BBC ALBA and MG ALBA have established a new development fund for Gaelic-language feature films in partnership with BBC Film and Screen Scotland. The initiative provides early-stage funding for up to two selected projects. This financial support covers the production of a first draft screenplay and subsequent revisions.
Applicants must be Gaelic storytellers with professional experience in screenwriting, theatre, or literature. The partners require submissions to be conceived as predominantly Gaelic-language productions. Successful candidates receive creative guidance from development executives at BBC Film, Screen Scotland, BBC ALBA, and MG ALBA. This support is intended to move projects from the development phase toward full production.
Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Gaelic Services at BBC Scotland, confirmed the partnership is evolving its audience offer. Margaret Cameron, Director of Content at MG ALBA, stated the objective is to create projects for cinematic and festival spaces in addition to television. Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland, noted the partnership follows previous collaborations between Screen Scotland and BBC ALBA on short films and the web series An t-Eilean. Kristin Irving, Senior Commissioning Executive at BBC Film, stated the initiative supports writers working in their native language.
The fund follows the international release of minority-language films such as Arracht, An Cailín Ciúin, and Kneecap, as well as Scottish productions including The Outrun and Aftersun. The partnership also references The Incomer, which opened this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival. The deadline for all project submissions is 19 October 2026.