The New Found Land short film scheme is to expand its remit and fund two features. The joint initiative between Scottish Screen, Scottish TV and Grampian TV is now in its third year and annually funds six half-hour dramas shot on digital and intended for television transmission and Festival exposure.

The scheme will now fund two feature-length scripts which will be completed in time for screening at the 2003 Edinburgh International Film Festival. Each of the 90 minute, digital productions will work within a $283,000 (£200,000) budget. March 22 is the deadline for script submissions and Scottish Screen claims to be seeking "powerful, contemporary and inspirational proposals with a storyline relevant to a Scottish audience but with a wider international appeal."

In a separate announcement, Scottish Screen has also announced that Ewan McGregor will star in a 2002 New Found Land short entitled Solid Geometry. Based on a short story by Ian McEwan, the film will be adapted and directed by actor Denis (Local Hero) Lawson, McGregor's uncle. The duo previously worked together on the West End production of Little Malcolm And His Struggle Against The Eunuchs in which McGregor starred. Lawson starred in a previous New Found Land short Leonard.