Two FilmG Finalists To Be Entered Into The BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2009

Voting for FilmG, MG ALBA's innovative Gaelic online short film competition has attracted a great level of online votes, with over 600 being made so far.
FilmG is aimed at uncovering creative talent for the new Gaelic television channel, BBC ALBA. In addition, two of the very best film entries from the 'new entrant' category will be entered into the BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2009.
Voting ends on January 14, so there is only one day left to help your favourite entry, in the running for the 'People's Choice Award' to be presented by TV Greg Hemphill, now is a crucial time to get voting.
Submitted film entries loaded onto FilmG's dedicated website - www.filmg.co.uk - have attracted over 13,000 hits from members of the public viewing the work of aspiring and talented film makers.
Donald Campbeill, Chief Executive of MG ALBA, said: "The competition has been attracting a large number of entries from throughout the Gaelic speaking world and beyond, as far afield as Alaska. The level of online voting has been terrific for in the inaugural FilmG competition, but there's still time to vote for your favourite.
"FilmG offered training and prizes which meant that participants would have to make an investment of time and money in order to take part. This was specifically designed to draw out those who had a burning desire to tell stories on camera in Gaelic. The high schools who embraced the project so enthusiastically, despite the many other demands on their time, deserve to be singled out for special praise.
"As partners with a remit for content and talent development in BBC ALBA, the new Gaelic television channel, this competition has shown how much untapped creative talent there is in the Gaelic community and it is fantastic to have BAFTA Scotland recognise this."
FilmG has been supported by many of Scotland's most successful film makers and script writers including Annie Griffin, Don Coutts, Robbie Fraser and Ian Finlay MacLeod.
There were four categories in which to enter; professional, new entrant, young people and mobile phone short films and participants had five themes to choose from; collision, yikes!, Saturday night, new faces, new places and dark and light.
The judges' shortlist for each category will be posted online on January 14 and the winners will be announced at the FilmG awards ceremony on February 6 in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness. The award ceremony will provide live music from acclaimed Isle of Skye band Injuns, with special guests in attendance and a chance to meet industry professionals.
Cash prizes of £35,000 are up for grabs as well as the chance to develop broadcast pilots for BBC ALBA.
(KMcA?BMcC)