Sir Sean Connery, the legendary actor and original James Bond star, passed away in October 2020, leaving behind a rich legacy in the arts.

In honor of their father, his sons, Jason and Stephane Connery, established the Sean Connery Foundation to support young filmmakers in Scotland.

The Connery brothers expressed pride in continuing their father's legacy through the Talent Lab, which aims to nurture emerging talent in the film industry.

The Sean Connery Talent Lab is a collaboration between the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) and the National Film and Television School (NFTS), running over the course of a year.

Chris Young, head of the Talent Lab, emphasized the initiative's potential to expand the filmmaking community in Scotland and praised the filmmakers' bold and distinctive work.

Jon Wardle, NFTS director, noted the exceptional quality and ambition of the films produced by the first cohort of the Talent Lab, which exceeded expectations.

Paul Ridd, EIFF's chief executive, praised the initiative for producing a diverse range of films and highlighted the pivotal support from the Sean Connery Foundation.

Six short films from the Sean Connery Talent Lab will premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August 2025, showcasing the talents of emerging filmmakers.

The films to premiere include 'Gowk' by Ryan Pollock, 'Nora Can’t Score' by Josefa Celestin, 'Lady Maclean' by Catriona Macleod, 'Twenty Twenty' by Alex Salam, 'Static' by Miranda Stern, and 'Checkout' by Mairead Hamilton.

The Connery family emphasized that this premiere represents a continuation of Sean Connery's legacy in the arts, particularly in Edinburgh, which he cherished.

The initiative aims to support emerging talent in the film industry, reflecting the Connery family's commitment to excellence and opportunity in the arts.