Written by Kianna Best on Nov 14, 2023. Posted in General Interest

Screen Scotland secures GBP 3 million for BFI Skills Cluster

As part of the BFI Skills Cluster roll out across the UK, Screen Scotland have been the most recent addition to the roster. Receiving an impressive GBP 3 million, funding will contribute to three years of film and TV skills development opportunities in Scotland. The three projects initially supported will be in virtual production, broadcast skills, and skills transfer to a career in animation, VFX and games sectors.

Sara Whybrew, Director of Skills and Workforce Development at the BFI, said: “The BFI is committed to supporting the growth of local crew bases in production hotspots across the UK, including in geographical areas that have been too easily overlooked for investment previously. Screen Scotland’s leadership, and that of its local partners, means we can develop and roll out skills and training initiatives that augment and complement existing interventions and in doing so ensure we reach new and diverse talent.”

Focussing on future-facing technologies in VFX, virtual production and animation, Screen Scotland’s involvement with the BFI Cluster Skills will prioritise three initial projects. These include a first of its kind fellowship in virtual production, broadcast skills training under the Stornoway Studio Training programme, and RESET which supports people from different backgrounds hoping to transfer their skills to a new career path in animation, VFX and gaming. This instalment of the Skills Cluster initiative will also aim to develop crew skills in Gaelic language production.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “I am delighted that this funding, of £3m over three years, will be able to support such a wide range of skills and talent development programmes across Scotland. We know that investing in skills, education, and training is the best way to ensure that those who want to build a career in our thriving screen sector are able to do so. And by building that workforce, we are securing a sustainable, resilient future for the Scottish screen industry, with all the wider economic, creative, and cultural benefits that brings.”

Isabel Davis, Screen Scotland’s Executive Director said: “The skills landscape in film and TV is constantly evolving and the line between film, TV and games is increasingly blurred. Thanks to the support of the Scottish Government and the BFI awarding National Lottery funding, Scotland is in a strong position to establish itself at the forefront of these new technologies. Sustained funding commitments such as the BFI/Screen Scotland Skills Cluster allow national bodies, local industry and individual productions to provide structured training where it’s most needed, making the most of those new opportunities. This additional BFI Cluster funding complements the annual investment of £2.1m Screen Scotland already makes to support skills development and training initiatives. We see this investment as core to our strategy to grow Scotland’s film and TV sector and sustain rewarding and creative jobs across the country.”

Over the three years, the BFI will contribute GBP 1.1 million of its National Lottery funding, joined by an additional GBP 800,000 from the Scottish Government. A further GBP 1.1 million from a range of industry partners and leveraged by public agencies will be invested into Scotland’s crew skills. In line with the BFI Cluster Skills initiative’s motivations, the recent funding announcement displays a clear focus on uplifting the local film and TV industry in Scotland, as well as welcoming newcomers to the industry through education and training, and improving the sustainability of the industry by providing opportunities for long term employment.

Screen Scotland will be in attendance at this year's FOCUS convention from 5-6 December at the Islington Business Design Centre. Register here for FREE for the opportunity to attend the DEVELOPING THE PRODUCTION WORKFORCE session led by Sara Whybrew, Director of Skills and Workforce Development at the BFI, along with the opportunity to meet our other exhibitors during the 2 day event.

Image courtesy of Brands and People by Unsplash