry body – such as the BFI, BBC Film or Film4 – for a feature screenplay, or
• gained critical acclaim in a related field such as theatre, television or literature 

Directors are eligible if they have:

• directed a short film that has played at a major festival, or 
• directed a feature film that has been distributed either within the UK or internationally, or
• received critical acclaim in theatre or television drama/comedy  

Writer/Directors are eligible if they have:

• directed, or written and directed a short film that has played at a major festival, or
• directed a feature film that has been distributed either within the UK or internationally, or 
• received critical acclaim in both these roles in theatre or television drama/comedy

Producers are eligible if they have:

• Produced a short that has played at a major festival, or a feature film that has received distribution either within the UK or internationally, or
• A strong track record including industry acclaim in scripted TV production, or
• Produced live action fiction that has had some success in festivals, and have teamed up with an experienced scripted Executive Producer and production company

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

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

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.

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

• Story Outline, draft script or final draft script – we will accept applications at all stages of development
• Personal Statement for each team member (300 words max) – tell us why you want to make this project, and why now. Include a paragraph on your first or next feature, stating the current stage of development and industry interest
• 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
• A mood board or other supporting visuals
• A pitch deck, if submitting what you regard as a final draft script 
• Whether you or any of your core team have any specific access or communication needs

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

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.

The deadline for applications is midday on Monday 10th November 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 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.

Up to 3 films will be selected.  

Each selected project will receive bespoke script development tailored in collaboration with our Programme Directors and Screen Scotland.

Production will be greenlit on satisfactory completion of any further development needed on script.

We will also require a pitch deck prior to greenlight – this can be included in your application form if applying with a final draft script or worked on during the development period.

Following satisfactory delivery of a script and pitch deck, the project will be greenlit by the TAKE THREE team and Screen Scotland. 

We expect projects to begin pre-production any time from March 2026, with delivery by September 2026.  Please do not apply if you cannot stick to these timeframes.  

The Bigger Picture offers awards of £90,000, which you must supplement with additional financing (from sources outside of Screen Scotland funds) and the UK tax credit. 

Please note that the Take Three funding from Screen Scotland will be a grant and outside the scope of VAT.

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

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.

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.

If your project is greenlit and your team receives a production award of £90,000, 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
• 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 licence 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
• 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, or to put all your own necessary insurance policies in place
• 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
• Standard termination provisions

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.