Ayrshire Film Company
Lights, Camera, Community Action
John McBlain
In the heart of Kilmarnock, one local outfit is proving that filmmaking isn’t just for the big cities – it’s thriving right here on our doorstep. Ayrshire Film Company CIC, now marking over 11 years since its founding in 2014, continues to blend top-quality media production with a heartfelt mission to support young creatives and strengthen our communities.
As a social enterprise, Ayrshire Film Company delivers professional video content for clients across Scotland from promotional clips and social media videos to training films, documentaries, and event coverage. Profits are reinvested into free or low-cost opportunities for young people, ensuring the business model drives genuine local impact rather than private gain.
The real magic happens in their commitment to creative education and the next generation. Ayrshire often misses out on arts opportunities due to proximity to Glasgow’s hubs, but Ayrshire Film Company bridges that gap. They run workshops, projects, and hands-on training in media skills, screenwriting, cinematography, sound, directing, editing and more for youngsters mainly aged 16-25, including school groups.
This was a major factor in the decision to set up a social enterprise, founding director Taylor McInroy shared: “For me I’ve always been really proud to come from Ayrshire, I think we’ve got so much to appreciate here and I’ve always hated the idea that you have to leave Ayrshire in order to ‘make it’.”
A major milestone has been bringing the prestigious BFI Film Academy Short Course to Ayrshire for the first time. This high-quality programme targets ambitious 16-19-year-olds not in university, offering masterclasses, practical filmmaking experience, and insight into the industry’s creative and commercial sides. Participants produce their own short films, build portfolios, and gain confidence in a supportive environment. Taylor is proud to have delivered this locally, opening doors that might otherwise stay closed.
Their flagship project is ‘TV Ayrshire’ which, thanks to funding from Young Start through the National Lottery Community Fund, has been supporting over 50 young people over the past two years to learn new media skills such as content creation, presenting, smartphone editing and graphic design whilst creating positive content all about Ayrshire.
Recent years have brought exciting changes too. A leadership transition has injected fresh energy with new board members and directors stepping in to guide the next chapter. In late 2025, the company secured a new home on the third floor of Kilmarnock’s Burns Mall – a partnership that provides dedicated space to expand activities, welcome more groups, and revitalise community hubs for creative work.
Taylor’s journey, shared recently on the ‘Just John’ podcast hosted by new Company Director John McBlain, underscores the role of education, timing, and collaboration. “It’s all about timing, I suppose!” he notes, while emphasising that “we can do it in Ayrshire.”
The company has achieved significant milestones: supporting dozens of young people, delivering standout projects, and proving filmmaking as a legitimate career path. Through initiatives like these, Ayrshire Film Company fosters entrepreneurship in the creative industries, builds self-belief, and creates pathways into media. Alumni have gone on to roles with major names, while many stay involved, mentoring others and keeping the momentum going.
As they look to the future – more workshops, bigger collaborations, and perhaps even more community spaces – Ayrshire Film Company stands as a beacon of what’s possible when local talent meets purpose. In a county rich with stories waiting to be told, this social enterprise isn’t just making films – it’s nurturing dreams, one frame at a time. Right here in Ayrshire, creativity is alive and well, and it’s got our young people firmly in the director’s chair.
