BBC Scotland and National Theatre of Scotland have commissioned Future Acts, a series of six original digital short films. The project follows the previous digital series Scenes for Survival. The films cover themes including artificial intelligence, climate change, cultural identity, queer relationships and cloning. National Theatre of Scotland produces the series in association with Shakehaus Productions.
The writing credits include Kieran Hurley, Lesley Hart, Natali McCleary, Uma Nada-Rajah, Hope Dickson Leach and James Ley. Direction is provided by Josefa Celestin, Sally Reid, Rianne White and Stewart Laing. The cast consists of Nadia Albina, Maureen Carr, James Dawoud, Keith Fleming, Martin Quinn, Ryan J Mackay, Ross Mann, Anna Russell Martin, Nicolette McCormack, Jay Newton, Carmen Pierracini and Shirley Manson.
Gavin Smith, commissioning editor at BBC Scotland, confirmed the films will be distributed across BBC platforms. Jackie Wyllie, chief executive and artistic director of National Theatre of Scotland, stated that ninety freelancers and artists contributed to the production of the digital works. This commission is part of a digital first short form output from BBC Scotland that previously included the dramas Float and Dog Days.
The project coincides with the 20th anniversary year of the National Theatre of Scotland.