Alba Applauds Creative Talent

Alba, the Gaelic Media Service, has 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 at the beginning of February and saw guest presenter 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," he said.
The winners of the top awards were as follows: Best Drama – Ewan Smith from Dundee for Cnap-starra Cànain (The language barrier); Best Performance – Liz Pyper a Glasgow Gaelic student originally from Blackhall, Edinburgh for An Latha a fhuair Gaidhlig greim air an t-saoghal; Best Young People’Film - Pupils from Ardnamurchan High School for An Texan a' Tilleadh Dhachaigh (The Texan Coming Home) and the Peoples Choice Award – Pupils from Islay High School for (The Tower).
FilmG does really 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.
(BMcC/GK)