Introducing the Inaugural Cohort of First Draft Screenwriters
In an exciting development for the Scottish film industry, The Portal Arts and Screen Scotland have unveiled the first group of participants for the First Draft program. This innovative year-long initiative is designed to support emerging screenwriters throughout Scotland, providing them with the resources they need to refine their craft and bring their stories to life. First Draft is an integral component of Screen Scotland’s Talent Builder program, which was introduced earlier this year.
The talented writers selected for this inaugural cohort include Alia Ghafar, Dawn Sievewright, Jason Bradbury, Lillian Salvatore, and the collaborative duo of Fin Cramb and Sean Watson. Kicking off this month and continuing until November 2026, these writers will receive expert guidance from Development Executive Lizzie Gray as they develop their feature film scripts, moving from initial outlines to polished first drafts.
Each selected writer brings a unique perspective that showcases the rich diversity of Scottish storytelling, spanning genres such as comedy-drama, horror, psychological mystery, and deeply personal character-driven narratives. The response to the First Draft program was overwhelmingly positive, with nearly 200 applications submitted from across the nation. The selection process proved to be highly competitive, highlighting the remarkable creativity and ambition present in contemporary Scottish writing.
First Draft represents a national initiative focused on nurturing feature film screenwriting talent, delivered by The Portal Arts in collaboration with Screen Scotland as part of the broader Talent Builder program. Over the course of the next twelve months, participating writers will benefit from paid script development opportunities, editorial support, masterclasses, and mentoring— all designed to enhance their skills and advance their feature screenplays effectively.
This initiative is backed by Screen Scotland and is being coordinated by Moya Crowley, Creative Director, alongside Helen Sim-Robertson, Programme Producer at The Portal Arts.
Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland, expressed his enthusiasm for the program, stating: "First Draft is a pivotal aspect of Screen Scotland’s Talent Builder initiative, and this first cohort features an incredibly exciting array of films from fresh voices throughout Scotland. The Portal Arts team has established a robust program that will support these projects and help the writers realize their potential, particularly through the invaluable mentorship of the talented script executive Lizzie Gray. I look forward to seeing how these scripts evolve in the coming weeks and months."
Meanwhile, Lizzie Gray, the Development Executive for First Draft, shared her excitement about the project: "I am absolutely thrilled to be part of the inaugural year of First Draft in collaboration with The Portal Arts and Screen Scotland. Reading the high standard and wide variety of applications was both an honor and a joy. It’s an exhilarating journey to embark on, and I can’t wait to start working with this year's talented cohort."
But here's where it gets controversial: What does it mean for new voices in the film industry to have such structured support? Could this lead to a homogenization of storytelling or foster true innovation? I'd love to hear your thoughts—do you think initiatives like First Draft are essential for nurturing diverse voices in film, or do they risk stifling originality? Share your opinions in the comments!
