Scotland Screenwriting Course
FREEDOM SCRIPTED and PHILIP SHELLEY are delighted to announce that in 2027 we will be running a new screenwriting initiative for Scotland-based screenwriters.
Following 4Screenwriting and Greenlight, Scotland Scripted is an initiative to work with, showcase and provide a pathway into the commercial world of scripted TV, for the best new screenwriting talent in Scotland.
Six selected writers will work alongside a team of script editors and shadow script editors over a six-month period to produce a television script and supporting materials. The course will also include a range of guest speakers and will conclude with a drinks evening for the writers to meet and forge relationships with industry figures.
The course aims to identify emerging Scotland-based screenwriters from diverse backgrounds (including underrepresented regions and communities). It also, crucially, aims to demystify the workings of the industry – and ultimately, by doing so, catapult the selected writers to the attention of industry decision-makers in the UK.
‘We’re really excited at Freedom to launch this new scheme which will complement 4Screenwriting, and the Greenlight Screenwriting Lab in Ireland. Our aim is to find the very best new Scottish-based talent and with the help of industry partners, provide mentoring and development for a career in television screenwriting.’ Mike Ellen, MD Freedom Scripted.
The course is majority funded by Screen Scotland with further support from the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund.
Scotland Scripted Screenwriting Lab will be open to any writers resident in Scotland new to network TV drama. Criteria around Diversity, Equality and Inclusion will also be taken into account when short-listing writers for interview.
For any other queries, please contact Philip Shelley (philip.shelley@script-consultant.co.uk).
NB: Please refer to the FAQ section below before applying.
the script submission window FOR THE 2027 Scotland scripted screenwriting course will open on 30th november 2026 and close on 15th january 2027
Course Content
General
The purpose of the course is to identify and then work with six new Scotland-based writers over a roughly six month period to each create, develop and write a TV drama or comedy pilot episode (for series or serial). The course will offer these writers new to scripted television an insight into how the industry works, and to provide a “dry-run” of what it can be like to write under a commission.
Writers will be expected to write an original one-hour or half-hour drama or comedy series or serial pilot episode, and 2-3 page outline / pitch for the series / serial as a whole. NB The script you write on the course will be a new project – ie different to the entry script that you submit (please bring ideas for this to discuss at interview if you are selected).
Each writer will be assigned a script editor and shadow script editor, who are currently working in the industry, to guide them through this process. Writers will meet at least twice with their script editors and should complete a second draft script before the second in person weekend of the course. Completed, second draft scripts will be shared with others participating in the course for workshop discussions at the second weekend.
Dates
13th & 14th March 2027 and 18th & 19th September 2027.
Writers must ensure before entering that they are available to attend both these weekends in person in Glasgow and are free to write at least two drafts of an original television pilot between the two.
First Weekend
This will provide an introduction to the course, in which the writers are introduced and paired with their editorial team to discuss their ideas, before going off to write the first draft of their scripts. Writers, directors, producers and script editors in the industry will speak to the participants on a variety of subjects relating to writing for television, especially writing for series and serial drama.
Second Weekend
This will be split between the reading of a section of each script by actors, and discussion and analysis of each of the six finished scripts in small groups, finishing with a workshop / conclusion to the course and discussion of next steps for the writers and shadow script editors.
It is essential to the success of the second weekend that writers submit their scripts on time.
Industry Drinks Evening
There will be a drinks evening in Glasgow in November 2027 for the course writers to meet industry producers, script editors, literary agents etc – from Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Eligibility
Only writers who do not have a broadcast network credit as a television writer, or theatrical release as a feature film writer may apply (although produced short films and episodes of regional soaps / continuing drama series are exempt).
Opening Date
Monday 30th November 2026 at 9.00 am.
Closing Date
Friday 15th January 2027 at 5.00 pm.
Fee
Writers will be paid a bursary for participating in the course and for completing two drafts of a script. All writers will be required to grant Freedom Scripted a first-look option to their script and will be told within six months of delivery whether Freedom Scripted wishes to exercise this option.
How to Apply
Please complete the form below.
The script submission window for applications is open from 9.00 am on Monday 30th November 2026 until 5.00 pm on Friday 15th January 2027.
Entry Form
Course FAQ's
- Entry is free of charge.
- Applicants must be 18 or over.
- Applicants must be resident in Scotland.
- Whilst the competition is open to all Scotland-based writers, we are committed to promoting equal opportunities and diversity in the media industry in Scotland. We encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
- Unfortunately we’re not currently able to accept writing partnerships.
- Only one script per applicant can be submitted. Anyone submitting more than one script will not be considered.
- No feedback can be given on the scripts.
- No correspondence (email or otherwise) can be entered into with applicants.
- We will be holding interviews for short-listed writers in Glasgow or on zoom in January 2027.
- We will inform the successful 6 writers in February 2027.
- We will email every writer by March 2027 to let you know whether your application has been successful.Scripts entered must be at least 25 pages in length. They can be screenplays, TV scripts, stage plays or audio plays. There is no upper limit on page count but scripts shorter than 25 pages will not be considered.
- Your submission must be your own original work, and may not be based wholly or in part, on the work of any other person, whether known, published, produced, or not (ie no adaptations except of your own original source material).
- You may submit a script based on your own work which has been published or written in another form.
- Your submission must be a completed script, not an extract.
- Script Logline: this should be a clear description of the narrative premise and dramatic proposition of the project you are submitting in one or two sentences (max 50 words).
- Your submission is final. Under no circumstances will rewrites, corrections, replacement pages, or additional drafts of a submission be accepted.
- Submitted scripts must be formatted clearly and legibly and emailed as PDF attachments.
- We only accept email entries. All entries must be submitted through the online submission process.
- Writers should include a CV – formatted as a PDF – with their scripts. (Writing work and other work / life experience can be included on the CV).
- It is essential that applicants have an interest in and enthusiasm for scripted television drama and / or comedy. Scripts will be assessed on the strength of the writing and the writer’s suitability to broadcast TV drama. Scripts entered can be either comedy or drama and we are open to all story genres.
- If a script has been created (even partially) with the use of AI, it will not be considered.
- You will be automatically notified by email immediately after submitting your script that your entry has been received.
The interviews for short-listed writers (January 2027), the weekends (March and September 2027) and the industry networking evening (November 2027) will be held in Glasgow. - If selected for interview, please bring and be prepared to discuss a few ideas for the script you will write during the course.
- If successful, the idea you work on during the course will be a new idea, i.e. different to the script that you submit with your entry.
the script submission window will open on 30th november 2026 and close on 15th january 2027