News > 2009

MG ALBA PRAISES EMERGING CREATIVE TALENT AT INAUGURAL GAELIC SCREEN AWARD CEREMONY

MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service today (Monday 9 February) praised emerging creative talent in Scotland, following FilmG, their Gaelic online digital shorts competition, which was aimed at unearthing creative talent for BBC ALBA.

The competition was a resounding success, attracting over 50 high quality entries and uncovering enormous creative talent in the Gaelic media industry. The award ceremony was held at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness (Friday 6 February).

Alasdair Morrison, Chairman of MG ALBA, said: "In this inaugural FilmG competition our aim was to uncover creative talent for BBC ALBA. I can say that I have been absolutely delighted at the level of interest in the project and the number of new Gaelic short films now available to view online.

"Congratulations to all winners and a big thanks to all entrants in each of the categories. We have thoroughly enjoyed all the shorts in each category and the future for Gaelic media looks very exciting indeed given the enthusiasm and flair shown throughout FilmG from both home and abroad."

Winners of the top awards were as follows:

  • Professional category - Uisdean Murray from North Uist for ‘Siubhlachan’
    • ‘Siubhlachan’ tells the poignant tale about a young girl, who travels back in time to visit her recently deceased Grandfather.
  • New Entrants category - Seonaid NicDhomhnaill from Lewis for ‘Oidhche Shaithairne’
    • ‘Oidhche Shaithairne’ tells the story of a young man who unburdens himself of his past.
  • Young People category - Pupils from Castlebay High School for ‘An Dùsgadh’
    • ‘An Dùsgadh’ tells the story of a friendship between a boy and a girl, a car crash and a fatal twist….....what happened in the end!
  • People’s Choice Award - Muriel Ann MacLeod from Storonoway for ‘Sìol’
    • ‘Sìol’ theme is ‘dark and light’ follows a dark murder mystery set in Scandanavia

In addition, the two best film entries in the ‘new entrant’ category will be entered into the BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2009; ‘Oidhche Shathairne’ by Seonaid Nic Dhomhnaill and ‘Cha bidh Ruith’ ach Leum’ by Rachel Sandilands and Gary Dewar.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said: "The MG ALBA FilmG is a great initiative that highlights the talent and creativity we have in Scotland. Competitions like these are giving young people the chance to take that first step towards a career in the screen industries. It is where new talent is discovered and the creative talents of those working in Gaelic film and television are celebrated. And with the advent of BBC ALBA in particular, opportunities for this next generation of broadcasters and film-makers are there to be grasped."

Highlighting MG ALBA’s commitment to new talent development, it was announced at the ceremony that MG ALBA will be providing a bursary placement on a new MA in TV and Fiction Writing course being launched by Glasgow Caledonian University and Shed Media, producers of programmes including Waterloo Road and Bad Girls.

The course, only one of two available in the country, will draw on some of the top creative writing talent from the UK and abroad and will fast track and develop industry ready writers for TV.

To view all finalist entries in FilmG visit www.filmg.co.uk.

FilmG winners
Picture caption: Presenters on the night, Fiona Mackenzie, the face of BBC ALBA (far left) and Calum MacCauley (far right) childrens programme presenter on BBC ALBA with all FilmG winners.