Glasgow Film Festival Announces Support for 19 Emerging Scottish Filmmakers
FILM NEWS | 12 NOVEMBER 2026
Glasgow Film Festival has announced a host of award-winning filmmakers and leading industry executives who will help nurture 19 emerging Scotland-based filmmakers through two of its established talent development programmes.
The festival's New Talent Mentorship Scheme and Animatic animation lab will bring together experienced directors, producers and executives from organisations including Netflix, the BFI and leading animation studios, providing the next generation of Scottish filmmaking talent with invaluable industry guidance and support.
Among those involved are Oscar-winning director Brenda Chapman, whose credits include Brave and The Prince of Egypt, Netflix executive Lauren Castro, and film production and finance executive Tom Harberd, whose credits include Black Mass, Tár and Talk to Me.
They will be joined by BAFTA and Sundance-winning filmmaker Felipe Bustos Sierra (Nae Pasaran, Everybody to Kenmure Street), Emmy-winning director Lindsey Dryden (The Callers, Lost and Sound), filmmaker Tom Nicoll (Salvation) and Hasbro Entertainment's Ayoola Solarin.
Developing Scotland's Animation Talent
Now entering its fourth year, Animatic will support the development of two animated feature films and four animated television series from Scotland-based creatives, with the ambition of reaching international audiences.
The six projects include feature films DEATH INC. and Permanent Resident, alongside television projects After-Chef, Beats of War, The Moon Cat and The Petectives.
Participants will undertake a six-month programme of workshops, training sessions and industry meetings before presenting their projects at GFF Industry Focus, which takes place from 1 to 5 March 2027.
The programme will culminate in a live pitching event, with prizes of £6,000 for Best Features Pitch and £3,000 for Best Series Pitch. The latter, known as the Börödzo Prize, is sponsored by Astley Baker Davies, the animation studio behind Peppa Pig.
Guiding the Next Generation of Filmmakers
Meanwhile, the New Talent Mentorship Scheme returns for its eighth year, offering emerging filmmakers the opportunity to work closely with established directors over six months.
This year's participants include Alyson Thompson, Fin Bain, Kate Hammer, Klarissa Webster, Lisa Kerr Walker, Meray Diner, Miranda Stern and Niamh West.
Confirmed mentors include Felipe Bustos Sierra, Lindsey Dryden and Tom Nicoll, with further names to be announced.
One participant from each of the two programmes will also receive a £1,750 award from The Bridge Awards in recognition of their commitment and achievements during the schemes.
"From executives at Netflix to award-winning directors, the wealth of industry knowledge and experience brought to our labs from these leaders is invaluable to our participants. We can't wait to see how the filmmakers develop."
Samantha Bennett, Glasgow Film Festival Industry Manager
Both initiatives form part of Glasgow Film Festival's ongoing commitment to supporting new voices and improving diversity within the UK screen industries. Animatic is supported by the Scottish Government's Expanded Festivals Fund through Creative Scotland, while the New Talent Mentorship Scheme is funded by the William Grant Foundation.
Glasgow Film Festival 2027
Glasgow Film Festival 2027 takes place from 24 February to 7 March, with the full festival programme scheduled to be announced on 20 January 2027.
GFF Industry Focus runs from 1 to 5 March, with its programme announcement scheduled for 27 January 2027.
Further information about the festival and its talent development programmes can be found at the official Glasgow Film Festival website.
Source: Glasgow Film Festival