Bridging the Gap is one of the leading documentary new talent initiatives in the UK, offering development training, a cash budget, and one year of international festival distribution to emerging filmmakers based in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Bridging the Gap was designed to offer emerging filmmakers a stimulating, supportive, and collaborative space to explore the medium of independent documentary and get the opportunity to have their idea commissioned for the big screen. Offering such a space felt much needed at the time. It feels urgent and indispensable today, in the challenging times we find ourselves in.

Up to 12 ideas will be shortlisted based on the proposal and supporting visual materials submitted. The projects will be developed and honed further through in-person workshops run by international filmmakers and leading industry professionals. The 12 filmmakers will then pitch to a panel of industry representatives, who will commission up to 6 films in January 2025.

As well as a cash budget of £8,500 (plus in-kind production and distribution support) the selected filmmakers will receive further mentoring over six months to create vibrant, intimate and thought-provoking contemporary stories. The films will be delivered by June 2025 and are intended for distribution in cinemas and at festivals.

INSPIRATION SESSIONS & SURGERIES

Discussing the practicalities of BTG, the application process, eligibility etc. 

• BTG Inspiration Session Glasgow: 4 September 2024
• BTG Inspiration Session Edinburgh: 5 September 2024

Book your slot for our 1:1 Surgeries below.

For Northern Ireland-based filmmakers only:
12th September 2024
11th September 2024
10th September 2024

For Scotland-based filmmakers only:
10th & 12th September 2024
10 & 11th September 2024

HOW TO APPLY 

Please scroll to the bottom of the page to fill out the application form.

When starting your application online, you will be able to view the whole application form and you will have the option to save it as a draft and complete it in stages.

Note that we are unable to accept incomplete applications or those received after the published deadline. 

We are a small team so please do not leave submitting your application, or contacting us with any questions related to your application, until the deadline day.

Read the Information & Guidelines about the Bridging the Gap initiative and for any further questions, you can email us at bridgingthegap@scotdoc.com.