Creative Scotland Crowdmatch has provided £620 of match funding
Don't Be Alarmed: A Scottish Activism Documentary
Glasgow, Glasgow City, United Kingdom
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Aim
To complete a feature documentary about a Scottish activists group, as they fight against climate change and the cost of living crisis.
This project is supported by Creative Scotland's Crowdmatch fund.
(photo by Christopher McGill)
STORY
This is a coming-of-age story following the journey of Scottish activist group This is Rigged (Tír).
The group's tactics are uncompromising and creative: shutting down oil exports, disrupting global sporting events, and redistributing food to those in need. For them, climate collapse and social inequality are not separate battles; they are symptoms of the same issue. And they refuse to play by the rules of a rigged system.
But as the UK government cracks down on activists across the country, their actions carry brutal consequences: sleepless nights, fractured friendships, public backlash, and the ever-present threat of arrest.
What begins as a passionate and spirited fight for a better future becomes a trial of endurance as the group now fights not just for their cause but for their own future.
WHO IS THIS IS RIGGED?
(photo by Christopher McGill)
This Is Rigged (TìR) is a Scottish activist group taking direct action against climate collapse and rising living costs across the UK.
Formed in 2023 as a splinter group from Just Stop Oil, they operate on a core belief: these emergencies are fundamentally connected, and only radical, immediate action can force the necessary change.
Their name highlights a rigged system but also has a deeper meaning. TìR means “land” in Scottish Gaelic, reflecting their focus on protecting people and the planet.
This Is Rigged quickly seized national attention, making headlines with their bold interventions.
WHY THIS STORY
(photo by Jonathan Cuvelier)
This is a global story, and it's a Scottish story. The silencing of dissent and the erosion of civil liberties are no longer abstract stories on our screens; they are fixtures of daily life, playing out on our very doorsteps.
With people around the world fighting for climate and social justice, it’s time Scotland joined that conversation. At the heart of our film are young Scots driven by a vision for a better future, as well as by their roots, local folklore, and myths.
What makes this story unique is that it follows a movement from its birth to its coming of age. It’s an insight into a direct action group that we haven’t seen before, told through young and distinctive Scottish voices.
Don't Be Alarmed will offer an intimate look at a group of unconventional activists, blending chaos, joy, and risk with an honest insight into their motivations. Its heart and high stakes will resonate with people, whether they agree with the tactics or not.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP TO TELL IT
(photo by Christopher McGill)
We REALLY need your help.
Funding a film is always challenging, but this one has been especially tricky. Why? Climate and social activists are a controversial subject. We don't think they are, but many funding bodies do. This means many traditional backers will shy away from the subject. They think it's too political, too risky; nobody would want to see it.
But we believe that the people and themes at the heart of this story are exactly what make it so special and urgent. And if you've read this far, we think you might agree.
We can only make this film a reality if it's funded by individuals like you. That means financial support from people who want to see this story told authentically. This approach will also allow us to create the honest, grounded narrative we've always intended for Don't Be Alarmed.
Please donate if you can, and if you're not able to, it would mean the world if you could share this and spread the word about our project. If you are part of a community group or those concerned with climate justice please share this link or get in touch. Why not blog about our campaign? Share with friends and family WhatsApp groups. We can only make this film together.
WHERE YOUR MONEY WILL GO
Here's the good news: we've already filmed it. Our director Chris and a small, dedicated crew have spent almost two years alongside the group, gathering a treasure trove of close-up, exciting, raw footage. We just need to make it into a film now. Sounds easy? Not so easy! This step is not possible without money.
Editing, sound design, colour grading, animation, and music: that's what you'll be funding. In return, we'll deliver a finished film we can share with you, with Scotland, with the UK, and hopefully with audiences everywhere.
Even better news: this project is supported by Creative Scotland's Crowdmatch fund. This means every single donation, up to £250, will be matched pound for pound. So whether you can give £10 or £50, your support instantly doubles in value. Twice the impact, and a huge step closer to our goal.
THE TEAM
Director Christopher McGill is a Scottish filmmaker with a track record of spotlighting unusual characters and stories that live on the fringes of mainstream culture. His filmmaking is driven by a belief in cinema as a space for connection, resistance, and reimagining the world we live in.
His short documentary Is It Me (2021) was shortlisted for the Grierson Trust Award 2021, screened on BFI Player, and screened at festivals internationally. His scripted short film Crypsis (2019) was selected for BFI Flare, shown on BFI Player, and toured internationally. He also directed the documentary Beautiful Trouble (2024), which follows a queer international activist. The film has toured across Europe and been shown at festivals such as Oslo Fusion Festival, HUMAN, and GAZE.
He is a co-director of Riot Productions, the company behind the acclaimed Scottish BAFTA-nominated feature documentary Rebel Dykes (2021).
Director's Vision
I spent two years with the group, filming with them from the very start. I joined them for daring actions and quieter soup nights alike. Engaging with this community was transformative. These young people blend humour, vulnerability, and determination in ways that challenge how activism is often portrayed. Documenting their guarded, high-stakes world, I sought to capture their raw energy and unfiltered ideals.
At its heart, Don't Be Alarmed is a portrait of a generation wrestling with inherited crises and dreaming of a different future. It's a coming-of-age story: the birth of a direct action group and their growing up in a world that wants them to stay quiet.
(photo by Christopher McGill)
Our acclaimed producing team are experienced filmmakers with a track record of making documentaries entering activists and cultural movements.
Producer Franziska Bloder Aguayo is a Glasgow-based producer with a decade of production freelance experience in TV and film. She has produced and managed commissioned short films through GMAC's Little Pictures scheme and North Star Shorts. Our executive producers are Siobhan Fahey, producer of the cult documentary Rebel Dykes (2021), alongside acclaimed Scottish production company Enemy Films (Still the Enemy Within, 2014; Dying to Divorce, 2021; Hong Kong: City on Fire, 2022).
We're extremely grateful for all donations made. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to refund or decline any donation that we feel does not align with the ethos of this project. Thank you!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 7th August 2026 at 8:29am