Bridging the Gap is one of the leading documentary new talent initiatives in the UK, offering intensive training and commission opportunities to emerging filmmakers. This programme helps filmmakers develop a 10-minute documentary and gives them the chance to work closely with industry professionals and SDI over a period of nine months.

Up to 12 ideas will be short-listed and taken through 3 intensive development workshops and up to five projects will be commissioned with an £8000 cash budget each (plus in-kind production and distribution support) and further hands-on support, right the way through the editing period. The films are then geared for distribution in  festivals and cinemas for 1 year.

The films produced to date have enabled filmmakers to take successful first steps in the industry, picking up awards, BAFTAs, special mentions and festival screenings in 60 countries world-wide.

This year, we invited Scotland and Northern Ireland based filmmakers to respond to the theme of TURBULENCE.

Commissioned Films

Giulia Candussi – Against the Tide
Jack Goessens – Venus & Mars
Austen McCowan / Will Hewitt – Harmonic Spectrum
Patrick Steel – Racing Stock

Bridging the Gap is supported by Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.

Contact us on bridgingthegap@scotdoc.com or 0131 651 5760

Scottish Documentary Institute is committed to offering clear and accessible application processes open to everyone. On request this information is available in alternative formats. We offer access support to disabled applicants, tailored to individual requests and our team can offer advice to new applicants and support them to make an application.

© photo: Inma de Reyes