Tonight, Friday 19 October, Scotland’s biggest budget feature film ever to be produced in Scotland by home-grown talent, will receive its Scottish premiere in Edinburgh.

Outlaw King is directed by one of Scotland’s foremost filmmakers, David Mackenzie and is developed and produced by Gillian Berrie of Sigma Films, with a screenplay by Bash Doran, David Mackenzie and emerging Scottish writer, James MacInnes.

Featuring a cast principally of Scottish and UK leading actors alongside leading actor Chris Pine, the production which is set and shot entirely in Scotland, has also employed a large number of Scottish based craft and technical talent and utilised over 45 different locations including Craigmillar Castle (Edinburgh), Linlithgow Palace, Berwick Bridge, Talisker (Skye), Glencoe, Doune Castle, Mugdock Country Park (Milngavie), Coral Beach (Skye) and the Quiraing (Skye).

Outlaw King has also hosted Scotland’s biggest ever single film trainee initiative. 35 trainees have experienced working across the creative, technical and business areas of the production. Dedicated to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers, the programme reflects the aims of valuable similar initiatives taking place across Scotland working to develop a continuous flow of skilled and creatively ambitious craft and technical crew.

Outlaw King has received National Lottery and Scottish Government support of £1million through Screen Scotland’s Development and Production Fund and Production Growth Fund.

Isabel Davis, Executive Director of Screen Scotland said: “We are enormously excited to see David Mackenzie’s magnificent Outlaw King receive its Scottish premiere, before its Netflix release in 193 countries around the world. It's an epic achievement for David, producer Gillian Berrie and all involved, attesting to the ambition and talent of our filmmakers.

“Outlaw King’s exploration of the life of Robert the Bruce will provide audiences around the world with a chance to engage with Scotland’s rich history, and to fall in love with her breathtaking landscape.

“We’re proud to have supported Outlaw King, a film that was born and raised in Scotland, from its early development through to production with funding from the National Lottery and Scottish Government through Creative Scotland.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Outlaw King brings the story of one of Scotland’s most well-known figures to life and it is fantastic to see this film developed and produced with top Scottish creative talent.

“Thanks to Creative Scotland funding we were able to encourage Outlaw King to film and base its production here, which has helped one of Scotland’s most prolific production companies build an important relationship with Netflix and given trainees an incredible start in the industry.

“As the largest feature film to be made here to date, Outlaw King shows we have the stories, locations, skills and support to make world-class productions in Scotland.”

Gillian Berrie, Producer of Outlaw King, said: "David Mackenzie and I are delighted to be having our Scottish premiere here in Edinburgh. It’s a fantastic homecoming for the film. We’re hugely appreciative of Creative Scotland and Scottish Government’s Herculean support over the years and are excited about the future of Scotland’s burgeoning screen sector."

The Outlaw King premiere comes at a time of growing confidence for the Screen industry in Scotland after a strong year for the sector. It was announced in August that spend on film and TV in Scotland reached £95million - the highest level since records began - and a £26million increase on the previous year. Over the past decade, spend has increased more than 300%.

This news coincided with a doubling in funding of £10million to £20million from the Scottish Government, the launch of the new Screen Scotland partnership charged with leading sector growth and new and increased funds including £2million enhanced incentive funding to attract productions to film in Scotland; a brand new £3million Broadcast Content Fund and a £600K Film Festivals Fund. New skills development and funds to boost film and tv education will be announced soon. All details can be accessed at www.screen.scot.

Notes to Editors

1. Outlaw King will launch globally on Netflix on Friday 9 Nov 2018. The film tells story of Robert the Bruce, who transforms from defeated nobleman to outlaw hero during the oppressive occupation of medieval Scotland by Edward I of England. Despite grave consequences, Robert seizes the Scottish crown and rallies an impassioned group of men to fight back against the mighty army of the tyrannical King and his volatile son, the Prince of Wales.

2. The Production Growth Fund (PGF) is funded by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery and administered by Screen Scotland. It has an enhanced allocation of £2m for the period 2018-19. The PGF provides a financial incentive to major international productions basing themselves in Scotland, as well as increasing funding available for Scottish-based producers to anchor more of their production work here. The PGF is helping to create significant employment opportunities for Scottish-based crew, encourages the use of Scottish-based production facilities and delivers a direct and significant economic benefit to Scotland. It has so far generated £60 million for Scotland’s wider economy. More info: https://www.screen.scot/news/2018/05/investing-in-screen-success-production-growth-fund-unlocks-60m-in-wider-economic-benefits

3. Film and TV productions to have filmed in Scotland in the last year include Avengers: Infinity War, Outlaw King*, Outlander, Patrick Melrose, Mary Queen of Scots, The Cry*, The Victim*, Tell it to the Bees*, Freedom Fields*, Keepers*, Aquarela*, Wild Rose*, Ordeal by Innocence*, We Don’t Talk About Love*, Anna and the Apocalypse*, Beats*, Only You*, The Party’s Just Beginning.

   *denotes film and TV productions in receipt of Creative Scotland funding.

4. Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland.  With £20 million from Scottish Government and the National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support. Screen Scotland sits within Creative Scotland and is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success.

www.screen.scot @screenscots

Media Contact

Eilidh Walker, Media Relations and PR Officer- Screen
Tel: 0131 523 0019 / Mobile: 07545 402 064
Email: EilidhWalker@creativescotland.com