Calling Scotland's Young Filmmakers!
Aged 26 and under? We want to see your films about today’s Scotland.
The culture, the landscape, the people, the food... whatever inspires you.
If you create a film for the competiion, you'll get to take advantage of the unique opportunity to utilise and re-purpose content from the National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive.
We invite you to get creative and tell a new story about Scotland today!
The best films will be shortlisted and shown at a special event in 2027 at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, where prizes will be awarded.
Winning films will be placed in the National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive, as part of Scotland’s story for future generations.
Our competition is inspired by the original Films of Scotland, which ran from 1938 until 1982.
GENRE
About any subject you like and can be in any form - documentary, animation, drama, experimental, etc.
LENGTH
5 minutes or under
DEADLINE
31st January 2027
Language
We encourage entries in Scots, Gaelic, BSL or any other language you use.
If your film is shortlisted, we will ask for it to be captioned in English before the screening.
BSL-ENG Interpretation will be available during the awards presentations.
The Original Films of Scotland
Back in 1938, the Empire Exhibition was held in Glasgow and to promote Scotland, a committee was formed and 7 films were commissioned to showcase Scotland.
These initial Films of Scotland were seen by vast audiences both nationally and internationally.
Films of Scotland re-formed after the war and ran until 1982. Well known Scottish filmmakers like Bill Forsyth, Charlie Gormley, Murray Grigor and Iain Smith worked on them, and they form an incredible archive of Scotland's moving image culture
Resources
The films below have been specially produced to give young people, teachers, tutors, youth group leaders the opportunity to explore the background to the original Films of Scotland, hear from some of the people involved and see how these films shaped the modern Scottish film industry.
You'll also find archive footage, which can be downloaded and used in your films!
Info Videos
Films of Scotland - Past & Future
What are Films of Scotland?
Making New Films of Scotland
Archive Videos
You can download and use these videos from the National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive & Visit Scotland in your own films! Just click the Vimeo link.
*Please note that the archive content is only for free use in the Films of Scotland competition, and you must include any clips you use in your film credits.
Info Video
Using Archive Footage
An info video on how to use archive footage in your film
.
Archive Video
"The Smiths in Scotland" (1966)
Film made to encourage English families to move to Scotland, with rural and city views, shots of workplaces and school life.
Archive Video
"Sisyphus" (1971)
A version in Scots of the Greek legend of Sisyphus.
Archive Video
"Sewards The Great Ships" (1960)
Scotland’s shipbuilding industry is shown using creative angles in this Oscar-winning documentary.
Archive Video
"Enchanted Isles" (1957)
The route to the Hebrides taken by Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Archive Video
"The Children's Story" (1938)
This film celebrates Scotland’s universal education system. Scenes from 1930s classrooms and neighbourhoods.
Archive Video
"Wealth of a Nation" (1938)
A spotlight on heavy industries. This documentary was made just before the outbreak of war to encourage investment in Scotland’s more modern businesses.
Archive Video
"New Towns" (1969)
A study of the new towns of East Kilbride, Glenrothes, Cumbernauld and Livingston.
Archive Video
"The Big Mill" (1963)
Dramatic footage of the steel works at Ravenscraig as well as some key pieces of modern infrastructure made from steel.
Archive Video
"Living in Scotland" (1966)
Film made to encourage English families to move to Scotland, with rural and city views, shots of workplaces and school life.
Archive Video
"Busman's Holiday" (1959)
A colourful 1950s coach tour takes its passengers to Finnart where they see an oil terminal. Shots of oil refinery at Grangemouth.
Visit Scotland
"Coasts & Waters"
Visit Scotland archive footage of Scotland's coasts and waters.
Visit Scotland
"History & Heritage"
Visit Scotland archive footage of Scotland's history and heritage.
Visit Scotland
"Active"
Visit Scotland archive footage of Scotland in action.
Visit Scotland
"Landscapes"
Visit Scotland archive footage of Scotland's landscapes.
Archive Audio Files
You can download and use these audio files from the National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive in your films!
*Please note that the archive content is only for free use in the Films of Scotland competition, and you must include any audio clips you use in your film credits.
A field recording of a folk band playing dance music
A recording made by Christopher Mylne in February 1978 of an unidentified band playing to a group of dancers in Shetland
Blackbird and Cuckoo, Scotland, 1978
A recording made by Christopher Mylne in 1978 of blackbirds and cuckoos on Fair Isle.
Blackcocks, Peesweeps, Grouse, Carrion Crow, etc. Scotland, 1964
A recording made by William Brotherson of birds at Garvald Farm, Haugh Field, Scottish Borders in 1964.
Footsteps, knock at the door, door opening and closing
A recording made by Christopher Mylne in 1978 of an unidentified person walking and opening a door on Fair Isle.
Sheep Farm Soundscape
A recording made by Christopher Mylne in 1978 of people herding sheep on a Fair Isle farm.
Shetland Pier Noise
A soundscape recording made by Christopher Mylne in February at a Shetland pier
George D. Campbell - “The Queer Folk O’ The Shaws”
Traditional song arranged by accordionist Jack Kynoch and performed by Comedian George D. Campbell. Released on Beltona Records in 1934..
William Brotherston driving away from Fala Flow
A field recording of William Brotherston starting his car and leaving Fala Flow loch. Recording in March 1964.