SCOTTISH film producers have asked the government to take urgent action to increase investment in the movie industry north of the border.

Following the report by Holyrood's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, which recommends a film studio be built in Scotland - with any further delay causing "lasting damage" to the film and TV industries north of the border - the Independent Producers Scotland group have called for a £5 million funding pot for film development and production.

The group (IPS) also called for a dedicated Inward Investment Fund to be set up to coincide with any studio and more resources, personnel and finance for films at Creative Scotland, the national arts funding body.

Its members add: "We back the committee's demand for Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise to work more effectively together."

IPS said it acknowledges it is the responsibility of Scotland's producers "to develop world class, competitive film projects" but it added: "But given the level of competition within the UK and abroad, £3.5 million across production and development remains simply not enough."

John Archer, producer and chair of the IPS, said: "To capitalise on a strong generation of Scottish producers we need many more films made in Scotland.

"A studio - along with the support of an inward investment fund - will enable producers and companies to grow, creating sustainable businesses."

Arabella Page Croft, the producer of Sunshine on Leith, said: "Scottish producers really want to make more fantastic films for the Scottish audience, which project our nation around the world.

"More films mean more Scottish hits.

"That's what we all need to be working towards."