FIRST DRAFT is a feature film script development programme created for emerging Scottish screenwriters, supporting them to progress their projects from early story development through to a completed first draft screenplay.
Delivered by The Portal Arts and Development Executive Lizzie Gray, the programme is part of Screen Scotland’s Talent Builder initiative and is designed to discover and elevate the next wave of Scottish screenwriting talent.
Programme overview
A bold initiative, designed to develop the next generation of Scottish filmmaking, FIRST DRAFT aims to identify and cultivate emerging voices in Scottish cinema, helping them to thrive in the industry.
In each iteration of the programme, selected screen writers receive close editorial support from industry experts as well as financial resource to transform an idea into a polished first draft script.
The programme welcomes screenplays in all genres – dramatic or thriller, romance, horror, comedy or an experimental tone. United by bold creativity, visual and emotional resonance, selected ideas will grow into engaging plots with a global reach.
Alongside one-to-one mentorship with Industry Executive Lizzie Gray and access to Screen Scotland, writers can apply for up to £15,000 (with an additional £5,000 available for access support) so that can dedicate time to focus on their script’s development. At the end of the programme, writers will have produced a polished first draft of a feature film screenplay.
For further information, read the guidelines for the FIRST DRAFT 2025–2026 application period here.
Eligibility
To apply to FIRST DRAFT, screenwriters must:
- Be aged 18 or over
- Living in Scotland
- Have experience writing in screenplay format
- Be developing your first feature film screenplay
- Have not previously had a feature film screenplay that has been theatrically distributed
- Committed to attending development and training workshops with the Development Executive, online and in-person, as well as being committed to writing during their own time.
Applications for FIRST DRAFT Year 2 will open in the summer. Follow us on Instagram @FirstDraftSSTB for updates, guidelines, and further announcements.
Contact us
If you’d like more information about the programme, wish to request a 1–2–1 with Programme Producer, Helen Sim-Robertson, or have a general enquiry, please use our FIRST DRAFT Contact Form to get in touch.