Short films created by Sean Connery Talent Lab to premiere at EIFF
Original James Bond star Sir Sean Connery, originally from Edinburgh, died in October 2020 aged 90.
We can't wait to present the World Premiere 🍿 of 6 short films at #EIFF25 created as part of the inaugural@NFTSFilmTV x #SeanConnery Talent Lab!
NFTS develops some of the world's top talent, with graduates going on to win huge awards, including 15 #Oscars and 165+ #BAFTAs 🏆 pic.twitter.com/beklm59GiO
— Edinburgh International Film Festival (@edfilmfest) June 18, 2025
His sons, Jason and Stephane, launched the Sean Connery Foundation to 'expand opportunities for talented young people from Scotland to access rewarding careers in the film industry'.
They said their father 'made it a priority to attend the Edinburgh Film Festival' and knew 'first-hand what it meant to work hard and struggle for opportunity'.
The films will be premiered between August 14 and 20.
Chris Young, head of the Sean Connery Talent Lab, praised the initiative as having the potential for 'expanding the film-making community here in Scotland'.
The films to be premiered are Gowk, directed by Ryan Pollock, Nora Can't Score, directed by Josefa Celestin, Catriona Macleod's Lady Maclean, and Twenty Twenty, from director Alex Salam.
Also included are Static, directed by Miranda Stern, and Checkout, from director Mairead Hamilton.
Paul Ridd, chief executive and director of the EIFF, said: 'We are so impressed by the depth and range of films that have emerged from the exciting first year of this brilliant initiative, one which, like our own centrepiece Festival Prize, has been made possible by The Sean Connery Foundation and their generous support for meaningful film industry change.
'Under the expert tutelage of Chris Young and the many industry experts who have given up their time this past year to offer advice and mentorship, these filmmakers have emerged with bold, distinctive work that we are honoured to include in our programme and present to our audiences in August.
'The future of cinema is bright in the hands of this exciting new generation of Scottish and Scotland-based talent.'
Jon Wardle, NFTS director, said: 'The first cohort of the Sean Connery Talent Lab has exceeded all expectations, not only in the calibre of their work, but in the boldness and ambition of their film-making vision.
'What they've achieved in such a short space of time is genuinely remarkable. It proves what's possible when emerging talent is given the right support, mentorship and creative freedom.
'The selection of these six films for world premieres at EIFF is a powerful validation of the Talent Lab model.
'We are immensely grateful to the Sean Connery Foundation, BBC Film and all our Talent Lab partners.
'Their unwavering belief and commitment to nurturing the next generation of Scottish storytellers has been nothing short of transformative. This success simply wouldn't have been possible without them.'
Chris Young, head of the Sean Connery Talent Lab, said: 'I'm hugely proud of what our very first cohort of students have achieved this year.
'They've embraced every opportunity the programme has offered and their collaboration has been terrific.
'The high quality of these short films, reflected in their showcase selection for Edinburgh International Film Festival world premieres, demonstrates perfectly the profound importance of providing a platform for new voices in film, and the potential for expanding the filmmaking community here in Scotland.
'What an incredible beginning for the Talent Lab and for the future of Scottish storytelling on screen.'
Stephane and Jason Connery said: 'The premiere of these first short films from the Sean Connery Talent Lab marks a powerful continuation of our father's legacy—championing excellence, ambition, and opportunity in the arts.
'It's especially meaningful to see this work take shape in Edinburgh, the city of his birth and the place he loved most.
'We are deeply grateful to the Talent Lab's outstanding leadership and to our generous partners for supporting this new generation of cinematic talent.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
10 hours ago
- Metro
Daniel Craig's best James Bond movie is available to stream on ITV now
A James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig that has been described as the most 'visually stunning' in the franchise is now available to stream on a major UK platform. In what is a huge win for devoted 007 fans, Skyfall has arrived on ITVX more than a decade after its release in 2012. Starring Javier Barden, Judie Dench and Ralph Fiennes, the thriller was a smash hit amongst fans and critics. It was also the third of Craig's performances, directed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, who is known for 1917 and American Beauty, and shot by Roger Deakins. Taking to social media, @CinemaTweets1 said: 'Javier Bardem's performance as Raoul Silva is my favorite James Bond villain ever. Skyfall honestly feels like a stand-alone film or outlier from the rest of the Bond series given the creative decisions made by Sam Mendes. Bardem is also a big reason- he's a worthy adversary.' @BestMovieMom added: 'Skyfall will remain the most visually stunning James Bond film for a long time.' @Danimalish also said: 'Whenever I watch SKYFALL I'm convinced I'm watching the best James Bond film. 'From Daniel Craig's steely performance to the incredible supporting cast including Judi Dench, to of course Roger Deakins' immaculate cinematography. This was the peak of the Daniel Craig era.' Meanwhile, @TheCinesthetic wrote: 'As the third film in Craig's run, Skyfall isn't just a great Bond film…it's a visual triumph. Roger Deakins turned espionage into art.' The film follows Bond as he pursues an assassin in Istanbul to retrieve a stolen list containing the identities of undercover agents. However, the plan goes disastrously wrong, leaving Chief M (Dench) forced to take drastic action. The espionage thriller was nominated for five Oscars and went on to claim two of them for Best Sound Editing and Best Original Song, which was given to Adele. Its move on to ITVX comes as ITV dropped all episodes of a gripping crime thriller that fans hailed as 'phenomenal'. The tense eight-episode drama, Under the Bridge, has finally landed on ITV for viewers to watch for free in the UK, and you are in for an emotional rollercoaster. The 2024 series stars Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone opposite Daisy Jones and the Six actor Riley Keough. More Trending Elsewhere in the James Bond universe, Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight was named as the screenwriter for the latest Bond film. Amazon MGM onfirmed on social media on Thursday night that Knight will pen the script for the next instalment. The announcement follows an intensive search by Amazon MGM, which gained full creative control of the Bond series earlier this year from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Skyfall is available to watch on ITVX. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Steven Knight's 7 best TV shows after Peaky Blinders creator joins James Bond MORE: British James Bond contender rules himself out as 'too messy' for all-consuming role MORE: Trump attempts Sean Connery impersonation after opening new golf course
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Tom Holland mum on 'speculation' he is in mix to be the next James Bond
has acknowledged the 'speculation' swirling over him possibly starring as the new James Bond. But the British actor, 29, stayed mum when asked about the rumors in a video posted Thursday. The scuttlebutt that Holland could be in the running to take over from Daniel Craig as the superspy has ramped up in recent weeks. While joining celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay on his YouTube channel to make fried chicken sandwiches and promote his non-alcoholic beer brand, Holland said: 'Listen, there's speculation at the minute. We'll keep it to a minimum for now. 'We'll get there one day.' 'Every young British actor, it's the pinnacle of working in our industry. 'I already consider myself to be the luckiest kid alive. I could never have dreamed to have the career that I've had.' The next Bond film is coming into focus after the announcement on Friday that Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight would be joining Dune director Denis Villeneuve behind the camera to write the next James Bond film. While speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Knight said: 'It has always been on my bucket list and it's fantastic to be invited to do it — I can't wait to get started.' The movie will be overseen by Amazon MGM Studios, after producer Barbara Broccoli gave up creative control of the Bond franchise. Amy Pascal and David Heyman have also been announced as producers, via Pascal Pictures and Heyday Films, respectively, while Tanya Lapointe is an executive producer on the project. Even though the creative team is falling into place for the next Bond film, there has been no official word on who will replace Craig — or which actors are being considered. Craig's final Bond film was 2021's dark No Time To Die, which was directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. The producers are reportedly looking for a considerably younger actor to take over the role after Craig — who is 57 — presented a more weathered, mortality-focused version of the beloved character. Holland is filming his fourth solo Spider-Man film, subtitled Brand New Day, which will reunite him with his costar and girlfriend Zendaya. Production began on Friday in Glasgow, Scotland, with portions of the city dressed up as New York City. According to The Sun, Liverpool had originally been intended to stand in as the Big Apple, but the location had to be changed in the wake of a shocking parade crash, which left 109 people injured. Tom had been spotted in Scotland earlier in July when he filmed scenes for Christopher Nolan's upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey, and he and Zendaya are reportedly back in the country to begin shooting the Spider-Man sequel.
The Guardian
13 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘You killed her!': My 100% faithful attempt at Traitors Live Experience
Things are not going well. Halfway through my attempt to play the real-life version of the smash-hit reality BBC reality TV show The Traitors, I realise something: I may be less charming than I'd hoped. 'I don't trust him,' intones a player to my left, scowling at my face as though she has just found it on the bottom of her shoe. 'Yeah, he seems shifty!' exclaims her friend. I try to defuse the tension by smiling winningly. 'Look at that smirk. He's definitely a Traitor.' Oh dear. In retrospect, this should not have come as a surprise. Since The Traitors first burst on to our screens in November 2022, it's become obvious that it's not easy to convince people you're telling the truth while being subjected to death-ray stares. Watching contestants go head to head as either traitors (who lie, scheme and murder fellow contestants by night) or faithfuls (who try to banish traitors so they can share a cash prize with fellow honest players) has united the UK around its TV sets. The show has won Baftas and Emmys, and drawn up to 10 million viewers an episode, and it's largely down to the sheer unpredictability of what people will do when they're put in a pressure cooker environment and suspicion is allowed to fester. It's also what made Neil Connolly, the creative director behind The Traitors: Live Experience, decide to replicate the interior of a Scottish castle in Covent Garden in London and have players roleplay the TV show in groups of up to 12. 'I wanted to make people's hearts race,' he will tell me on the phone the following day. 'That moment when you feel your heart pounding in your chest, I know that I've done my job correctly.' Well, as I play the game, his wishes are coming true. Largely because I am a faithful, who is doing a terrible job of convincing anyone. Along with a group of other journalists, I'm sitting in a wood-panelled room containing an impressive replica of the round table around which all the TV show's fiercest debates take place. Occasionally, our host – a tartan-clad Claudia Winkleman-channelling actor – announces that it is now 'night' and instructs us to put on a 'blindfold' (more commonly known as 'blacked-out ski goggles'). We wait while the Traitors remove theirs and plot who to kill – or secretly recruit. And then, masks removed, fierce debate breaks out. 'The way you reacted there was a bit 'Hugh Grant in a romcom',' declares one player, casting suspicion towards a particularly emotive participant. 'Bit strange.' It's not long before all the tropes of the TV show pop up. People begin to form cliques. The phrase '100% faithful' is repeated time and again. Rather than evicting people based on any form of evidence, players are banished purely due to looking a bit odd. Hugh Grant ends up being evicted – and turns out to be a faithful. Randomness rules. 'We had one woman who voted for someone, then said: 'It's because you remind me of Miles Jupp from Balamory,'' laughs Connolly. 'One guy turned around his slate and said: 'I've voted for you, Tom, because I don't know how to spell the other person's name.'' I, however, am determined to learn from everything I've seen on the TV show. I refuse to go with the herd. I vote on the basis of evidence, rather than conjecture about facial tics. And I never throw around baseless accusations, lest I kill one of my own. In short: I repeatedly vote for the person next to me, as I'm convinced I heard him removing his goggles during the night-time. As the debates go on, I somehow attract more suspicion. The number of votes against me increases. Luckily, my methodology proves popular and we successfully evict two traitors who were overly noisy when removing their blindfold. Less luckily, a faithful player announces that she'd like to banish me and then is murdered by the traitors. 'You killed her!' declares her friend, to the gasps of the room. Sign up to What's On Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday after newsletter promotion These traitors know what they're doing. Fortunately, tension defuses as we break to play a game. We solve clues to find numbers hidden around the room, which we then put in the correct order by communicating with 'the dead' – the players who have either been banished or murdered, and are now watching us on TV from a nearby room. Unlike the TV show, in which these tasks earn contestants money for the prize pot, we get points for our total on the daily leaderboard. As we go back into another debate, it turns out that my dogged voting for the same player is paying off. Enough other people have become suspicious, and he is evicted. 'What a relief,' he announces before he leaves the room. 'I was a traitor.' Suddenly, people are looking at me differently. For the rest of the session, not a single player votes for me, until our host announces: 'It is now time for the end game!' Dramatic music swells and we're told to press a button. We can vote either to end the game if we believe everyone to be faithful or to continue banishing if we don't. Over three stressful rounds, we're whittled down from six players to three. The game ends, and we have to declare. Are we all faithful? In which case we all win. Or is there a traitor among us? In which case only they are victorious. I declare first. Then player number two proves to be on the side of good as well. And, finally, the last player announces: 'I'm a faithful.' We won – and I'm in shock. Surely it doesn't normally go this smoothly? 'Oh no,' laughs Connolly. 'At the end of one game, a player had to tell his fiancee he was a traitor. Before he even finished speaking, she had ripped off her engagement ring and thrown it on the floor.' Wow. Thank god I'm 100% faithful. The Traitors: Live Experience is in Covent Garden, London.
