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Filmmakers seek young people for new project
A youth-led group of filmmakers in North Ayrshire are getting ready to direct their next short film. It follows the success of their recent production Piece of Mind filmed in locations across Scotland, including at the walled garden of Eglinton Country Park.
Piece of Mind was designed and delivered by young filmmakers of Next Take, these included Max McGregor, Archie Nelson, and BAFTA award-winner Daniel Kerr, supported by Screen Scotland’s Screen Education Fund, North Ayrshire Council, the May Lockhart Trust, and Vertex Visions.
Director Max explains, “Our recent production, Piece of Mind was a story about the impact of historical traditions and the turmoil that can come from conflict in family relationships. We were delighted to showcase the film at a number of prominent venues including the Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine, Largs Academy, The Glasgow Film Theatre, Raenbow Productions Theatre School in Bearsden and Wigtown Library in Dumfries and Galloway.
“When we created Piece of Mind, we had twenty young people involved who wanted to use the film as a vehicle for their own voices. Aged between 16 and 25, the eager creatives collaborated across 14 different film shoots and with over 100 members of the public and featured artists across several scenes.
“With the arrival of 2026, we are now excited to be returning to our base at Ardrossan Youth Centre to get started on our next production. But in order for the project to be a success, we need to enlist the help of more young people than ever before who want to take the leap to make their mark on the Scottish creative scene.”
The upcoming project is supported by North Ayrshire Council’s Community Learning and Development team and will welcome local young people and New Scots to be part of the action.
Quote: The benefits the project has had in integrating New Scots within the local community cannot be understated. The collaborative nature of Next Take’s last film project made Piece of Mind a truly unforgettable experience. It created for me a sense of community and belonging I've never experienced anywhere before. It helped me to overcome my anxiety and to become a more open, outreaching and communicative individual.
Quote from: Piece of Mind participant Oleksandr, New Scot originally from Ukraine
The new film project – working title still to be named by the young people involved - aims to create a safe, supportive, and collaborative space where young people can build skills, confidence, and meaningful connections.
Why get involved? Director Max explains: “Filmmaking offers a wide range of roles and forms of expression, making it an ideal tool for developing self-confidence, teamwork, and positive mental health. Participants will gain industry-specific skills alongside a host of transferable life skills.
“Our new project is open to anyone from any background, and we champion the diverse perspectives that young people from all different communities can bring to the team.
“This is an exciting opportunity to work with an award-winning team and BAFTA-winning actor. What also makes our projects unique, is that we have always worked closely with young people from New Scots communities, particularly Ukrainian communities, and we encourage others from similar backgrounds to get involved. Where we can, project support and learning can be offered in languages beyond English, helping to ensure everyone feels included and able to fully participate.”
The year-long project will begin on Saturday 31 January 2026, running every weekend from 11am to 4pm at Ardrossan Youth Centre, Stanley Road, KA22 7DW. It is open to young people aged 16–25.
If you, or someone you know, would be interested in getting involved or would like more information, please email info@nexttake.co.uk
Quote: The countdown is on now for Next Take’s exciting upcoming youth-led film production to get underway at Ardrossan Youth Centre. From writing to editing, filming, production and behind the scenes, there’s something for everyone in this unique creative opportunity. So why not be part of the action? No filmmaking experience is required. Participants simply need to have an eagerness to learn about filmmaking, share a passion for storytelling and a willingness to take a chance on themselves and realise their untapped potential.
Quote from: Councillor Chloé Robertson, North Ayrshire’s Young People’s Champion
Stay tuned for further news updates on the project.
Watch the team’s recent youth-led short film Piece of Mind on YouTube.
Published: 16 January 2026