Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), the National Film and Television School (NFTS) Scotland and The Sean Connery Foundation have announced that, for the second consecutive year, six short films created as part of the second NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab will have their World Premieres in this year’s Film Festival.
The six short films are Bubbles (Writer/Director: Jagoda Tlok); Shutterbug (Writer/Director: Fin Bain); My Little Blue Heart (Writer/Director: Iqbal Mohammed); PANG (Writer/Director: Lara Delmage); St Anthony (Writer/Director: Declan Dineen); Angel in the House (Writer/Director: Missy McNaught).
Made with the financial support and creative guidance of BBC Film, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is a 12-month talent development programme that provides a unique opportunity for 22 aspiring filmmakers across five disciplines to create their own short films. Each of the 22 places have been substantially subsidised, with 70% of fees underwritten by the Sean Connery Foundation.
In Leith, close to the expanding creative quarter under development by FirstStage Studios in partnership with Forth Ports and others, the participating filmmakers from across Scotland have embarked on a collaborative filmmaking journey that began in April 2025. Six filmmaking teams were assembled, gaining access to a first-class training curriculum, made up of seminars, hands-on workshops and mentorship opportunities. Dedicated guidance from renowned NFTS Heads of Department and prominent industry executives, including BBC Film, augmented the development and post-production process.
Each filmmaking team received a £25,000 production budget, with free access to cutting-edge equipment and unrivalled training facilities provided by NFTS Scotland. The tailor-made programme has been designed to amplify the expertise of each participant in their respective specialism, allowing them to refine their skills and push the boundaries of creativity.
The programme was also designed to be part-time, enabling participants to strike a balance between other paid work and professional engagements. Aligned with the unwavering commitment of NFTS to promoting diversity within the industry, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive experience for disabled and neuro-divergent individuals, including those with conditions such as dyslexia. Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be awarded an NFTS Diploma in Filmmaking.
Head of the Sean Connery Talent Lab Chris Young commented “It’s incredibly exciting to see a second slate of films from the Sean Connery Talent Lab premiere once again at EIFF. The success of our debut films demonstrated not only the value of this programme but the strength and originality of emerging filmmaking talent in Scotland. These latest films continue that momentum, showcasing distinctive and ambitious storytelling.”
More information will be released on EIFF 2026 that runs from 13th – 19th August 2026 in the coming months.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 