Sean Connery Talent Lab

12 months Part-time

Scotland In person

Application deadline 13 Jan 2025

Apply now for Edinburgh

Sean Connery Talent Lab

OVERVIEW

This new and transformative 12-month talent development programme is set to become a cornerstone of the Scottish film industry.

If you are a Scottish or UK National* and an emerging writer, director, producer, cinematographer, editor or production designer, apply now to join our year-long training programme, where you'll further your craft at a prime studio location in Edinburgh and increase the scale and ambition of your work.

The Sean Connery Talent Lab is generously supported by a wide range of industry partners, trusts and foundations.

Stephane Connery, pictured far right, with family at NFTS
Sean Connery Foundation with Jon Wardle and Alison Goring

"Our vision has been to expand access to the film and TV industry for talented Scots who may never have dreamt they could access the film industry.”

Stephane Connery
Chair of The Sean Connery Foundation (pictured far right)

"Dad always believed that education was a vital investment for anyone to achieve their full potential".

Jason Connery
Speaking on behalf of the Sean Connery Foundation (pictured 3rd from right)

The Sean Connery Talent Lab is generously supported by a wide range of industry partners, trusts and foundations.  BBC Film and the Dana and Albert Broccoli Foundation are anchor partners in the Talent Lab, pledging significant support to underpin the programme. Other supporters include The Rank Foundation and Prime Video. In addition to the global industry partners listed above, the Talent Lab enjoys support from DNA Films and Hartswood Films alongside deep regional support from FirstStage Studios, Blazing Griffin, Juniper Trust, LS Productions, MG Alba and Synchronicity Films. These partners have pledged their valuable support to provide ongoing Scholarships and Bursaries to ensure the lab is open to all.

With a focus on attracting and nurturing outstanding talent, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) and the Sean Connery Foundation are looking for a maximum of thirty filmmakers (Writer/Directors, Producers, Cinematographers and Editors) to participate in an intensive talent development programme.

The Sean Connery Talent Lab, delivered by the NFTS, aims to support filmmakers with diverse and varied perspectives to take their work to the next level. On successful completion of the year-long programme, participants will graduate with a short film that will be showcased to the industry, and will be awarded an NFTS Diploma in Filmmaking.
The participants will form six filmmaking teams who will benefit from a first class NFTS training programme comprising seminars, workshops and individual tutoring aimed to elevate the participants’ craft specialism.  Each team will receive a £25,000 production budget, with access to equipment and facilities provided by the NFTS. 
This is not a short film fund; it is an opportunity for emerging, distinctive and original filmmakers to build on their strengths and increase the scale and ambition of their work through a structured programme.

* This course is open to UK applicants and EU/EEA Nationals with UK pre-settled/settled status (subject to meeting residency requirements) and applicants who are currently in the UK on a valid visa for the full duration of the course.

Content Tabs

The Sean Connery Talent Lab is a 12-month programme. Key dates are below, and more detailed information about the programme content is under What You’ll Study.

  • 13th January 2025 – Close for applications
  • February – March 2025 – In-person interviews and participants selected
  • May 2025 – Programme begins 
  • May/June/July 2025 – Professional Development seminars and workshops, and craft tuition
  • August / September 2025 – Pre-production 
  • October / November 2025 - Principal Photography 
  • December/January/February/March 2024/2025 – Post-production
  • April 2025 – Professional Preparation and Meet the Industry

The films made as part of the Lab will be the culmination of all the participants have learnt during the Lab and provide the participants with a ‘calling card’ to industry. By April 2026, we expect to have created six distinct narrative shorts of no more than 15 minutes in length, that will be submitted to festivals internationally. There will be an industry showcase for the films and we will also arrange for the work to be sent to major talent agents and production companies in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the closing date for applications?

Monday 13th January 2025

The website says you welcome applications from under-represented groups. What does that mean?

The under-represented groups we look at primarily relate to the protected characteristics as defined in the UK Equality Act 2010.

You should use the following list as a guide for what areas of under-representation we are seeking to address:

  • Age
  • Disability 
  • Neuro Diversity (including Dyslexia)
  • Gender reassignment
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation
  • Care-Experienced

In addition to the protected characteristics recognised by the Act, the NFTS also seeks to address under-representation in the following areas:

  • Regional participation
  • Socio-economic inclusion
  • Caring responsibilities
If applying as a writer and director team, do we need to have worked with each other before?

No, but your partnership needs to be convincing. We have to believe you will be able to work together successfully and collaborate for the length of the Talent Lab and hopefully beyond.

What happens if I apply after the deadline has closed?

Your application will not be considered.

Can I continue with my existing employment and participate in the Talent Lab?

Yes, however, this is a rigorous programme and you must participate in ALL of the required activities – no exceptions. You must be available to commit full-time to the programme during the final stages of pre-production and the period of principal photography, some of which will take place Monday through Friday.

Can I apply if I am outside the UK?

No, you must be physically present in the United Kingdom to apply.

Will the NFTS pay my travel, housing and transportation costs during the programme?

No, the NFTS will not provide travel, housing and transportation arrangements during the programme. It is possible to participate in the programme from anywhere in Scotland. For those not based in the central belt, travel grants will be available. We are particularly keen to receive applications from filmmakers from the Highland and Islands and will provide support with out-of-pocket expenses to make it possible to participate in the programme.

Who owns the film once produced?

The NFTS and BBC Film will own the finished film and manage the film’s distribution. You will be asked to sign an IP agreement on being awarded a place on the Lab.