Children’s Short Drama 2021

We have commissioned a script and are now looking for expressions of interest from companies with a track record in drama for BBC ALBA to produce the film.

The scheme’s main requirements are:

• 15-minute drama aimed at an audience 6-9 years with lead child actor/s at the heart of the story based on the theme of “Tell Me a Secret”.
• Style to be cinematic and to enable versioning into other languages.
• EBU requires world-wide rights and clearance for 10 years and other rights that make this a non-standard deal.
• EBU has its own Exec Producer who works alongside the production teams and broadcasters in each country. MG ALBA’s also has its own Exec Producer, Bill Macleod.
• Delivery to EBU/BBC ALBA by November 2021 for a screening version and December 2021 as final broadcast delivery aiming at a festive TX.

Further information on the scheme, examples of films from previous years and a treatment for this year’s film are available.

MG ALBA has specific talent development objectives and we would like to discuss with production companies the inclusion in the project of:

(a)    Gaelic-speaking Directors and

(b)    Composers with an understanding of Gaelic musical culture.

The project will have a funding contribution from MG ALBA of £40,000. We also expect that the successful company will make applications to the BFI’s Young Audience Content Fund and for UK tax credits.

Young Audiences Content Fund

https://www.bfi.org.uk/supporting-uk-film/production-development-funding/young-audiences-content-fund

Tax reliefs (via BFI tax credits certification)

https://www.bfi.org.uk/supporting-uk-film/british-certification-tax-relief

In the first instance we are looking for expressions of interest together with a summary of production experience, an indication of key talent, and a creative statement

Deadline for submission – Friday 26 February 2021 at 5pm.

Deadline for MG ALBA/BBC partnership decisions – Friday 5 March 2021 at 5pm.

Final submissions and any questions should be addressed to Bill Macleod, at bill.macleod@mgalba.com