FilmG 2020 short-lists revealed

Issued by FilmG

A fantastic array of films by talented filmmakers, schools and community groups from across Highland have made it into the shortlists for this year’s Gaelic short film competition - FilmG.

Judges had a tough job whittling down the impressive field of a record 103 entries, who were all competing for the top prizes.

Christine Morrison, a documentary producer with 25 years of experience was on this year’s Youth judging panel. She said: “It was a pleasure to watch the many original, inventive films made by talented young film-makers as a member of the FilmG 12 - 17 youth category judging panel.  Competition was tough as film-makers tackled a wide range of subject matter with verve and style.”

The shortlists showcase a wide variety of film styles, from time-travelling comedy and classic who-dunnits to bicycle travelogues, historical documentaries and commentary on social media and the Gaelic language itself.

This year’s theme for entries was “Treòraich”, meaning ‘guide, or lead’, and was interpreted by the filmmakers in a variety of clever, funny, serious and inspiring ways.

In the hotly-contested Youth category, which received a record 75 entries this year, Culloden Academy have been nominated for Best Film and also in the FilmG Award for Learners category for their black pudding comedy, ‘Eilean nam Muc’.

Millburn Academy has also been has been nominated for Best Documentary for their film, ‘Am Botal’, which takes a timely look at the effects of plastic and climate change on the environment.

Dingwall Academy has received a nomination in the Most Creative Production category for their entertaining historical woodland walk through time, ‘Treòraich tro Thìm’.

‘An Leigeadh’, by Nairn Academy, calls on us all to think about our actions and the effect they have on our planet, and has also been nominated in the Most Creative Production category.

Gairloch High School has received nominations for both their films. ‘A’ Chlach’, a creative re-telling of the story of the Stone of Destiny, has been nominated for Best Film, while murder-mystery, ‘Beul na h-Oidhche’, has been nominated in the FilmG International Representative category.

Also from Gairloch, individual filmmaker Anndra Cuimeanach has received two nominations - Best Documentary and the FilmG Award for Fluent Speakers - in the Youth category, for his two-wheeled travelogue, ‘Siubhal gu Sear’.

Two talented filmmakers from Inverness have received nominations for Best Young Filmmaker. Elissa Hunter Doran’s documentary, ‘Nar Cadal’, tells us about dreams and their significance, while Orla Johnson’s comedy “Barraigh am Peansail’ shows us what happened when a pencil took a trip around the class.

In the Open category, Dingwall’s Eilidh NicIain has picked up two nominations, for Best Mobile Short, and Best Performance, for her psychological thriller, ‘Smuaintean an Diabhail’.

And remaining in Dingwall, we see a glimpse into the life of Donald MacAskill and his involvement in maintaining Gaelic worship in the area in Eòghan Stiùbhart’s documentary ‘Treòraich: Seirbheis Ghàidhlig Inbhir Pheofhairean’. Eòghan’s film has been nominated in the Best Mobile Short category.

In the hotly-contested Youth category, which received a record 75 entries this year, Ardnamurchan High School in Lochaber received four separate nominations for their two highly entertaining films.

‘Reòite’, which involves time travelling using a whisk, has been nominated in both the Best Film and FilmG International Representative categories, while pupil Parker Dawes has received a Best Performance nomination.

‘An Cuach, Na h-Iuchraichean agus an Dròn’, produced by the Gaelic learners class, which also involves a bit of time travelling, this time with a quaich, has been nominated for the FilmG Award for Gaelic Learners.

Sgoil Lionacleit in Benbecula received three nominations for their ghostly drama, ‘An Cogar’, for Fluent Speakers and International Representative categories, with pupil Catriona MacLeod receiving a nomination for Best Performance.

Staffin School has received a nomination in the Best Youth Group Film category for their comedic take on a tourism infomercial, ‘Fàilte don Eilean’.

The shock finding of a body in Duirinish is the story within ‘An Corp’, by Plockton High School which has been shortlisted in the category for Most Creative Production

‘Na Lean Mi’, a powerful film on the effects of bullying, by Mallaig High School, has been nominated for the FilmG Award for Fluent Speakers.

Luke Eveling, a pupil at Portree High School, has been nominated in the Best Performance category for his portrayal of a teacher with an interesting take on guidance, in their film ‘A’ Ghaoth air ar Cùl’.

Gairloch High School has received nominations for both their films in this year’s competition. ‘A’ Chlach’, a creative re-telling of the story of the Stone of Destiny, has been nominated for Best Film, while murder-mystery, ‘Beul na h-Oidhche’, has been nominated in the FilmG International Representative category.

Also from Gairloch, individual filmmaker Anndra Cuimeanach has received two nominations in the Youth category for his two-wheeled travelogue, ‘Siubhal gu Sear’. He has been nominated for Best Documentary and also for the FilmG Award for Fluent Speakers.

Another talented young filmmaker, Annie Sìne NicNìll from Fort William, has been nominated in the Most Creative Production and Best Young Filmmaker categories for her powerful animation, ‘Tarraing’, about a young boy going off to war.

In the Open category, eight filmmakers picked up at least two nominations each.

Filmmaker Shona Masson from Portree, has been nominated across three categories for her film 'Ise’, a psychological thriller that scoops a spot in the Best Industry Director, Best Film and Best Script categories.

The prize for the Best Film in the Open category is a highly coveted award which is supported by the Highland Council. The award has encouraged residents of the Gàidhealtachd to put all of their creative talent into the competition.

Also from Portree, Cara Turner’s film ‘Effy’ looks at how we might cope if technology made all our decisions for us. Cara’s film has been shortlisted in two categories; Best Student Film and HIE’s Most Promising Director.

Another nomination for HIE’s Most Promising Director has gone to Mara Drysdale of Lochcarron, for her shinty documentary, ‘Gualainn ri Gualainn.’

Students on the Television Course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college in Skye, have been shortlisted in the Film Dùthchais as Fheàrr category, for their documentary, ‘Bean na Croite’, about local Tarskavaig crofter, Flora MacLean.

A nomination for Best Performance has gone to Seonag NicChoinnich for her performance in Buidhean Dràma Chille Mhoire’s comedy, ‘Buth nan Èisg’.

FilmG Project Officer, Ross Christie, said, “It’s encouraging to see entrants from every part of the Gaelic community - from primary and secondary schools, to students, professionals in the industry and amteaur filmmakers of all ages. It’s clear that every one of them has a story they want to tell, and FilmG provides the perfect medium for this, and brings the work of Gaelic creatives to the fore.”

Murdo MacSween, Communications Manager for MG ALBA, said, “FilmG is an integral part of the Gaelic media environment, sparking creativity and developing talent to the extent where the next step could be employment and a career working in the sector. The quality of the films has been outstanding this year and it will be an exciting awards ceremony.”

All the short lists are available to view on the FilmG website, and voting for the People’s Choice Award is still open until the 31st of January.  All the winners will be announced at the annual FilmG Awards Ceremony, to be held in the iconic Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow on 14th February.

FilmG is the Gaelic short film competition, funded by MG ALBA and delivered by Cànan Graphics Studio on the Isle of Skye.

For more information visit, www.filmg.co.uk