A new Production Growth Fund has been established to lure filmmakers and TV producers in to basing their major projects in Scotland, it was announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.  

The £1.75m pot will incentivise more inward investment from international productions as well as increasing funding for domestic titles – thus stimulating the local economy and raising Scotland’s profile on the world stage as a heavyweight production hub.

The funding, which will comprise £0.75m from the Scottish Government and £1m from Creative Scotland – through the National Lottery from existing budgets – will be allocated based on the amount spent in Scotland, use of Scottish crew and facilities and co-production opportunities for Scottish-based production companies.

The Production Growth Fund is the latest iteration in a series of steps taken to boost the screen sector in Scotland, including a £1m Screen Skills Fund to provide training.

Hyslop said of the announcement: “The Scottish government and its agencies are firmly committed to supporting screen sector growth and promoting Scotland as a premier and competitive location to produce great films and TV shows.

“We are genuinely working very hard to make this happen – as underlined by the increase in public funding allocated to support screen since 2007, during a period of tough budgets.

“Scotland’s screen sector has the talent and skills to deliver world-class films and attract major productions, as we have seen with World War Z, Skyfall, Under the Skin, Outlander and the much anticipated Macbeth.”

Natalie Usher, director of screen at Creative Scotland, added: “We want to ensure that Scotland is recognised as a key destination for UK and international productions because of its world-class talent, crews, facilities and locations.”

The fund is expected to be open for applications by the end of October, with criteria currently being finalised by Creative Scotland.