Screen Scotland and BBC hunt factual series
Screen Scotland, BBC Two and BBC Scotland have announced a new joint initiative to encourage Scottish independent production companies to develop factual series ideas for commission and broadcast.
BBC Scotland and BBC Two are seeking proposals for 8 x 60 factual series which have the scale to return.
Following shortlisting, a development fund of £15,000 will be shared across a number of successful proposals from independent production companies, jointly funded by Screen Scotland and the BBC. The successful series will be broadcast on BBC Scotland and then at 8pm on BBC Two.
Interested production companies are invited to submit proposals via BBC Pitch by midnight on 7 January 2020.
Dani Carlaw, head of unscripted at Screen Scotland said: “This joint initiative offers Scotland based production companies a compelling opportunity to not only develop up returnable factual propositions that could go to series, but to supercharge already held relationships with BBC Scotland and BBC TWO.
"This is also a unique chance for newer indies to take the leap at getting vital relationships like these off the ground for the very first time.
David Harron, commissioning executive, factual at BBC Scotland said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for the factual sector in Scotland to have a substantial series commissioned for BBC Scotland and BBC Two, with the aim of establishing a potentially returnable brand."
The initiative comes as BBC Two is working with all the UK nations to create a portfolio of 32 documentaries, with the potential for some to go to a second series.
Also on The Knowledge
UK unveils £7m Global Screen Fund
The UK government has unveiled the first details of the Global Screen Fund, an alternative to the European Union’s Creative Europe MEDIA programme, which the UK film and TV sector will exit at the end of 2020 due to Brexit.
Scottish docs sought
Screen Scotland and Sky have announced a new strategic development initiative to broaden Sky’s supplier base in Scotland for documentary series and films.
Film & TV Production Restart scheme opens
Submissions are now open for the UK government’s Film and TV Production Restart scheme.
Broadcast Awards 2021 open for entries
The Broadcast Awards 2021 are now open for entries, having been pushed back to allow for the disruption caused by Covid-19.
Government reveals £500m insurance fund
The government has announced a £500m restart scheme to aid UK domestic productions facing Covid-related insurance issues, which is estimated to cover more than 70% of projects.
BFI launches fund for film sales orgs
The BFI has launched a £500,000 Covid-19 UK Sales Company Organisational Support Fund to support business development impacted by the pandemic.
