ABOUT
BBC ALBA and MG ALBA in partnership with Screen Scotland and BBC Film announce a call-out for Gaelic-language feature film ideas.
The global success of award-winning Irish-language features such as Arracht, An Cailín Ciúin and Kneecap has been an inspiration for filmmakers working in minority languages. At the same time internationally garlanded films like The Outrun, Aftersun and this year’s EIFF opening film The Incomer have demonstrated the imaginative power of cinema in, and from, Scotland. We want to emulate that success and begin the process of developing Gaelic projects for the big screen.
Ambition
We are inviting Gaelic story-tellers with unique perspectives to connect with cinema audiences at home and abroad, to make a lasting popular and critical impact, and to showcase the dramatic power of Gaelic culture at screen festivals around the globe.
Talent
We’re eager to work with the very best creative talent working in the Gaelic language. This call-out is open to writers with experience writing for the screen, stage or other narrative forms. We also welcome applications from producer/writer partnerships.
Language
We are not looking for translated work, or work that has been originated in English and repurposed for this call-out. Cultural and linguistic authenticity are crucial for us. Dialogue should be predominantly in Gaelic. However, we will consider a proportion of other languages (including English) up to around 20%.
Adaptation
We welcome literary adaptations if the rights to the original work are available. If adapting non‑Gaelic material, applicants will be asked to show how a Gaelic voice and imagination will radically suffuse and transform the original.
Genre
We’re particularly excited to platform Gaelic voices and stories in contemporary settings. This is an opportunity for writers to explore themes in a more personal and unconventional way than might be possible in more traditional genres. Period stories are eligible if they have a sense of resonance and urgency, and are conceived on a practical scale for an independent feature film.
Budget
This is a call-out for feature ideas potentially achievable on a budget of between £1.5m and £2m.
Although this call-out is for early-stage development we would like to see ideas or projects which have credible co-finance potential with other funding partners such as other broadcasters, screen agencies and distributors.
The offer
SUBMISSIONS
Who can submit
We will accept applications from Gaelic writers or writing partnerships. We are also open to submissions from writer/producer teams.
What to submit
Where to submit
bbcalbacommissioning@bbc.co.uk by 5pm on 19th October 2026
The selection panel will be made up of representatives from MG ALBA, BBC ALBA, Screen Scotland and BBC Film. They may follow up with a meeting to discuss projects.
The panel will make a decision by 16th November 2026 on which successful projects will progress to paid development.
Feedback to all applicants will be provided after that date.
If writers are successful in applying for feature-film development (i.e. not in partnership with a producer) we will seek to foster a relationship with experienced production talent.
For more information on this development call-out, please get in touch with Bill Macleod bill.macleod@mgalba.com
