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

MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service today (Sunday) praised emerging creative talent in Scotland, following FilmG, their Gaelic online digital shorts competition, which was aimed at unearthing creative talent in the Scottish media industry.

The competition, for the second year running, was a resounding success attracting an excellent calibre of entries from all over Scotland as well as many international productions, with creative ideas ranging from chilling ghost stories to animations, action and adventure.

FilmG’s award ceremony was held at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness (Friday 5 February).

Guest presenter on the night was Joe Thomas who stars as Simon Cooper in the BAFTA nominated British sitcom The Inbetweeners, along with some of Scotland’s most successful film makers and script writers who have supported FilmG. The award ceremony culminated with live entertainment from BBC ALBA Rapal winners, Niteworks.

Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA, said: “Congratulations to all wining entries in this year’s completion. In the second year running, FilmG has attracted an excellent calibre of entries in both the Young People and Adult category, all of whom have shown great ambition and creative talent.

“Our aim is to help develop creative talent in Gaelic media through FilmG, and we were extremely impressed with the range of imaginative interpretations of this year‘s theme ‘Gaisgeach’, (Hero, Warrior or Champion). I would like to thank everyone who participated this year and hope that as FilmG develops, more will participate next year in the competition as it offers an excellent opportunity for those interested in pursuing a career in Scotland’s screen industries.”

Winners of the top awards were as follows:

· Best Drama – Ewan Smith from Dundee for Cnap-starra Cànain (The language barrier)
o Cnap-starra Cànain follows the tale of a man walking his dog who is asked for directions by a most unusual visitor! To view the film visit http://www.filmg.co.uk/en/viewfilm09.php?id=153
· Best Performance – Liz Pyper a Glasgow Gaelic student originally from Blackhall, Edinburgh for ‘An Latha a fhuair Gaidhlig greim air an t-saoghal’ (The day Gaelic took over the world) produced, written and directed by Liz Pyper
o ‘An Latha a fhuair Gaidhlig greim air an t-saoghal’ tells the tale of a girl who is happy with her life but for one thing.....what would happen if all of her wishes came true? To view this film visit www.filmg.co.uk/en/viewfilm09.php?id=144.
· Best ‘Young People’ Film - Pupils from Ardnamurchan High School for ‘An Texan a' Tilleadh Dhachaigh’ (The Texan Coming Home)
o ‘An Texan a' Tilleadh Dhachaigh’ tells the tale of a Texan returning home to Strontian - but what will the people at home think of him? To view this film visit www.filmg.co.uk/en/viewfilm09.php?id=182
· People’s Choice Award – Pupils from Islay High School for (The Tower)
o ‘An Tùr’ tells the story of a girl who is dreaming in class of a tower and sees her friend walk into it. She wakens with a fright from the teacher and sees him wearing the same cloak as she saw in the dream. She warns her friend not to go to the tower. Her dream becomes reality where she goes on a mission to save her friend. Upon saving her, she remembers that there are three other girls missing. To view this film visit http://www.filmg.co.uk/en/viewfilm09.php?id=123.

FilmG does offer opportunities in the Scottish creative industry. As a result of entering FilmG last year, Uisdean Murray, an acclaimed young director from North Uist, who won the top award of ‘best professional film’ for his entry ‘Siubhlachan’ (Traveller), had his short entered into two prestigious international film festivals last summer; the Time Film Festival, Switzerland and the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, South Korea. The film was also screened at Rutger Hauer’s Internet Contest last year.

‘Siubhlachan’, an intriguing Gaelic short film which tells the poignant tale about a young girl, Seonag, who travels back in time to visit her recently deceased Grandfather was commissioned for a BBC ALBA drama and broadcast on Christmas Eve 2009.

For further information on FilmG and to view all winning entries visit www.filmg.co.uk.