Long-time BFI executive Isabel Davis is to step down from her role as Head Of International to become Executive Director of Scotlands new Screen Unit. Davis will take up her post in September.

Davis is a well known figure in the UK and on the international circuit with good talent, producers and financier relationships. Her BFI role combined editorial, production and policy expertise. As a production executive she worked on films including Pawel Pawlikowskis Cold War which premiered at Cannes 2018 in Official Selection, winning Best Director; Haifaa Al Mansours Mary Shelley which premiered at Toronto International Film Festival 2017; Yorgos Lanthimoss Oscar-nominated The Lobster which premiered in Official Competition at Cannes Film Festival 2015; and the forthcoming films from Claire Denis and Victor Kossakovsky. She also backed the development of films from Scottish talent including David Mackenzie and Rona Munro.

Davis negotiated the film co-production treaty between the UK and China, which was ratified in 2016, and contributed to the negotiation of the UKs TV co-production treaty with China, ratified in 2017. She also negotiated the audiovisual co-production treaty between the UK and Brazil, ratified in 2017.

At Scotlands Screen Unit she will work with the nations partnership agencies to deliver the ambitions set out in Scotlands Collaborative Screen Proposal. She will hold overall responsibility to deliver the Screen Unit targets to double film and TV production spend in Scotland by 2022/23. The aim will be to drive growth and she will negotiate new Screen sector deals and partnerships in Scotland, across the UK, and internationally. The Screen Unit is a partnership between Creative Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council.

Davis said, “The new Screen Unit represents a step change in opportunity for Scotlands screen industries. With a doubling of resources to £20m each year and a shared strategic vision, its time for Scotlands talented film and TV sectors to fulfil their potential, and to create a highly attractive environment for incoming creative companies and productions.

“Its an enormous privilege to be joining Creative Scotland and to be given the responsibility of leading the Screen Unit and promoting and supporting Scotlands phenomenal range of screen talent, facilities, crews, locations and the broader industry.

“Im so grateful to my amazing colleagues and collaborators whove made my time at the BFI such a wonderful adventure, and Im looking forward to working with many of them as I now focus on helping Scotlands screen industries achieve the level of success they so richly deserve. I cant wait to get started in September.”

Iain Munro, Deputy Chief Executive of Creative Scotland and chair of the recruitment panel said, “The Screen Industries in Scotland are currently experiencing significant growth in terms of production spend, with huge ambition and potential for so much more. At a time when budgets for supporting Screen through Creative Scotland are doubling to help deliver that, I am delighted to announce Isabels appointment as the Executive Director who will lead this bright future for Screen in Scotland.

Ben Roberts, Director of the BFI Film Fund added, “Congratulations to Isabel, and also to Creative Scotland – this is a great appointment, and Isabel will be an incredible asset to Scotland at the new Screen Unit. Her UK and international networks, her knowledge, and the regard in which she is held across the industry are peerless. We will all miss her, but look forward to working with her in her new role. Nice one Isabel.”

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