Nominees Announced for FilmG 23 January 2024
While some may be eagerly awaiting the Baftas and Oscars, Scotland’s Gaelic communities are busy preparing for Gaelic film’s biggest night of the year: the FilmG Awards.
-18 Shortlists 18+ Shortlists
Over 50 films have been shortlisted for the FilmG Awards, a night celebrating the best Gaelic storytellers and filmmakers in Scotland and beyond. Winners will be crowned in categories such as Best Performance, Best Production Design, Technical Excellence, and the Best Film Award.
Leading the way with four nominations in the Under-18 competition is ‘A Bheil Thu An Sin?‘, a psychological drama by the new independent filmmaking group Lost Rollerskate Pictures from Glasgow Gaelic School.
In the Over-18 competition, Inverness charity FC Sonas’s ‘Blàr nan Gàidheal’, which tells the story of the first-ever official football match in Gaelic, also has four nominations, closely followed by Isle of Lewis-based Tormod MacLeod’s funeral farce ‘An Tiodhlaiceadh’ (three nominations).
With the judges’ job now complete, the only categories still to be decided are the FilmG Choice Awards, with the public vote for these categories still open until midnight, 2nd February. Votes can be cast online by the public at www.FilmG.co.uk.
Rachel Kennedy, FilmG Judge and star of hit BBC ALBA drama series An Clò Mòr, said:
“It’s been a record-breaking year for FilmG, with over 160 entries – the highest number of submissions since the competition began. The appetite for the competition is brilliant, but it makes our job as judges incredibly difficult as there is so much talent to choose from. Our shortlist has been carefully considered and showcases the best Gaelic filmmakers based on production, technical ability, and storytelling. From highly skilled animation to tear-jerking documentaries and cutting-edge dramas, the high level of talent, creativity, and effort has been evident in every film shortlisted, and they are all deserved finalists.”
FilmG Project Manager Megan Dale said:
“The theme for this year was “Mo Shealladh’ (My Point of View), and all the entrants embraced this by showcasing different perspectives and playing with form. The shortlisted films show a deep understanding of perspective and the importance of listening to Scotland’s multitude of voices. The nominees represent different perspectives from all over Scotland, including Thurso, Portree, Glasgow, Harris, Lewis, Dunoon, and Inverness. Often, when we think of the film industry, we picture London or Glasgow, but FilmG shows that a wealth of talent can be found in all corners of Scotland (and beyond) and that it is important to encourage these voices to be heard.”
MG ALBA’s Head of Publishing Maggie Taylor said:
“Congratulations to all the nominees this year – it’s wonderful to see such a diverse selection of stories and to acknowledge the skill, talent, and enormous technical effort it takes to bring them alive. The Awards night is where this talent can be recognised, and I’m excited to see who will be crowned FilmG winners on 23rd February. For the first time, the nominees list includes Gaelic filmmakers from the Isle of Man and Canada, showing the international reach of the Gaelic film competition. We hope to continue developing FilmG’s transnational ties and supporting the talented filmmakers emerging across Scotland.”
The FilmG Awards will take place on 23rd February in the Lomond Auditorium of Glasgow’s illustrious SEC. The awards will be live-streamed to YouTube, with a highlights programme to be broadcast two days later on BBC ALBA (Sunday, 25th February.)
Shortlists in Full:
-18
Best Film (-18)
- Bràthair Mòr Nan Gàidheal!! – Finlay & Calum Morrison
- Na Caimbeulaich – Dunoon Grammar School
- Iomlaineachd – Parker Dawes
- A Bheil Thu An Sin? – Lost Rollerskate Pictures
Best Performance (-18)
- Benji Bell & Rachael Wilson – A’ Foghlam SGG
- Iseabel MacRae – Bean na Bainnse
- Hannah Robertson – Seo do Bheatha
- Billy Rodgers – Beatha Dìomhair nan Tidsearan
- Finlay & Calum Morrison – Bràthair Mòr Nan Gàidheal!!
- Tomas Dimbleby Weber – A Bheil Thu An Sin?
Best Documentary (-18)
- BaidhsaGaels – Balaich CnaG Nicolson Institute
- Ar Sealladh aig Àrd-sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa – Thurso High School
- Mrs NicDhòmhnaill – Portree High School
- Aillse, Sealladh Marsaili – Sgoil Lionacleit
Rionnag (Star Award) (-18)
- Donnie MacAskill – Òran Eile Don Phrionnsa
- Jasmine Krzyzanowska-Pawlak – Sealladh na Bànrigh
- Willow Ferguson – Mrs NicDhòmhnaill
- Isla Scott – Nuair Thigeas An Oidhch’
- Sophie Smith – An Glaoine Nan Draoidh
- Silas Brown – Ionndrainn
Best Production Design (-18)
- Bean na Bainnse – Portree High School Media Class
- A Bheil Thu An Sin? – Lost Rollerskate Pictures
- Iomlaineachd – Parker Dawes
- Na Caimbeulaich – Dunoon Grammar School
Best Youth Group (-18)
- Dè Do Bheachd? – Sgoil an Taobh Siar
- Fògarrach no Fortanach? – Millbank Primary School
- Cluedo – Greenfaulds High School
- Sealladh à Siabost – Sgoil Shiaboist & Comann Eachdraidh an Taobh Siar
- Am Bodach Bochd – Staffin Primary School
- Fuirich air Falbh – Sgoil a’ Bhac
Sgeulachd (Best Story) (-18)
- Sgàthan – Rosa O’Halloran
- A Bheil Thu An Sin? – Lost Rollerskate Pictures
- Òran Eile Don Phrionnsa – Ardnamurchan High School
- Iain Isbean agus a’ Chaora Bheag – Tiree High School
- An Dà Shealladh – Breadalbane Academy
- Dè Thachair? – Dunoon Grammar School
The Inspiration Award (-18)
- Ar Sgoil, Ar Sealladh – Kinlochbervie High School
- An Dà Shealladh – Breadalbane Academy
- Ar Sealladh aig Àrd-sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa – Thurso High School
- An Dam – Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, Isle of Man
- An Tàillear Paraisteach – Whycocomagh Education Centre, Nova Scotia
- Sealladh na Seachdain – Inverness Royal Academy
18+
Best Film (18+)
- Sealladh mo Sheanair – Kayleigh Bell
- An Tiodhlaiceadh – Tormod MacLeod
- Brògan – Niamh Blane
- Blàr nan Gàidheal – FC Sonas
Best Performance (18+)
- Cara Turner & Kirsty MacBain – Barabal
- Evie Waddell – Fios no Fois
- Dougie MacPhee – An Leabhar Prìseil
- Coinneach Smith – An Tiodhlaiceadh
- Blythe Wilson – Blythe aguas Dyslexia
- Niamh Blane – Brògan
Community Award (18+)
- Blàr nan Gàidheal – FC Sonas
- Còisir – Mgr M! – Rachel Urquhart
- Màthair Giuthais – Lateral North & Ali Berardelli
- Ar Coimhearsnachd, Ar Beachdan – Galson Estate Trust
Best Production Design (18+)
- Rach Air Chuairt Cuimhne – Elizabeth Turner
- Blàr nan Gàidheal – FC Sonas
- Seall agus Innis – Jude Sampson
- Briseadh – Eilidh Johnson
The Technical Excellence Award (18+)
- Keri Johnson – Peas Ealain
- Tormod MacLeod – An Tiodhlaiceadh
- Allan Crook – A’ Gabhail Ris
- Magnus Graham – Blàr nan Gàidheal
- Rachel Urquhart – Còisir – Mgr M!
- Ross Young – A’ Sreap Corran Tuathail
The Inspiration Award (18+)
- Seòladh-Tillidh – Lucy Evans
- Gael ann an Glaschu – Finlay Olley
- Campachadh – Luca Kerr
- Mise, Taibhse, agus Cànain Eile – Shauna MacKay
- Na Gàidheal Dubha – Colette Thomas
- Ar Slighe – An Clas Camelon