Scottish Screen announce scheme to fund new films

The deadline for submissions to New Found Films, a new first feature film scheme sponsored by Scottish TV, Grampian TV and Scottish Screen, is Friday March 22, 2002.
Planned as an extension of the successful New Found Land short-film drama scheme, it is intended that two feature film scripts will be chosen to be put into production for premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2003 and on the ITV network.
Applicants must have a proven track record in the industry (although not
necessarily in drama) and all applications must have full producer/writer/director teams in place for their submission. The various stages of production will be monitored and managed by Scottish Screen. This feature film initiative follows on the success of New Found Land half-hour drama scheme, now in its third year, which has produced several successful dramas such as 'Kings of the Wild Frontier', 'Leonard', 'Lost' and 'Blackout'.
Steve McIntyre (Pictured), Chief Executive of Scottish Screen, sees New Found Films as a real chance for production teams who have already made their mark in drama, or other areas, to move into feature film production.
He said: "This is an important scheme and we will work hard with the teams to make sure that the successful applicants can make the most of what is a really great opportunity to further their careers. I have no doubt that this chance to move up a gear will be well received by the Scottish production community. I am looking forward to seeing the scripts as they come in."
New Found Films will be funded by SMG Television and the Scottish Screen Lottery to the tune of £200,000 for each 90-minute production. The scheme aims to encourage producers to use and understand digital processes by exploring digital production techniques so the films should originate on a standard digital broadcast standard such as Digibeta. However, additional funding may be made available to generate a 35mm print where required. The two films will be premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2003, as well as being entered for similar festivals world-wide.
So scriptwriters with powerful, contemporary and inspirational proposals with a storyline relevant to a Scottish audience, but with a wider international appeal should check the Scottish Screen at:
www.scottishscreen.com
(GB)