THE effort to build a Scottish international film studio has been described as a "debacle" by the actor's union.

Equity have told MSPs that Scottish Enterprise should no longer have a role in creating a film studio, in candid new evidence given to the Holyrood Culture Committee.

However, Equity said it had lost confidence in Scottish Enterprise over the "debacle" involving building a new studio facility in Scotland, and said the agency had given "the impression of a body that thinks it is above Parliament".

Meanwhile Glasgow-based company Caledonia TV said there was a "general sense that Scottish Enterprise do not understand our industry and how we operate".

The TV company said the agency was prioritising companies from London setting up Scottish bases, rather than investing in indigenous firms.

The long search for a purpose built film studio in Scotland has led to official backing for an extension of the Wardpark Studio in Cumbernauld, where the hit TV series Outlander is filmed, as well as permission for a larger complex in Straiton, outside Edinburgh.

Another major plan, Guardhouse, on land at Heriot Watt University, is also in development.

Responsibility for supporting the screen sector is currently shared between Scottish Enterprise and arts organisation Creative Scotland.

A dedicated Scottish Screen Unit is to be set up by next year within Creative Scotland, with input from Scottish Enterprise and other agencies.

The new criticism of Scottish Enterprise's role emerged in written submissions to Holyrood's Culture Committee.

The committee is holding an inquiry into how recommendations from the Screen Sector Leadership Group (SSLG) can be implemented.

Equity's submission states: "Equity believes Creative Scotland is making progress against a hostile landscape.

"We have serious reservations about Scottish Enterprise's interest or ability regarding the screen sector."

Asked whether support provided by Scottish Enterprise was adequate, the submission adds: "No, especially on the studio debacle.

"Equity would recommend re-allocating Scottish Enterprise resources to Creative Scotland.

"Scottish Enterprise's submission and presentations to various parliamentary committees on the subject of the screen sector give the impression of a body that thinks it is above Parliament."

Calendonia TV's submission states: "There is a general sense that Scottish Enterprise (SE) do not understand our industry and how we operate.

"Basic business training flip charts - which we do not need, having survived for 25 years - and consultants, who know much less about our business than we do, are not the answer."

Its submission adds that the agency is failing to provide business development support to smaller firms, with Caledonia TV informed that it cannot be account managed by it because its turnover is too low.

"There appears to be a trend in Scottish Enterprise to regard companies close to or above the £10 million turnover level as the favoured area for investment," it states.

"We would argue that growing companies of our scale - and 25 years of experience and job creation - is also important."

It continues: "Scottish Enterprise has a tendency to prioritise large companies from London setting up Scottish bases for 'inward investment' funds."

David Smith, sector director at Scottish Enterprise, said: "We welcome all input into the committee's inquiry to help shape the future development of Scotland's screen industry.

"Our remit is to support companies with high growth ambitions to ensure Scotland develops the companies of scale we need to generate economic growth.

"Research shows particularly significant economic impact when companies grow their turnover above £10 million so we work with companies of all sizes and turnover who can demonstrate the ambition and capability to scale up to this size.

"Most recently we've provided support to Scottish-based companies such as Blazing Griffin and Axis Studios to expand and create more jobs.

"There's also good progress being made by Wardpark Studios, with the management team remaining committed to further expansion, and Pentland Studios and Guardhouse have also announced their intentions to establish studios in Scotland.

"To achieve all of this we work alongside our partners, particularly Creative Scotland as the lead screen agency in Scotland, and we've been working closely with them to finalise plans for the new screen unit."