Scottish content streaming platform Scotflix to launch next month

Scotflix’s Adam Greenwood and Maureen Hascoet

Scotflix, a streaming platform dedicated to Scottish content, is due to launch at the Scottish Screenwriters Film Festival in Glasgow on September 12.

Founded by Maureen Hascoet, founder of the festival and prodco Firewalker Pictures, Scotflix will host films, shorts, series and podcast content that is made in Scotland, made by Scottish-based creators, or centred on Scottish subjects. Adam Greenwood is co-founder and chief operating officer.

According to the company, content has already been committed by BAFTA-winning filmmakers, established production companies and independent creators, including full catalogues.

Powered by London-based content operating system Hiway, Scotflix aims to “flip the traditional streaming model on its head” by allowing the creators to keep full ownership of their IP, see who exactly who is watching and receive their share of every transaction in real time, direct to their bank account.

Creators can upload their own content, set the metadata and build their own syndication contract on the platform for the Scotflix team to review, approve and set live. All content will be curated by the Scotflix editorial team.

Hascoet said: “For decades, Scotland has produced extraordinary writers, filmmakers, actors and crews, but too often the IP, the audience relationship and the long-term value leave with the distribution.

“There is no shortage of audience for Scotland. There is a shortage of infrastructure and connection. Scotflix is that infrastructure. For too long, Scottish creators have been tenants on someone else’s land. Scotflix hands them the title deeds. If your project has a Scottish interest, you are in.”

David Orman, co-founder and CEO of Hiway, added: “Scotflix is exactly what Hiway was built for. A way for companies to operate their own streaming service, live in minutes, without hiring technical teams or investing heavily in complicated streaming technologies. Plus a community of creators who deserve to own what they make.

“That’s why the partnership is so great – every filmmaker on Scotflix keeps their IP, owns their fan data and gets paid in real time. No middlemen, no 90-day payment windows, no giving away your audience to someone else’s algorithm.”

Scotflix will be available online from launch day, with mobile and smart TV apps to follow.