The Portal Arts

23/02/2026

There's still time to apply! 🤩👇🎬

23/02/2026

SHINY is spotlighting new directors based in Scotland & The North, at an Edinburgh Showcase on 5th March and they'd love to see your videos!

This is a great opportunity for up-and-coming filmmakers and content creators in Scotland and the North of England to showcase work to leading producers, agencies and creatives in the commercial production industry.

Shiny connects filmmakers to world-class ad agencies, brands and production companies worldwide. Previous Shiny-featured directors are now making award-winning feature films, TV series and loads of lovely commercials. Is it your turn to shine?

Why enter?
• All selected directors are invited to the Edinburgh Showcase at LS Productions on 5th March

🏆 Prizes include industry meetings, free post-production services and a place on the Shiny List

🎬 Around 15 films will screen - at least 70% by directors from under-represented demographics

🎥 All screened films are also entered into the Spring Shiny Awards (London)

📋 All long-listed entries are added to the Shiny List, used by agencies and production companies worldwide

• All genres welcome (including spec work)
• Films must be under 5 minutes
• Directors must not have worked on commercials or music videos with budgets over £50k

ENTRY DEADLINE: Thursday 26th February (end of day)
ENTRY FEE: £15

Shiny Awards showcase videos & films to advertising commercial production people, at advertising agency and brand offices

15/12/2025

Today we announce the screenwriters selected for First Draft, part of Screen Scotland’s Talent Builder programme.

The selected writers are:
Alia Ghafar, Dawn Sievewright, Jason Bradbury, Lillian Salvatore, and co-writers Fin Cramb and Sean Watson.

Over the next year, the writers will take part in a feature film script development programme delivered by The Portal Arts in partnership with Screen Scotland.

Find out more about the writers and their projects here: https://www.theportalarts.com/first-draft-screenwriters/

14/08/2025

✍️ Scotland-based screenwriters - your next big opportunity is here!

FIRST DRAFT, part of Screen Scotland’s Talent Builder initiative, is a transformative new programme designed to discover and elevate the next wave of Scotland’s screenwriting talent, creating unique stories that represent Scottish society and creativity.

Applications open Monday 18 August.

📖 Find out more here: https://www.theportalarts.com/first-draft/

📢 Read the announcement: https://www.screen.scot/news/2025/july/screen-scotland-launches-talent-builder-scotlands-most-ambitious-film-talent-development-project-in-a-generation

Follow on X and Instagram for updates - and please help spread the word by liking and sharing our posts!

The initiative will focus on identifying and cultivating new and emerging voices in Scottish cinema, helping them develop the skills, connections and confidence needed to thrive in the industry

30/07/2025

Interested in applying for Little Pictures? 🎬 There's an online info session taking place on 6th August. Full details below 👇

Keen to learn more about applying Little Pictures? 💚

💡 We are hosting an online information session next Wednesday evening!

✨ During the session, you'll hear from the Little Pictures team, who will discuss the application process, and all about the scheme itself.

🧐 You'll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.

🗓 Wednesday 6th August
🕰 18:30 - 19:30

This session will be interpreted by a BSL-English Interpreter.

To reserve a space, head to our Eventbrite link in our bio.

See you there! 😀