BBC Comedy, BBC Scotland and Screen Scotland pilot opportunity
The deadline for submissions is midnight 31 July 2024.
We are partnering with BBC Scotland and Screen Scotland to fund an exciting new sitcom pilot opportunity for independent production companies to champion Scottish comedy talent on and off-screen. At least one idea will be co-commissioned as a filmed pilot which we will then consider for series.
Scottish portrayal should be a fundamental element of any idea pitched and we are keen to work with the most exciting Scottish writing and performing talent. Projects should also align with wider genre priorities: shows that lift moods, have a lightness of tone, and are built around story engines that can fuel multiple series. See our latest comedy commissioning brief for general editorial steers for comedy.
We’re mainly looking for out and out comedy ideas rather than comedy drama and other hybrids, but that doesn’t mean we are solely looking for classic sitcom formats. Studio shows are some of our most popular and enduring series, so we’ll always be developing ideas in that area - but we’re keen to find new perspectives and inventive approaches. A good current reference point is Here We Go’s non-linear storytelling and the disruptive energy and narrative playfulness of Things You Should Have Done.
Two Doors Down and The Scotts on BBC Scotland have successfully explored domestic life in Scotland, but that doesn’t mean we’re not open to shows about family/relationships/everyday life. Relevance to a contemporary audience, both in Scotland and beyond, is paramount, so settings and themes that have a direct and obvious resonance will always make sense. We want ideas that expand the portrayal of Scotland so authentic and diverse representation is key.
This opportunity is open to independent production companies who either have a substantive base in Scotland or can partner with a Scotland-based company, and the production must qualify as Scottish under Ofcom criteria.
Further details and apply here
