Freedom Scripted and Philip Shelley are delighted to announce that in 2027 we will be running a new screenwriting initiative for Scotland-based screenwriters.
This is an initiative to work with, showcase and provide a pathway into the commercial world of scripted TV, for the best new screenwriting talent in Scotland. The course is majority funded by Screen Scotland with further support from the ScreenSkills High end TV Skills Fund.
Applications can be submitted from Monday 30 November 2026 to Friday 15 January 2027. Interviews will be held afterwards to select 6 writers to work with over roughly a six-month period in 2027. A team of script editors and shadow script editors will also be part of the course.
There will be two compulsory in-person weekend events for the chosen writers and their script editors: the first an introduction to the course, in which the writers are introduced and paired with their editorial team, before going off to write the first draft of their scripts. The second weekend will be a follow up, during which the writers will get feedback on their work-in-progress scripts, along with live readings from said scripts by a cast of professional actors. Both weekends will also host a range of guest speakers from the industry.
The main part of the course will be between the two weekends when, with the support of their script editors, the 6 writers will write a one hour or 30-minute TV pilot episode script.
The course will conclude with a drinks evening in which industry figures – including commissioners, agents and producers, from Scotland and the rest of the UK – will be invited to meet and forge relationships with the six writers.
The course aims to identify emerging Scotland-based screenwriters from diverse backgrounds (including underrepresented regions and communities). It also, crucially, aims to demystify the workings of industry – and ultimately, by doing so, catapult the selected writers to the attention of the people in charge of which scripted TV shows get made in the UK, who are for the most part based in London.
Writers can submit their applications on Philip Shelley’s website where an entry link will go live on Monday 30 November 2026.
Pictured l-r: Mike Ellen, MD / Creative Director and Script Consultant Philip Shelley
Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland said: “There’s no shortage of talented writers in Scotland with brilliant original stories to tell, and we want to see more of their work making it onto our screens. Supporting initiatives like Scotland Scripted to widen the writing pool in Scotland will bring through more diverse voices, enabling more people to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the projects being made here.”
Philip Shelley said: “I am delighted to have been asked by Freedom Scripted to run this new initiative to help scout, work with and then introduce to the TV and film industry, the pick of new Scotland-based screenwriting talent. We hope this will identify and unleash a wave of Scottish creativity that will be of immense benefit to the industry in Scotland and further afield.”
Mike Ellen, Creative Director of Freedom Scriptedsaid:“We’re really excited at Freedom to launch this new scheme which will complement 4Screenwriting, and Greenlight Screenwriting Lab in Ireland. Our aim is to find the very best new Scottish-based talent and with the help of industry partners, provide mentoring and development for a career in television screenwriting.”
Hannah Green, Head of High-end TV Fund, ScreenSkillssaid: “Scotland has a thriving community of creative talent, and we’re delighted to work alongside Freedom Scripted, Philip Shelley and Screen Scotland to help nurture the next generation of screenwriters. Through the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund, we’re proud to support an initiative that will help emerging writers develop their skills, forge valuable industry connections and take the next steps in their careers in scripted television.”
