Presenting the Bigger Picture Filmmakers 2026/27

Aimed at raising the profile of our most talented Scotland-based filmmakers, the year two Bigger Picture short films are now in development with Take Three. These exciting filmmaking teams will use their distinct voices to bring bold and unique short stories to life and showcase their talents globally.

There will be one MG ALBA funded Gaelic language film, alongside three English language films supported by Screen Scotland, doubling the number of projects selected in year one.

Part of Screen Scotland’s Talent Builder, Take Three will provide a contribution of £90,000 to each film’s production budget, as well as bespoke support throughout the script development period.

Nigheadaireachd Shalach (Dirty Laundry) 

While war rages in Europe, housekeeper Effie nurses her badly-wounded mistress on a tiny Scottish island. But then the arrival of a boatman with secrets of his own forces Effie to confront the disturbing allegiances of her charge, and she is left questioning where her own loyalties should lie.

  • Mairi Kidd, Writer
  • Mairead Hamilton, Director

Two side-by-side headshots of women smiling. On the left, a woman with long dark hair, bangs, and light skin smiles towards the camera, wearing a black scoop-neck top adorned with a silver swan brooch. She wears small blue earrings, and the background shows colourful, blurred chairs. On the right, a woman with shoulder-length brown hair pinned back and light skin smiles towards the camera, wearing a black scoop-neck top. The background is a soft, out-of-focus grey.

Scissor Man

James is convinced his Mum is being stalked by a frightening figure that pursues them one day after school. But, as her behaviour grows strange and destructive, it seems she is not being entirely honest with him.

  • Sean Lìonadh, Writer/Director
  • Ross McKenzie, Producer
  • Alfredo Covelli, Co-Producer

A triptych of three close-up portraits of men. On the left, a young man with dark, wavy hair and a moustache tilts his head upward in a pensive gaze. He wears a light-coloured, unbuttoned shirt over a white tank top and a thin gold necklace. In the centre, a man with short, dark hair and light stubble smiles warmly, looking slightly off-camera to the left. On the right, a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair, blue eyes, and a neat beard looks directly into the camera with a subtle expression. He wears an olive green shirt.

The Baking

A ferociously ambitious and unstable woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown must go to extreme lengths to succeed as a contestant on popular TV show Top Crumb.

  • Tom Nicoll, Writer/Director
  • David Jack, Producer

Two side-by-side portraits. Left: A man with glasses and a green beanie looks upwards while holding a video camera, wearing a brown fleece pullover. Right: A man smiles outdoors in front of a stone wall, wearing tinted sunglasses, a dark blazer with a thistle boutonniere, a white shirt, and a patterned tie.

The Thing I Said Or Did Or Am

Angela inadvertently reveals something unspeakably awful about herself to a theatre full of people while taking part in a live hypnosis show. Now she needs to figure out what it was.

  • Ciaran Lyons, Writer/Director
  • Beth Allan, Producer

Two side-by-side portraits. Left: A bald man in a yellow winter jacket smiles, propped on his elbow on a grassy bank in front of blooming yellow daffodils. Right: A close-up headshot of a smiling woman with wavy, light-coloured hair and blue eyes, wearing a dark jacket over an orange sweater.