California Schemin' (2025)
Director: James McAvoy
Writers: Elaine Grace and Archie Thompson
Producers: Danny Page (Homefront Productions) and Michael Mendelsohn (Patriot Pictures).
Supported by Screen Scotland project post funding.
UK Release: April 2026
Uk Distribution carried out by Studio Canal
US RELEASE: OCTOBER 2026
US Distribution carried out by Bob Yari's Magenta Light Studios.
About the film
Two Scottish lads from Dundee conned the music industry by pretending to be an established Californian rap duo, bagging a record deal and appearing on MTV until their scam unraveled.
Starring James McAvoy (Split, Speak No Evil), Séamus McLean Ross (Outlander), Samuel Bottomley (How To Have Sex), Lucy Halliday (The Testaments) and Rebekah Murrell (One Day).
Awards
Gasparilla International Film Festival (2026): Winner of the President's Spotlight Award (James McAvoy).
Festa del Cinema di Roma / Rome Film Festival (2025): Special Mention from the jury for the Best First Feature Award (actors Samuel Bottomley and Séamus McLean Ross).