25.09.2017
The Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee are conducting an inquiry into Scotland’s TV and film industry. The Committee wants to look at ways to strengthen and develop the sector using recommendations from the Screen Sector Leadership Group’s report.
The Screen Sector Leadership Group (SSLG) was established on the recommendation of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee in a report it published on the economic impact of the film, TV and video games industries in 2015. The Screen Sector Leadership Group brought together senior representatives of the Scottish Screen industry to recommend actions to strengthen and develop the sector.
The SSLG agreed a series of recommendations under the following priorities for the sector:
- Increased funding for film and television production
- Increased studio facilities and infrastructure for Scotland
- Increased investment in talent development, skills and training
- Increased and appropriate business development support for screen businesses
- Robust research and statistics on the value of the sector and the impact of funding and support mechanisms.
Joan McAlpine MSP, convener of the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee said:
“Scotland’s screen sector has enjoyed a number of notable successes in recent years and we want to ensure the industry reaches its full potential.
“The Screen Sector Leadership Group has made some really helpful recommendations in their report to the Committee that suggests ways to develop a successful and sustainable industry which nurtures domestic talent and has a wider benefit for the Scottish economy.
“The inquiry will focus on how these recommendations can be implemented and will feed into the wider work of the Scottish Government and supporting bodies like Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise”.
The Committee’s deputy convener, Lewis Macdonald MSP, said:
“Scotland has immense potential to have a world leading screen industry. My hope is that we can build on recent success like Outlander and Hollywood productions like the Avengers to create a more vibrant and sustainable industry which encourages local talent and expertise."
You can find out more about the call for views and submit written evidence by visiting the Committee's website.