Access: Scotland is a Screen Scotland collaboration with VisitScotland, EventScotland, Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot, and the National Trust for Scotland.
Screen Scotland is working with these organisations to open-up precincts (places and story hubs of interest) to a TV audience such as castles, stately homes, nature reserves, events and festivals, to create TV series with international appeal.
Scotland-based production companies are invited to submit proposals, via Screen Scotland, for access-driven unscripted series in genres such as documentary, science, history, arts, and popular factual. Development funding of £50,000 from Screen Scotland’s Broadcast Content Fund is earmarked to be split between up to 5 successful proposals.
Series development ideas should be based on a precinct within the five partner organisations’ suite of precincts and story hubs. The required access for each proposal will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and each partner organisation will consider cross-organisational access and engagement between all of the initiative's partners.
Scotland-based production companies can submit an initial two-page proposal to Screen Scotland, which must demonstrate broadcaster or streamer interest. Screen Scotland will collate and check submissions for eligibility before passing on to the partner organisations for review and consideration.
Successful production companies will then be invited to a pitching stage in front of representatives from the partner organisations, potential precincts and Screen Scotland, to secure filming access for their proposed project. If initial access is won through this pitching round, a development award will be available for the filming of taster tapes and broadening out of written treatments. Please see the full timeline in the Access: Scotland Support Guidance.
Please note that each production company can submit a maximum of two proposals. Only Scotland-based production companies are eligible for this initiative.
Submissions are open until Friday 5 March at 6pm.
Virtual briefing
Our virtual briefing with the partner organisations took place on Thursday 28 January.
Submit a proposal
Download the Access: Scotland Project Guidance (PDF, opens in a new window)
Download the Access: Scotland Precincts Suggestions (PDF, opens in a new window)
Submit a proposal to the Access: Scotland Online Portal
View the Privacy Notice