L-R Top Row: Bryn Weaver, Grace Kirkwood, John Scougall
L-R Middle Row: Josefin Bagge, Kat Tweedie, Lynne Cowie, Nathan McCuaig
L-R Bottom Row: Rachel Ellen MacKay, Rachel-Anne Clarke, Saffia Sage
In October 2023 we opened submissions to Scotland-based producers at the start of their careers who are looking to take that next step into the industry but may need support in furthering their knowledge of the industry or expanding their skillset.
This years programme will be delivered by Short Circuit with film producer Irune Gurtubai. Irune’s second feature film, Limbo (Ben Sharrock, 2020), produced through her company Caravan Cinema, was part of the Cannes 2020 Official Selection and had its world premiere at TIFF. She received the BIFA Breakthrough Producer award for her work on the film. Limbo was nominated for two BAFTA awards for Best British Film and Outstanding Debut and it won four BAFTA Scotland Awards including Best Film.
After an assessment and selection process – carried out by external assessors, and the Short Circuit team – ten participants were chosen to take part in Producer Accelerator.
The selected participants are:
Find out more about each of the participants and why they’re looking forward to starting the programme:
I am a South African creative based in Scotland, with a background in fiction writing and editing as well as photography and project management. I have a passion for storytelling from unexpected perspectives, which engage the audience’s empathy and change the way we see the world.
“I am so grateful to be taking part in this fantastic programme. I look forward to gaining industry-relevant skills and experience, as well as forming connections with other emerging filmmakers.” – Bryn Weaver
Grace is an award-winning documentary producer based in Glasgow. With a background in news journalism, she started her career 10 years ago at BBC Scotland on the journalism trainee scheme before moving into documentary and factual TV programming. Recent credits include BAFTA Scotland Award winning Three Mothers, Two Babies and a Scandal for Amazon Prime and RTS Scotland award winning online series The New Scots. Grace has filmed extensively across the UK and abroad including in China, the United States, Bali and Lebanon. She is passionate about telling good stories and keen to gain experience in scripted productions.
“I am very excited to be taking part in the Short Circuit Producer Accelerator Programme. I have always had a keen interest in drama and short film production and can’t wait to meet the rest of the cohort and the industry experts we will be learning from.” – Grace Kirkwood
John trained as an actor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He has worked on a number of high profile shows such as BAFTA nominated The Victim (BBC), Unforgotten (ITV) and Lovesick (Netflix), as well as with National Theatre of Scotland, The Tron, The Traverse and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
As a producer, he is currently part of the producing team making the recently announced Silibil N’ Brains feature film, directed by James McAvoy. He has various television and film productions in development with his company Mobly Jack Productions and is represented for producing and acting work by United Agents Ltd.
“Ever since I first heard about this Short Circuit programme, I have been hoping to be involved in Producer Accelerator. Having seen how incredible it has been for my colleagues in the industry, I cannot wait to start and learn as much as possible from some of the best in the business. I feel incredibly grateful to have been selected and I am really looking forward to working with the other producers on the course. I know that being part of this programme will significantly advance the producing side of my career further, and I cannot wait to put everything I learn into practice with my current film and television projects.” – John Scougall
Josefin is a Junior Producer & Production Coordinator based in Glasgow, born in Sweden. She has been working with award winning production company Forest of Black since 2020, supporting lead producers on a diverse range of creative, commercial and documentary projects as well as leading production on shorts and promotional content. Prior to her career in Production she gained a masters degree in Sound for the Moving Image (2019) and has a strong passion for audiovisual storytelling. She recently worked as on-set Producer with director Ciaran Lyons on his self-funded debut feature film ‘Tummy Monster’ premiering in 2024.
“I’m so delighted to have been selected for this year’s Producer Accelerator cohort, and am very much looking forward to working with the Short Circuit team and meeting my fellow participants. Taking part in the course will be invaluable to progressing my career in creative producing and giving me the required skill set, knowledge and confidence.” – Josefin Bagge
Katriona is a Scottish Producer with a passion for collaborative storytelling. Since studying at Screen Academy Scotland, she has been working predominantly within the production department of TV and commercials.
She was selected for GMAC’s Little Pictures scheme in 2022. This led her to set up ‘Kit ’n’ Kat Productions’ with her co-producer. She is committed to use this platform to tell bold, empowering stories with diverse representation on and off screen.
“I am delighted to have been been selected to take part in this years Producer Accelerator. It will allow me to gain essential production knowledge and confidence in my abilities. The training and support the scheme provides will be invaluable and a perfect stepping stone towards producing my own funded short.” – Kat Tweedie
Lynne is a Producer in Unscripted television, having worked across various genres including Documentary, Factual Entertainment, Quiz, Game and Entertainment programming. She has spent the last two years managing and curating a new Entertainment TV development training scheme with TRC, one of the UK’s leading providers in broadcast training.
Producing her first short in 2023 through GMAC’s Little Pictures, Lynne worked with writer/director Mar Felices on the archive based documentary Return to Arabia. Lynne aspires to bring her range of skills together with her passion for storytelling as she continues her journey into film producing.
“I am delighted to have been selected for Short Circuit’s Producer Accelerator initiative. Gaining a formal education in understanding the development process is something I’m really looking forward to, as well as meeting and forming a network with other emerging Producers. Following the birth of my second baby recently, I am grateful for the opportunity to further my career and learn from a host of experienced industry professionals.” – Lynne Cowie
Nathan is an emerging producer based in Paisley. After finishing his masters in Film Producing, he was selected by ScreenSkills on to their Trainee Finder programme. He spent the past year working on productions such as: Sebastian (Screen Scotland, BFI), Harvest (BBC Film, Sixteen Films) Kenmure Street (Barry Crear) Cold War Hockey (Purple TV) and Float (Black Camel Pictures). He is committed to bringing diverse voices to the screen, especially LGBTQIA+ and working class stories. Nathan is passionate about creating films with mental health and the environment at the core of his producing.
“Being recognised by Short Circuit as a promising producer in Scotland is very exciting. I am ready to build on my knowledge of filmmaking and collaborate with other producers. I hope to gain more insight into the business side of producing, I can’t wait to get started!” – Nathan McCuaig
Rachel Ellen MacKay is an independent TV producer and broadcaster based in the Isle of Lewis. She comes from a strong television production background working across Factual Entertainment, Live Music and Entertainment Programming and Drama. Recent credits include flagship international travel show Immigration Tracks le Anne NicAlpein on BBC Alba. Rachel also co-hosts BBC Radio nan Gaidheal’s popular podcast ‘Fad Botal Fion’. Rachel is passionate about bringing colourful, contemporary Gaelic stories to the screen.
“I am delighted to be a part of the Producer Accelerator Programme 2024! The programme is an exciting opportunity to collaborate and nurture the skills required in film making. I am really interested in learning more about high quality short form, and I can’t wait to get started!” – Rachel Ellen MacKay
Rachel-Anne is a TV producer who cut her teeth on factual programmes such as, Supershoppers, The One Show, Horizon and Morning Live before making the long awaited transition to the comedy department of BBC Studios to produce their first all female production ‘Who Runs The World?’. At BBC Studios she produced Short Stuff and worked as Assistant Producer on Two Doors Down and Mrs Brown’s Boys. In 2021 she was selected as one of Edinburgh TV Festival’s Ones To Watch, 2 years later she founded small indie Pure Leo, with a commitment to promoting and working with diverse, comedic voices.
“I’m delighted to be participating in this year’s Producer Accelerator scheme and I’m looking forward to expanding both my skill set and network as I learn more about producing film from the talented Irune Gurtubai.” – Rachel-Anne Clark
Saffia cut her teeth scouting, developing and making HETV Drama for the domestic and international markets at STV Studios.
Her body of work includes Script Editor and Assistant Producer credits across dramas like ELIZABETH IS MISSING (BBC One), SCREW Series 1 and 2 (Channel 4) and THE RIG Series 2 (Amazon). Collectively, these credits have gathered awards and nominations including RTS Scotland Best Writer, BAFTA Scotland Best Scripted Television Programme, RTS UK Best Single Drama, and an International Emmy.
As a producer, Saffia is particularly drawn to stories exploring power and relationship dynamics, queerness, and contemporary social and political issues through a character-led, entertainment-first lens.
“I’m completely over the moon to be part of Short Circuit’s 2024 Producer Accelerator cohort. The programme’s unique 360-degree approach is an empowering development opportunity for me as I continue to build my own slate of short-form and feature film projects as an emerging Creative Producer. I can’t wait to get started!” – Saffia Sage
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