Additional £1.25m For Scottish Film And TV Industries

Scottish Government and Creative Scotland are to provide an additional £1.25 million for film and high-end TV production in Scotland, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced.

The funding, being provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, takes the total sum allocated to the Production Growth Fund to £3 million since it was set up in September 2015.

The Production Growth Fund provides an incentive for major film and TV producers to base their work in Scotland, employing Scottish talent, providing skills development, supporting local economies and growing our creative and tourism industries.

The fund has already supported Creative Scotland to secure feature films Etruscan Smile, T2: Trainspotting, Churchill, Hush and Calibre, and High-end TV dramas Loch Ness and In Plain Sight.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "Incentivising major film and TV productions to come to Scotland makes strong economic sense. Every major project filmed here boosts our local and wider creative economy, enhances our international reputation and can attract thousands of new visitors.

"Scotland's exceptionally talented screen sector has proven time and time again it has the skills to deliver world-class films, and our scenery has provided a breathtaking backdrop to many a Hollywood blockbuster.  Productions spent a record £52.7 million in 2015 – almost £7m higher than the previous year and more than double the £23 million spent in 2007.

"Through the Production Growth Fund, and Creative Scotland's wider support for film and TV makers, we are determined to strengthen growth across the screen sector."

Janet Archer, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland, also said:
"Today's announcement reflects our shared ambition to support the conditions necessary to enable Scotland's screen sector to grow and compete meaningfully at home and on the international stage.

"One of the key aims of the Production Growth Fund is to support Scottish producers as well as attract international production into Scotland. In its first year, demand for the fund has been extremely high and the projects supported so far not only further raise the profile of Scotland as an international destination for filmmakers, but also support our world-class craft and technical talent.

"The Production Growth Fund adds to the series of steps taken since publication of our Screen Strategy and is a strong indication of our ongoing commitment to support Scotland's screen sector to thrive, and build a stronger future."

Producer of Churchill (which received Production Growth Funds), Piers Tempest added: "The renewed and enhanced commitment to the Production Growth Fund is excellent and very welcome news for the Scottish industry and will certainly help attract further production spend for Scotland."

(MH)