Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, 6 February 2009

FilmG Awards 2008

FOLLOWING the launch of the Galeic television channel BBC Alba in September last year, FilmG is an exciting new initiative by MG Alba to draw out new talent and provide workshop, mentoring and other training opportunities for the next generation of writers, directors, producers and performers in the Gaelic language.

Supported by Cànan and HIE, the FilmG Gaelic Short Film Competition attracted over 50 entries in its inaugural year in a wide range of genres, including animation, drama and documentary. Compered by Fiona MacKenzie and Calum MacAuley and introduced by Alasdair Morrison, Donald Campbell (Chairman of MG Alba and Chief Executive of MG Alba) and Linda Fabiani MSP, the evening celebrated emerging talent and potential within the Gaelic Arts in Scotland.

The awards categories included the Professional Award for Best Film, the Young People’s Awards for Best Production, Most Original Idea, Best Script, Best Performance and Best Film, five New Faces/New Voices Awards, the People’s Choice award based on online voting and the New Entrant Awards for Best Technical Production, Best Performance, Best Script, Best Documentary, Best Screenplay and Best Film. It was encouraging to see active participation from High Schools in the Highlands and Islands region with many enthusiastically taking their first step into film and digital media.

With filmmaking equipment becoming more compact and affordable and the internet able to broadcast independent productions, the possibilities for reaching a global audience and raising awareness about Gaelic language and culture have greatly expanded in recent years. It is hoped that access to BBC Alba on Freeview will also soon become a reality and further increase access to Gaelic television broadcasting.

Some of the prizes included options of awards such as production of a broadcast pilot project up to £25,000 for Best Filmmaker in the Professional category or working with a production company to develop an idea up to £15,000 in the New Entrants Best Film category. In addition MG Alba also announced the introduction of a one year bursary for television screenwriting to support and nurture new talent.

Whilst most of the awards ceremony was bilingual it was a shame for Gaelic learners and non Gaelic speakers in the audience that screenings in particular were not subtitled. Although there is an English translation section on the FilmG website this centres mainly on introductory text and titles rather than extending to the films themselves.

It was frustrating that a film such as Oidhche Shathairne by Seonaid MacDonald, winner of Best Film in the New Entrant category, screened at the awards and clearly an intense dramatic monologue, could not reach a wider audience. Subtitles are the norm for most European language films and enable audiences to understand and appreciate experiences and perspectives outside their own.

Whilst I appreciate that post production subtitles might not be within individual project budgets, the FilmG competition has the potential to be a greater ambassador for the language and for the aspirations of filmmakers trying to reach a world cinema audience with the addition of subtitles, especially via the website where all of the films can be viewed.

Among the promising films in the New Entrants category and shortlisted for Best Script, Best Screenplay and Best Film was Àm/ Àite by Eric MacDonald. Use of black and white and high contrast shadow was particularly effective in the opening sequence in this charming story of love lost and rediscovered. Shortlisted in the New Entrant category for Best Documentary was Jim Hardie’s mesmerising flight over Islay Ah-uile mionaid den turas itealain as giorra – Every minute of the shortest flight.

The aerial perspective, spun in the round like an eye or globe, gave the feeling of the island beneath as a world or unique view unto itself, while sequences such as the textured surface of the ocean were beautifully abstracted. The sensitively composed soundtrack complimented the visual images of flight and it will be interesting to see future work by this and other shortlisted filmmakers in future competitions and festivals.

FilmG 2008 was a well produced and enjoyable awards ceremony with live performances by eclectic indie bands the INJUNS and guest presenters including Greg Hemphill, Don Coutts, Carole Sheridan and Margaret Cameron. There was a palpable feeling of excitement and optimism surrounding the competition which offers young Gaelic speakers an introduction to the industry. Encouraging a range of different creative perspectives and voices to emerge and enabling people to engage with the craft of filmmaking as the project grows and develops will certainly bode well for the future of Gaelic film and television.

© Georgina Coburn, 2009

Links

• FilmG