Young Films Foundation Launches New Writing Talent Scheme

Young Films Foundation has unveiled a new writing talent scheme that offers participants the opportunity to work with U.K. broadcasters, professional mentors and industry experts in a year-long program.

Film and TV producer Chris Young has teamed up with producer Beth Willis from The Forge to expand the scope and ambition of the program that was first launched as a pilot in 2017, creating a fully 360-degree commissioning experience for this year’s selected participants. The scheme will see the participants take their ideas from pitch to a commissioned script.

Each of the seven selected participants will receive a full TV drama, comedy or feature film script commission from either Channel 4 Drama, Channel 4 Comedy, BBC Drama, MG Alba/BBC Alba, BBC Films, Film4 or Sky. Each participant will receive a full script fee from the broadcaster with which they’re partnered, while each broadcaster has the first right of refusal over the script they have commissioned. Alongside Young Films, Screen Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Channel 4 Nations and Regions and Torabhaig Distillery are providing key financial support. Another addition to the scheme will see each participant assigned a leading industry mentor who will be available to give support and advice throughout the year-long program.

Experts from the world of film and TV such as Karen Gillan, Lenny Abrahamson, Neil Gaiman, Nicole Taylor, Daisy Haggard, PeterStraughan, Andrew Macdonald, Jackie Kay and John Yorke among others will engage with the participants in online sessions throughout the year and at a week-long residency on Skye in 2022. The year will culminate with a week-long residency on the Isle of Skye in May 2022.

The scheme is now open for applications to all Scottish residents. This year it is looking for writers from all backgrounds—from experienced screenwriters looking to write their first feature film; to novice screenwriters; to authors and playwrights looking for a change in direction.

Chris Young said: “We’re incredibly excited to be taking our new talent scheme to the next level. This is an extraordinary opportunity for new Scottish screenwriters at a time when there has never been a greater demand for high-quality, authored and original film and TV scripts. Writing talent doesn’t get enough opportunity in Scotland to realize its ambition and, by scaling up our program, we hope it will be a powerful way to connect new Scottish screenwriters with the big business. We are very lucky to have this incredible vote of confidence in Scotland from these broadcasters and are delighted to be joined by such a high-quality range of mentors and experts willing to share truthfully their wisdom and insight. Skye is such a unique and inspiring place, and we can’t wait to welcome the participants, commissioners, mentors and experts at the culmination of the year-long program. My advice to applicants is—think very hard about the project you want to bring because it will be interrogated from every angle by some of the best minds in the U.K. film and TV industry.”

Beth Willis said: “The 2021 YFF scheme will give new Scottish talent the opportunity not just to be paid to write a script, with a wealth of incredible Film and Television talent at their side—but it will also give them invaluable experience of the industry. Feedback on ideas and drafts from commissioners, a rigorous development process and advice on everything from how to appeal to an agent, to how to write scripts that might sell—each part of the program will give the participants a 360 map for their future career.”