The Board of Scottish Screen have agreed in principle to the additional funding of £150,000 for the production of Peter Mullan’s film Magdalene, subject to the private sector funding of the film being contractually secured. Together with the Film Council, Scottish Screen are backing the project to the maximum permitted amount of public partnership funding, given that the producers had used their best endeavours to raise finance elsewhere. This decision has been reached against the extraordinary circumstances created through foot and mouth disease in Dumfries & Galloway where Magdalene will be filmed, and the desire to back talent .

James Lee, Chairman of Scottish Screen said:  " Peter Mullan is a very special Scottish talent and we want to back his second feature film. Orphans was an outstanding critical success. Magdalene is a commercial challenge, but with Peter’s passion and determination we have faith in him being able to make a great film."

Jim Faulds, Chair of Scottish Screen’s Lottery Committee said " The filming of Magdalene in Dumfries and Galloway at this time of national crisis, with the effects of foot and mouth disease and its impact on the local economy, makes this a very special case, and we want to do everything we can to help"

John Archer Chief Executive of Scottish Screen said "These are exceptional circumstances. I am grateful that the Board have been able to respond so quickly and positively. Now, with the extra funding from Dumfries & Galloway Council and Scottish Enterprise Dumfries & Galloway and once heads of agreement are signed with the private financers, the film will be able to go ahead. This will mean a spend of around a million pounds in Dumfries & Galloway at a time when it is most needed."

Frances Higson who will produce the film is pleased that this extra money means they  can shoot the film in Scotland after all. "It is with a huge sense of relief that I am now able to announce that pre-production is now under way in Dumfries, Scotland. It hasn't been an easy film to get financed, there are eight partners involved,with Scottish Screen as the major investor, they were the first as well as the last to commit finance. I am confident that with the strong creative team working alongside us we will make a powerful and uncompromising film. Peter and I are really looking forward to working in and with the town of Dumfries."

Belle Doyle who runs the Film Office in Dumfries and Galloway is delighted at the news. "This is exactly what Dumfries needs at this time and the townspeople are thrilled and very excited at the prospect of Magdalene
shooting here. The  production company can be assured that they will get full co-operation from all of us in this area,

Magdalene tells the tough tale of the asylums run by the Magdalene Order of nuns in Ireland which were set up to house "fallen" women and orphans. These institutions were famous for their laundries, and existed mostly in Ireland with a few in Scotland until late last century.  Vanessa Redgrave is believed to be in line for the starring role.