News > 2009

FILMG WINNER GOES GLOBAL

16 June 2009

An acclaimed young director from North Uist has been invited to take part in two prestigious international film festivals this summer.


Siubhlachan

Uisdean Murray won the top award of ‘best professional film’ at MG ALBA’s 2008 FilmG award ceremony for his entry ‘Siubhlachan’ (Traveller), which has been selected for the two competitions.

The Time Film Festival is an international competition of short films taking place in Switzerland on June 19 and 20 and the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, taking place in South Korea on July 16 is the biggest genre film festival in Asia.

‘Siubhlachan’ (Traveller), an intriguing Gaelic short film, tells the poignant tale about a young girl, Seonag, who travels back in time to visit her recently deceased Grandfather. ‘Siubhlachan’ can be viewed online at www.uisdeanmurray.com

Director of ‘Siubhlachan’ was Uisdean Murray with credits to Lily Island Films, Sessions of the Mind (2008) Sweet Stained (2006) Photographic Trophy (2004) and Dating is Murder (2002).

‘Siubhlachan’ will be considered for several awards at both the Time Film Festival and the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, as well as being screened at Rutger Hauer’s Internet Contest section of his film festival ‘I’ve Seen Films’ (www.icfilms.org).

Uisdean Murray said: “I'm very proud of the film and all those that helped make it. It is a fantastic honour to be selected for such prestigious festivals and I am looking forward to promoting Siubhlachan to an international audience. I am currently developing the short film into a broadcast pilot for BBC ALBA.”

Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA said: “Siubhlachan is a gem. It encapsulates everything we hoped for from FilmG - an enthralling story told movingly with new on-screen talent. We wish Uisdean all the very best when he competes in these two major international film festivals in Switzerland and South Korea. Festival-goers are in for a treat when they see the film, and we hope they will see it as a showcase for the creative talent there is in the Gaelic television and film industry.”

MG ALBA’s FilmG is a valuable medium in opening up an array of prominent platforms for aspiring film makers both on the international stage and at home. International appeal was generated for ‘Siubhlachan’ as well as the winner of FilmG’s ‘best script’ category being entered into the BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2009. FilmG entrants have also achieved local screenings across Scotland in community theatres, as well as participation in the Hi-Arts Screen Machine offering a mobile cinemas service to Scotland’s remote communities.

Potential entrants to FilmG 2009, when considering making a film, should be thinking about productions that will also appeal to a worldwide audience. More information is available on FilmG’s dedicated website www.filmg.co.uk.