A look ahead to Scotland & Wales in 2026

The first few months of a new year are a time of reflection, planning and creativity. So, following a stellar year for the Scottish and Welsh film, games and TV industries that saw them capture the imaginations of global audiences what better time than now to ask BAFTA Cymru and Scotland Directors Rebecca Hardy and Jude MacLaverty what’s next?

Both Scotland and Wales are known for their rich history and traditions of storytelling. And this is something that Hardy and MacLaverty point to as a huge strength and something that will as ever continue to play a vital role both socially and economically for both nations in 2026.

As MacLaverty explains: “Scotland prides itself in an “Open for Business” status and the sector is on course to contribute £1 billion to the Scottish economy by 2030/31. There is a palpable, collective desire to increase the scale and ambition of film and tv content from Scotland.

“Scottish talent and stories are gaining greater visibility internationally. For example at Sundance this year there were seven films produced or co-produced in Scotland. One of those films is Everybody to Kenmure Street which was also awarded the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Awards for Civil Resistance. It’s produced by Glasgow-based production company Barry Crerar, and tells the story of the standoff between police and protesters after a Home Office dawn raid in a neighbourhood of Glasgow – a local story which will resonate hugely with an international audience.

“And alongside Scotland’s homegrown talent and storytelling, our country has also become a strong international hub for the production of high-end television and film, hosting more new and returning productions. Series such as Dept Q and Outlander that have been created for global streamers and UK producers.”

Hardy echoes this saying: “The industry in Wales is committed to sharing its stories not only within the nation but far beyond it. There is a growing ambition to bring Welsh narratives to international audiences, ensuring our stories resonate globally and not just in our domestic market.

“We saw this coming to fore last year when Lost Boys and Fairies last year won not only five BAFTA Cymru awards but also an International Emmy award. It was great to see the Welsh language effortlessly weaved into something which had such global appeal and this is something we hope to see more of particularly with a new Welsh language detective game The Department coming out soon which will be the first of its kind in encapsulating classic storytelling but with Welsh language in it.”

Looking to the industry landscape and opportunities that are on the horizon for those based in Scotland and Wales both branch directors highlight that recent announcements about funding could have an impact.

Hardy says: “In December, the Welsh Government confirmed an additional £2.5 million in funding for the creative industries in Wales. This is welcome news for the film, television, and games sectors, providing a central and much needed boost to industry-wide support. As we move into what is likely to be an eventful year, with elections in May , we anticipate that the landscape may shift beyond the spring. We remain hopeful that any changes will bring positive developments for the sector.

“And TV network S4C recently announced its new digital first strategy which begins this year. The strategy is aimed at modernising its content, reaching younger audiences, and securing its future ahead of the 2027 license fee renewal. Key changes include a major partnership with BBC iPlayer for greater content discoverability, an increased focus on YouTube, and a revised sports broadcasting portfolio.”

Similarly, MacLaverty points to pledges for additional support for Scotland’s creative industries. She says: “Scotland is entering a period of significant strategic investment in its creative and screen sectors. Screen Scotland announced Talent Builder a bold new programme featuring six integrated initiatives designed to develop the next generation of Scottish filmmaking talent and increase creative origination from Scotland.

“And in terms of studio space and production infrastructure, Dundee has launched a major virtual production studio and R&D facility CoSTAR Realtime Lab adding to high end production facilities such as FirstStage Studios, Wardpark, Kelvin Hall and The Pyramids. Another big win for Scotland is that these productions are all plugging into Scotland’s green energy – over 90% of the electricity generated in Scotland is from low-carbon sources.”

When it comes to supporting the film, games and TV industries in Scotland and Wales both BAFTA Scotland and BAFTA Cymru play vital roles in helping nurture and grow the local talent ecosystems from the very earliest opportunity.

MacLaverty explains: ““There is a great drive to build a full ecosystem that encourages a year-round pipeline of productions, both locally generated and inbound which supports crew and talent to live in Scotland in the confidence that they can have a sustainable career here.

“BAFTA Scotland itself plays a key part in inspiring, upskilling and connecting emerging creatives to fuel the screen industries workforce. With our schools outreach, craft masterclasses, bursaries and networking events we sit at the very heart of the industry here. Whilst our Glasgow based team is also well placed to respond to local policy priorities, funding streams and skills gaps with nuance and agility.

Hardy shares Wales’ takes a similar parallel approach, saying: “Wales is making significant investments to strengthen education, skills and talent pipelines. Young people are being reached earlier through Discover! Creative Careers Cymru, which expands career awareness in schools and offers year-round industry engagement opportunities. Entry-level routes continue to grow through Sgil Cymru’s CRIW apprenticeships, NFTS Cymru’s world-class short courses, and trainee pathways from Screen Alliance Wales. In the Games sector, the Games & Animation Academy of Wales provides industry-aligned training with state-of-the-art facilities, supporting a rapidly expanding sector boosted by new companies and international successes.

“And at BAFTA Cymru we’re thrilled to welcome Guru back to Wales – an initiative aimed at shining a light on career pathways and opportunities here in Wales. This year, the festival will once again be held in both South and North Wales, bringing together an inspiring mix of partners, talent and organisations. Together, we’ll be delivering an energising line-up of film, TV and Games content to inspire and support aspiring talent across the nation.”

BAFTA Cymru and BAFTA Scotland are two of BAFTA’s branches based in the Nations . Supporting BAFTA members in their areas by bringing together the most creative people working in the film, games and TV industries inspiring and supporting the next generation of talent through a rich variety of events, online resources and year-round career development programmes.

• Find out more about BAFTA Scotland
• Find out more about BAFTA Cymru

If you are interested in becoming a member of BAFTA Scotland or member of BAFTA Cymru head on over to our membership pages for more information.

Also keep an eye out for applications for the BAFTA Scotland and BAFTA Cymru Awards opening next month.