Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026 to present
World Premiere of NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab Short Films
The NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is supported by
the Sean Connery Foundation and BBC Film
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), the National Film and Television School (NFTS) Scotland and The Sean Connery Foundation have announced that the six short films created as part of the second NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab will have their World Premieres as part of this year’s Film Festival.
The short films are Bubbles (Writer/Director: Jagoda Tlok); Shutterbug (Writer/Director: Fin Bain); My Little Blue Heart (Writer/Director: Iqbal Mohammed); PANG (Writer/Director: Lara Delmage); St Anthony (Writer/Director: Declan Dineen); Angel in the House (Writer/Director: Missy McNaught).
These six films will World Premiere at EIFF’s prestigious showcase event with an invite list of key industry figures from across Scotland, the UK and beyond. This is the second consecutive year that NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab films have had their World Premiere at EIFF.
Made with the financial support and creative guidance of BBC Film, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is a transformative 12-month talent development programme which provides a unique opportunity for 22 aspiring filmmakers across five disciplines (writer/directors, producers, cinematographers and editors) to create their own unique short films. To ensure the programme is as accessible to as many people as possible, each of the 22 places have been substantially subsidised, with 70% of fees underwritten by the Sean Connery Foundation.
Located in Leith, Edinburgh, close to the expanding creative quarter under development by FirstStage Studios in partnership with Forth Ports and others, the participating filmmakers from across Scotland have embarked on a collaborative filmmaking journey which began in April 2025. Six dynamic filmmaking teams were assembled, gaining access to a first-class training curriculum, made up of seminars, hands-on workshops and mentorship opportunities. Dedicated guidance from renowned NFTS Heads of Department and prominent industry executives, including BBC Film, also enriched and enhanced the development and post-production process.
Each filmmaking team received a £25,000 production budget, with free access to cutting-edge equipment and unrivalled training facilities provided by NFTS Scotland. The tailor-made programme has been designed to further amplify the expertise of each participant in their respective craft specialism, allowing them to refine their skills and push the boundaries of creativity.
The programme was also designed to be part-time, enabling participants to strike a balance between other paid work and professional engagements. Aligned with the unwavering commitment of NFTS to promoting diversity within the industry, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive experience for disabled and neuro-divergent individuals, including those with conditions such as dyslexia, a cause close to the heart of The Sean Connery Foundation. Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be awarded an NFTS Diploma in Filmmaking.
Now, after an intensive 12 months, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab has culminated in the creation of six short films that serve as powerful industry ‘calling cards’, offering an invaluable launchpad for the 22 talented individuals to make their mark on the world of film.
The NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is supported by a wide range of industry partners, trusts and foundations who have pledged their support to underpin the programme with additional funding, bursaries and scholarships. BBC Film is the production partner with several other partners joining the Talent Lab including: The Dana and Albert Broccoli Foundation, FirstStage Studios, Blazing Griffin, DNA Films, Hartswood Films, Juniper Trust, LS Productions, the Rank Foundation, Synchronicity Films, Baillie Gifford and Progressive Broadcast Hire.
Paul Ridd, CEO and Festival Director of EIFF, has said: “We were once again highly impressed by the range, quality and ambition of these short films. We are delighted to World Premiere the work emerging from this exciting initiative, and we look forward to these new filmmaking voices from Scotland announcing themselves at Edinburgh in August.”
Jon Wardle, NFTS Director said: "It’s so rewarding to see the second slate of NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab films premiere at EIFF. Having these six compelling films make their debut at Scotland’s leading film festival is a powerful reflection of the Lab’s ethos, the commitment of our partners, and above all, the extraordinary talent emerging from the filmmaking community across Scotland and beyond.”
Chris Young, Head of the Sean Connery Talent Lab commented: “It’s incredibly exciting to see a second slate of films from the Sean Connery Talent Lab premiere once again at EIFF. The success of our debut films demonstrated not only the value of this programme but the strength and originality of emerging filmmaking talent in Scotland. These latest films continue that momentum, showcasing distinctive and ambitious storytelling.”
Alice Ojha, Commissioning Executive, BBC Film, said: “We're delighted that the six films from the second year of the lab will receive their world premiere at EIFF; it's brilliant to see the work of the Sean Connery Talent Lab’s participants being recognised by the festival in this way. The range and quality of the films speaks to the wealth of emerging film talent coming out of Scotland and beyond. BBC Film is proud to have been involved in supporting this slate of films and very excited for them to be enjoyed by audiences in Edinburgh this coming August!”
Stephane and Jason Connery, on behalf of the Sean Connery Foundation, said: "We are incredibly proud of what this second cohort of Sean Connery Talent Lab filmmakers has achieved. The creativity, ambition and dedication they have shown throughout the programme is reflected in this outstanding new slate of films.
We are also deeply grateful to the many industry mentors and guest lecturers who have helped make the Talent Lab such a unique experience. Their generosity in sharing their knowledge, including contributors such as Andy Harries, creator and executive producer of The Crown, has played an invaluable role in supporting these emerging filmmakers as they take the next step in their careers."
Edinburgh International Film Festival will run from 13-19 August 2026. Building on EIFF’s reinvigorated vision under new leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival continues to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.
More information will be released on the shape of the 2026 Festival, venues and key strategic partners in the coming months.
EIFF 2026 is supported by Screen Scotland and the BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund.
The EIFF team continues to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. The Festival is supported by a Board chaired by Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting, including Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, producer and former Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and gaming executive Romana Ramzan.
