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SCOTTISH FILM & TV TALENT ANNOUNCED FOR DEVELOPMENT RESIDENCY ON SKYE

Six aspiring filmmakers have secured a week’s summer residency in Skye where they’ll be coached by some of the country’s top Film and TV  professionals.

Congratulations to the finalists: Daisy Costello, Glasgow, Emma Lennox, Glasgow, John Murdo MacAulay, Isle of Lewis, , Omar Raza, Glasgow, Michael Lee Richardson, Glasgow and Ali Taylor, Glasgow

Writers, producers and directors behind shows like Poldark, Derry Girls, Killing Eve, Dr Who and The Inbetweeners will mentor the six, who were chosen from scores of applicants throughout Scotland, for this year’s Young Films Foundation project.

The six were chosen for the talent scheme for would-be writers, directors and producers pioneered by Scottish Film & TV producer, Chris Young,   at BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay onThursday April 25, 2019. 

The successful six will come to Young Films’ studios at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, on the Isle of Skye, to take part in a week-long residency in June. Throughout the week they will be given the opportunity to work intensively on their Film & TV projects while receiving first class mentoring support from some of the leading authorities in the industry.

Some of the mentors taking part this year are: Foundation ambassador Joe Thomas (The Inbetweeners); Scottish producer Margaret Matheson; former head of drama at Channel 4, Beth Willis (now The Forge Entertainment); Dan MacRae (Head of Development, Studio Canal); writer Francesca Gardiner (Killing Eve); producer Caroline Leddy (Derry Girls); director Johnny Campbell (The Last Post, The Casual Vacancy and  Dr Who) and Will MacGregor (Gwen, Poldark).

Young Films has been developing and producing the long-running drama series, Bannan on Skye since 2014. Extensive investment in training and developing new Gaelic-speaking talent for the show inspired the Young Films Foundation to be created, with backing from Film4, Channel 4, BBC Scotland, BBC Films, MG ALBA, Screen Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Torabhaig Distillery.

After a successful pilot year in 2018, Chris Young said:

“We are back in 2019 with renewed vigour, knowing our model works. We’ve received another bumper crop of applications, and with new partners BBC Scotland and BBC Films, we are relishing our opportunity to work with this year’s final six. Last year’s participants have all been extremely successful in progressing their careers and we are very proud of them and their achievements.”

Kate Forbes MSP passed on her congratulations:

“Hearty congratulations to the six finalists who, I know, will have an incredibly valuable time on the Young Films Foundations Skye Residency.

“Young Films has made an enormous contribution to the Scottish film industry and to the Isle of Skye. The focus on training the next generation of talent has already equipped and supported so many people.

“I wish the six finalists every success as they work with Young Films and in their future careers.”

The Young Films Foundation is a partnership between Young Films, Film4, Channel 4, BBC Scotland, BBC Films, MG ALBA, Screen Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Torabhaig Distillery.

About the Final 6 Participants:

John Murdo MacAulay is an ambitious new Gaelic Director, with over 5 years industry experience working at post-production house, Corran Media as an editor, director and cameraman. He has also worked on Bannan as a trainee-director.

Emma Lennox is Glasgow based screen-writer. She currently has projects in development in London, Paris, Liverpool as well as Glasgow. Her ambition is to be based in Scotland working in writers’ rooms and ultimately as a show creator.

Omar Raza is an Actor and Writer from Glasgow, he has enjoyed success as part of a writers’ guild for award-winning “Fags, Mags and Bags” and the BAFTA award-winning comedy “Limmy’s Show”. As a writer he aims to promote authentic stories from under-represented backgrounds.

Michael Lee Richardson is a BAFTA Scotland winning writer based in Glasgow. Michael narrowly missed out on taking part in the residency last year so we are delighted to be welcoming him to Skye this year.

Ali Taylor is a writer from Glasgow, she is a member of the BBC Writers’ room Scotland’s inaugural TV Drama Group. Having spent 20 years as a copywriter she is set on getting some TV drama credits under her belt.

Daisy Costello is a Scottish producer and script editor who aims to deliver high-end drama stories. Living in Glasgow with her young family she wants to tell stories which remind audiences of what they value most. She is currently working as a script editor on River City.

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