Deadline: 30th April at 11:59pm. Apply Now.

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Terms and Conditions

The Big Real Virtual Production Film Academy (Shaping Scotland's Cinematic Future) is a film production project, produced by selected talent who go through a competition to enter. It is open to current Master students, recent graduates (no more than two years) and film makers with no more than two years of working experience in the film industry. It takes place over the summer at Abertay University's Water's Edge studio in Dundee and offers industry mentoring, support and advice to teams to help them create an industry-standard short film. 20 participants will be selected each year.

Applicants need to agree with the following Terms and Conditions before applying.

TermsDefinition
The AcademyThe Big Real Virtual Production Film Academy
OrganiserAbertay University
Production Period1 June to 15 September 2025 including a showcase event
Flim(s)Film or films produced collaboratively during the Production Period by Participants
TeamA group of Participants allocated by The Academy Organiser to create the Film(s) during the Production Period.
Applicant (You)Those who apply to be part of The Academy
Participant(s)Those who are successfully chosen to enter The Academy

  1. The closing date for applications set out on this website is final, 30th April 23:59pm. Entries are made via this website's online application. Entries received after this date and time will not be considered.
  2. The Academy is open to the following. All Applicants must be residing in Scotland at the time of applying.
    • Current film-production related Master degree students.
    • Recent graduates from film-production related undergraduate or postgraduate courses (graduate no more than two years)
    • Film-makers with no more than two years of working experience in the film industry.
  3. There is no entrance fee to apply to be part of The Academy.
  4. Applicants are applying as individuals, who will be assigned into different Teams by The Academy Organiser and will work on a designated theme provided by The Academy Organiser. Participants are not allowed to choose their Team.
  5. A judging panel involving industry and funding representatives will select 20 individuals to take part in The Academy. The judges' decision is final and not open to negotiation. Feedback will only be provided to unsuccessful individuals who have been invited to the interview.
  6. All works and ideas submitted as part of your entry must be original and not infringing the copyright or other intellectual property rights of any third party. By submitting the application form you confirm that the work that you are providing as your showreel or portfolio is your own and you own the rights to submit it to The Academy.
  7. All Participants agree to be photographed and filmed to support the publicity of The Academy throughout the Production Period. These can be distributed, where appropriate, on the website of the Organiser and their social media channels.
  8. The Participant agrees to grant The Academy Organiser licence-free and on-going right to use their name, images and video files taken during The Production Period for promotional purposes for The Academy and for the Organiser.
  9. By submitting the application form, you grant the Academy Organiser a non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable licence, for the full period of any intellectual property rights for the Film(s), to use, display, publish, transmit, copy, edit, alter, store, and re-format for the purpose of promoting The Academy or the Organiser. Your name will be credited on any such images and video with your contribution.
  10. By submitting this application, you acknowledge and consent that the Organiser can collect and process your personal information solely for the purpose of administering the Academy. The data may be shared with the judges mentioned on this website for the purpose of administering the application process for the Academy. Your personal data will not be sold or shared with any other third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law. You will find more about how your personal data will be processed for the Academy at the Privacy notice.
  11. All Participants must attend all events organsied by The Academy Organiser during the Production Period, such as workshops hosted by industry partners and the showcase unless in exceptional circumstances.
  12. Each Participant who takes part in The Academy will be provided with £500 (per person) as a stipend, plus up to £100 (per person) on transportation. Accommodation for a week in Dundee will also be provided during the Production Period. It is a requirement that receipts are kept for the transportation. A full reconciliation must be made to the Organiser by 15 September 2025.
  13. The intellectual property rights (IPR) of the Film(s) produced during the Production Period will be shared equally by each Team member allocated by The Academy Organiser. No individual can claim the full IPR to the Film(s). Any activities to exploit and publish the Films must be in agreement by all the Team members. In return for the support from The Academy, the Team will credit The Academy with the following wording or logo (to be provided by The Academy Organiser). 'Powered by Abertay University, Supported by Screen Scotland.'.
  14. Each selected participant to take part in The Academy will need to bring in their own laptop with the following software already installed:
  15. The Organiser reserves the right to exclude any person or person(s), who brings The Academy into disrepute through their misconduct. The Organiser's student code of discipline is a reference for the definition of misconduct.
  16. Insofar as is permitted by law, The Academy Organiser, its agents or distributors will not in any circumstances be responsible or liable to compensate the Applicants or Participants any liability for any loss, damage, personal injury or death occurring as a result of joining The Academy except where it is caused by the negligence of the Organiser, its agents or distributors or that of their employees. Your statutory rights are not affected.
  17. These terms and conditions are governed by Scots law and the Scottish courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any disputes.