THREE BBC ALBA PROGRAMMES RECEIVE BAFTA SCOTLAND NOMINATIONS

BBC ALBA is delighted to announce that three of its programmes have received nominations in the BAFTA Scotland Awards 2009, announced in Glasgow last week.

Eilbheas (Elvis), the drama set on Lewis which explores Elvis's influence on a young punk, has been nominated in the ‘Television Drama’ award category. Eadar-Chluich (Interlude) a series of six short films without words and each based on a Gaelic song has also been nominated in the ‘Television Drama’ award category. Both are up against New Town and River City.

Eòrpa, BBC ALBA’s current affairs series which features political and social developments covering Europe, has been nominated in the ‘News and Current Affairs’ award category and is up against BBC Scotland Investigates - Scotland’s Brand New Bank and Panorama - Britain’s Homecare Scandal.

Alan Esslemont, Head of content for BBC ALBA, said: “We are delighted that two of the channel’s programmes have been recognised in this year’s BAFTA Scotland nominations. This is fantastic news for the MG ALBA and BBC partnership. Since coming on air, we have been working with the best of Scotland's creative talent to produce high quality programmes that appeal to both Gaelic and Scotland-wide audiences. These BAFTA nominations are testament to that.”

Eilbheas is based on Tonaidh, a 17 year old boy living on Lewis in the 1970's. Alienated from his distant mother and alcoholic father he escapes into punk music. Suicide seems the only answer. He fails even at that and as he recovers from his overdose he sees Elvis. Tonaidh is not amused to have a mentor in the form of a man in a white jump suit, despite this Elvis touches his life. The character of Elvis glows against the stark island landscape in a tale which both touches the heart and makes you laugh. “Eilbheas,” written by Mairi Kidd and Torcuil Crichton, is a quirky comedy drama starring Greg Hemphill as Elvis and newcomer Sean MacLeod as Tonaidh.

Renowned Scots actor Iain Glen leads a stellar cast playing characters in each of the Eadar-Chluich (Interlude) short films. Produced by independent Glasgow based company Sorbier Productions and funded by MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service, the project was a year in the making and brought stars such as Martin Compston (‘Sweet Sixteen’, ‘True North’), Kate Dickie (‘Red Road’), and Greg McHugh (‘Tank Commander’, ‘Gary’s War’) to BBC ALBA.

BAFTA Scotland will announce the winners at the award ceremony taking place in Glasgow on November 8th.