Voting is now open for this year’s entries into FilmG Gaelic Short Film Competition
There were a record-breaking number of entries for this year’s Gaelic Short Film Competition, FilmG, and they are all available now to watch online.
A massive 103 entries were submitted in total, including 23 films to the open category, 75 films made by young people aged 5-18, and five scripts.
The competition is now well-established in schools and with Gaelic speakers and filmmakers across the country.
Voting for The People’s Choice Award is open until the end of January.
Shortlists chosen by a panel of media professionals will be announced in January and their winners will be unveiled at the Awards Ceremony on 14 February 2020.
Each year, FilmG encourages aspiring filmmakers to show off their talent and creativity. This year filmmakers were tasked with making films relating to the theme “Treòraich,” which means guide or lead.
Eilidh Rankin, FilmG Project Manager, said: “It’s been a joy to go through this year’s entries. We are delighted to see numbers growing year on year – a sign that the competition is increasing in popularity.
“It’s also really exciting to see such a breadth of topics and genres being covered, and the overall quality of the films is so high.
“It’s great to see familiar faces returning to our screens, as well as new talent coming to the fore.”
Project Funders MG ALBA were also delighted at the standard of entries, and Communications Manager, Murdo MacSween, said:
“It’s great that FilmG continues to grow and it’s really inspiring to see funny, dramatic, fascinating content made in Gaelic with such enthusiasm!
“FilmG is a fantastic route to get noticed and to lay a marker for the future and as an industry it’s encouraging to see so many come through FilmG to a career in Gaelic media.”
Many Glasgow and Edinburgh based filmmakers took part including industry entrant, Glasgow-based freelance filmmaker Hamish MacLeod.
His documentary film Aig an Oir (The Edge) follows Lochalsh-born climber Kenny Rankin as he takes on a renowned route in Ayrshire, and ex-pupil of Greenfaulds High School in Cumbernauld, filmmaking student Tommy Hammond’s documentary film, celebrates the work of two influential Gaelic teachers in his old school.
Primary schools in the area showed an interest as well, with Condorrat in Cumbernauld and Mount Cameron (East Kilbride) primaries taking part and Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghleann Dail on Glasgow’s South Side who have had a film club running in order to make their film An Coidse (The Coach).
Edinburgh entrants have also been creative across the youth and open categories, with Queen Margaret University student Cara Turner exploring a world where guidance on all of life’s issues comes at the touch of a button in her drama film, EFFY. While Napier student Joseph Flower’s film Sgiùradh (Scrubbing), follows a washing woman who has secret powers, as she quietly solves problems for her neighbours.
Pupils at James Gillespie’s High School, also in Edinburgh, made a film as part of the FilmG Workshops process, and two independent entries including a comedy based at a tea-making championship.
In the Highlands and Islands, comedy was popular this year. Kilmuir Drama Club in north Skye adapted a stage play for screen in Bùth nan Èisg (The Fish Market) which follows a cheekily-named proprietor, and a variety of weird and wonderful staff and customers as they go about their business.
Advanced Higher S2 pupils at Stornoway’s Nicolson Institute made a film called Holiday Inn-tinneach which sees holidaymakers arrive at Lewis’ answer to Fawlty Towers, while Gaelic learners in Culloden Academy in Inverness made a film about an old man who comes up with an innovative solution to a shortage of black pudding.
Some of the high schools have taken a supernatural or historical slant on the theme, including Ardnamurchan High School (near Fort William) where fluent speakers made a sci-fi film Reòite! (Frozen) which sees science whizz John invent a machine that can stop time, only for it to land in the wrong hands.
Dingwall Academy, Inverness, created a drama film with influential characters from Scotland’s past while Citadel High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada, took part for the first time with a film based on a traditional Cape Breton tale.
The newly-introduced award for Best Documentary in the youth category has been popular too.
Fluent speakers at Castlebay High School (Isle of Barra) made a film Tìr a’ Gheallaidh (Land of Promise) which tells the little-known story of the Annie Jane, a ship which was wrecked off the coast of Vatersay in 1853 with 450 passengers, mostly emigrants, on board.
Independent filmmakers have explored a variety of topics within the documentary genre, as well as making drama, comedy, and animation-based films.
Visit www.filmg.co.uk to see this year’s entries.
‘Peatlemania’ will be in full flow this New Year on BBC ALBA with the popular band Peat & Diesel appearing as one of the headline acts on the channel’s Hogmanay Ceilidh programme, which will broadcast live from Motherwell.
The Stornoway-based band have taken the Highland music scene by storm this year after they went viral on facebook with their Hebridean themed songs and won the award for best Live Act at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2019.
Peat & Diesel sold out their upcoming Barrowlands gig in January within hours, leading to a second date announced at the iconic Glasgow venue, as well as their 2020 UK and Ireland tours. A huge feat considering their grassroots origins playing in kitchens, barns and pubs on the Isle of Lewis just last year.
Cèilidh Na Bliadhn’ Ùire 2019 will be broadcast live from Motherwell Concert Hall in Lanarkshire, and hosted by popular BBC ALBA stalwarts Cathy Macdonald and Niall Iain Macdonald.
Motherwell’s name originates from an ancient water source in the area, ‘Tobar na Màthar’, which translated from Gaelic means the ‘Mother’s Well’.
Lanarkshire has strong links with Gaelic, including Gaelic-medium education provision from nursery all the way to secondary and the Cumbernauld Gaelic Choir is a regular winner at the Royal National Mod.
This year’s Hogmanay programme offers an array of stunning Gaelic singers and musicians providing ceilidh craic to take viewers and listeners through the bells and into 2020.
Also performing live on the night is Mànran, who celebrate 10 years together in 2020 and will be joined by singer – Kim Carnie in her first TV appearance as part of the band.
Other acts include the Glenfinnan Ceilidh Band, renowned Gaelic singer Margaret Stewart and Scotland’s first ever entry to a Eurovision content, the Alba Choir, conducted by BBC Weather presenter Joy Dunlop.
Hosts Cathy and Niall Iain are popular in Scottish broadcasting. Cathy presents the Royal National Mod coverage and hosts her own radio shows whilst Niall Iain this year presented live from the TRNSMT festival on BBC ALBA and live from Belladrum festival on both BBC ALBA and BBC Scotland on the same nights!
Niall Iain Macdonald said: “We are really looking forward to raising a glass at the bells with the BBC ALBA viewers and Radio nan Gàidheal listeners and bringing in the New Year in style.
“Cathy and I love being in amongst it all and it’s hard not to forget that we are there to work and just join in the dancing with everyone else.
“It’s going to be a great night in Motherwell and we can’t wait to get the ceilidh going.
“Tune in live to the ceilidh and raise a glass with us at the bells as we bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the New Year.”
Cèilidh Na Bliadhn’ Ùire 2019 airs on BBC ALBA on Tuesday, December 31 from 11.30pm to 1.30am, on Radio nan Gàidheal and is available on BBC iPlayer and worldwide via bbc.co.uk/alba
A new documentary by BBC ALBA pays tribute to the remarkable life and achievements of the hugely influential environmental campaigner Colin MacLeod, the Birdman of Pollok.
In the 90s, Glasgow didn’t have a Greta Thunberg, they had Colin MacLeod.
Colin grew up in Pollok where gangs, drink and drugs were part of life but he was also a Glasgow Gael and used his own Gaelic heritage as a foundation and set up the Pollok Free State in an area of Pollok Country Park to try to give a voice back to the people.
The programme includes previously unseen archive photos and video footage, kindly loaned by his wife Gehan and closest friends.
The story beings with his protest in the early 90s when he spent nine days up a tree in Pollok Country Estate to protect land that was going to be bulldozed to make way for an extension of the M77 motorway.
Pollok Country Park had been gifted to the people of Glasgow and Colin viewed it as a playground for the poor children of Pollok, a place to escape.
When it was under threat, children walked out of school on strike, protesters blocked roads, tens of thousands marched against the environmental impact of the plans for the new motorway.
Alastair MacIntosh, friend of Colin MacLeod, said:
“He was a chieftain in the true ancient sense. He broke his heart fighting poverty in Glasgow.”
This fascinating documentary features exclusive new interviews with Colin’s father Donald, his friend and fellow activist Barbara NicGriogair, his wife Gehan, friend and environmental campaigner Alastair MacIntosh, former MSP Rosie Kane McGarvey and her nephew, the author of Orwell Prize Winning book ‘Poverty Safari’ Darren ‘Loki’ McGarvey, who dedicated a whole chapter to Colin and his work in his book.
Darren McGarvey spoke highly of Colin in the programme, he said:
“He was magnetic. He had those qualities that a true leader has.”
Alan Torrance, who met Colin during the beginnings of the GalGael and still works there today, said: “He was a very brave man. He stood in defiance of tyranny. He led from the front.”
The M77 was extended anyway, but Colin went on to found GalGael ‘the free child of Pollok Park’, a Gaelic-inspired movement for cultural renewal in inner-city Glasgow.
When Colin died aged 39 in 2005, the streets of Govan stopped, with 600 mourners behind his handmade coffin.
Filmmaker Nina Torrance said:
“There is so much happening today that parallels what Colin was fighting against that it felt we needed to hear his story today more than ever.”
The music was composed by John Cummings (formerly of Mogwai).
The Birdman of Pollok/ Curaidh na Coille airs on BBC ALBA on Monday 30th December at 9pm and will also be available on the BBC iPlayer.
MG ALBA is delighted that Ofcom has today announced four appointments to its board.vLisa Annette, Rhoda MacDonald and Iain MacMillan will take up their roles on 1 January 2020 and Ceit-Anna MacLeod will join the Board on 1 May 2020. All four have been appointed for terms of four years.
Ofcom’s announcement contains new member biographies.
MG ALBA’s chariman Allan MacDonald welcomed the news:
“I am delighted to welcome these four very talented individuals to join the MG ALBA Board beginning in the New Year. As a team we will have very significant challenges to overcome in the next five years, including funding, technology, and distribution amongst other broadcasting hurdles.
“It’s a time of great challenge and change as we approach one hundred years of Gaelic broadcasting in 2023, and it is our job to ensure high quality multi-platform content distribution in collaboration with our BBC partners.
“Let us be clear that the expectations of our young people have never been higher.
“Our new board colleagues will help us in pursuit of the answers we believe are needed to the mounting challenges and risks that Gaelic media faces. They – like all of us – have a big part to play”.
BBC ALBA has announced its Christmas and New Year schedule, offering a fantastic line-up of programmes from home and around the globe.
The Kitchen Coves are back to take on a Christmas Feast challenge in Seòid a’ Christmas. Roddy Angus and Uisdean cook all the things you’d want from a classic Christmas dinner, but with their own Highland twist on some of the courses – especially the Yule Log!
Iain MacKinnon presents a special Christmas celebration of carols and readings with Alleluia na Nollaige, with performances from Alasdair Whyte, Mischa MacPherson and the specially formed choral group Caireall.
Choirs galore feature in Eurovision Choir Gothenburg 2019 which charts the story of the Alba Choir who made their debut at the Eurovision Choir competition this year in Gothenburg.
Cathy McDonald reveals the forces that shaped the very different lives of two sons of the Hebrides in a compelling historical documentary Macleod MP/Maclean KGB. This tells the story of a Soviet Spy Donald MacLean and Tory Cabinet Minister Iain Macleod. Born in 1913, they both went to Cambridge University and in their own ways tried to change the world.
A fascinating mini-series of three programmes Sgoil nan Sagart/Priest School follows Ronald Campbell from Benbecula who becomes the first Catholic priest to be ordained there. Solus productions gained unprecedented access to the Vatican City, St Peter’s Basilica and the Apostolic Palace.
The award-winning, young humanitarian Gemma Steele makes a very special trip to her second home Kenya, in Am Pòsadh Afraganach/The African Wedding. On this visit she is accompanied by family and friends and her husband Shaun as they celebrate their marriage with her ‘other family’ at St Jerome’s orphanage.
BBC ALBA meets three Scottish dancers in Paris at the Moulin Rouge as the world-famous cabaret celebrates its 130th birthday. Moulin Rouge Écosse is a colourful and lively documentary about these young Scots who are living their dancing dream. Feathers, sequins, glitz and glamour presented by Cathy Bhàn – this show has it all.
Curaidh na Coille/Birdman of Pollok pays tribute to the remarkable life and achievements of the environmental campaigner Colin MacLeod. This programme follows his protest in the early 90s when he spent nine days up a tree in Pollok Country Estate to protect land that was going to be bulldozed to make way for an extension of the M77 motorway.
A heart-warming family documentary Sgeulachd Syd Agus Millie/Two Go to Tolsta tells the story of brother and sister Millie and Syd’s story. As young children in 1949 they ran away from their home in Hertfordshire and travelled over two days by train, bus and boat to the Outer Hebrides, with no money and no adult supervision to arrive at their granny’s house in the village of North Tolsta without having been stopped or challenged once. Their story hit the headlines at the time and now 70 years on Millie and Syd reminisce about their experience.
The hugely popular and award-winning sketch show FUNC returns for a special Hogmanay edition, starring some very special guest stars and a mix of the surreal, satirical and downright silly.
And it’s all back to ours for BBC ALBA’s fabulous Hogmanay Ceilidh live from Motherwell Concert Hall, hosted by Cathy Macdonald and Niall Iain Macdonald. With Peat & Diesel, Mànran, Alba Choir, Margaret Stewart and the Glenfinnan Ceilidh Band, viewers are sure to be entertained through the bells and into the new decade!
And it doesn’t stop there. On New Year’s Day, BBC ALBA star Anne Lundon gets behind the wheel and travels Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way in a new 4 part series. Following on from driving the North Coast 500 in Scotland, Anne finds out just what draws people to this stunning Irish West Coast route.
One of Glasgow’s best-known hostelries, the Park Bar, is also featured on New Year’s Day, with a programme charting the history of the popular pub which is a hub for many local visiting islanders and Highlanders.
The following day, on the 2nd, BBC ALBA gets to know the family behind the world famous Ardbhan fold of Highland cattle reared in North Uist. The film follows a year with the Macdonalds and their herd of award-winning cattle.
January also sees the return of a few BBC ALBA favourites with crofting tales from An Lot, Farpaisean Chon Chaorach / Sheepdog Trials and we go out and about with Ramsay in Mach à Seo!
And plenty of festive fun for children thanks to a great line-up of programmes
BBC ALBA has revealed a seasonal stocking filled with goodies for children over the festive period thanks to a fantastic line-up of programmes with a real focus on original content for younger viewers.
There’s a selection of seasonal treats for the little ones on Christmas Day including the channel’s own enchanting animated versions of Julia Donaldson’s An Fhaochag agus a’ Mhuc-mhara/The Snail and the Whale and the global hit the Moomins, in Gleann na Mùmain.
Two world-class European Broadcasting Union (EBU) films, a children’s drama and a short documentary, will also air on Christmas Day.
Both programmes, made by Sorbier Productions from Glasgow, received funding from the new Young Audience Content Fund (YACF), which is managed by the British Film Institute (BFI).
Rùn / Private Pet is a quirky comedy drama about listening and learning, in which a mischievous deaf boy’s world is transformed thanks to a four-legged friend who becomes the “ears” he never had and Balach aig a’ Mhullach /Boy at the Top is a breath-taking documentary with stunning scenery charting a boy’s attempt to climb the equivalent height of Everest – mountain by mountain in Scotland.
These programmes will also be available on the BBC iPlayer from 9am on Christmas morning, perfect for when all the presents have been unwrapped!
And from this year’s bumper Royal National Mòd, there is a chance for families to see their young ones performing with unseen footage from October’s winners.
And if the kids can stay up late enough on Hogmanay, everyone’s favourite riotous band Peat & Diesel will be helping bring in the bells alongside BBC ALBA stars Cathy MacDonald and Niall Iain MacDonald.
Bill MacLeod, Commissioning Editor for BBC ALBA said:
“BBC ALBA showcases some of the very best children’s programmes in the world. Presented by a brilliant cast of wacky, young presenters in our CBeebies and CBBC studios we can guarantee a feast of fun for the festive season – easily accessible on both the BBC ALBA channel and iPlayer.”
Find more information about the festive programmes here
Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ùr bho BBC ALBA!
The winners of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards emerged last night (7th December) at Aberdeen Music Hall in a live-broadcast ceremony honouring the year’s most exceptional traditional musical talent.
Produced by Hands Up for Trad, the evening celebrated Scotland’s rich cultural heritage and flourishing folk scene. Hosted by world-renowned Gaelic singer, Mary Ann Kennedy and award-winning musician, Kim Carnie; guests enjoyed stellar live performances by trad music heroes’ including Skerryvore, Session A9, Benedict Morris, Heisk and Sian during the sold-out ceremony.
The biggest award, The Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Scottish Music in association with Showcase Scotland Expo supports the winner to progress unique ideas and empower creation. Financially matched only by the Mercury Prize, the prestigious fund of £25,000 was awarded to Kinnaris Quintet, making them the first all-female band to win the prize.
Breabach were presented with the Album of the Year Award for their sixth album, Frenzy of the Meeting.
Presenter on the night Mary Ann Kennedy scooped up Gaelic Singer of the Year sponsored by The Highland Society of London.
Adding to her list of Trad Award accolades Jenna Reid won Composer of the Year battling against an all-female shortlist. Jenna’s group Blazin’ Fiddles were also awarded Folk Band of the Year. In 2005 Jenna won best up and coming artist and two years later she was nominated for best instrumentalist.
Following ten consecutive sell outs, Tiree Music Festival picked up the award for Event of the Year. The popular and deserving winner has contributed £6.4 million to the small island economy.
Dubbed by Rolling Stone as ‘forward-thinking folk music’ Man of the Minch took home The Up and Coming Artist of The Year award, which recognises fresh and promising talent.
After a whirlwind year of wowing crowds at Belladrum and preparing to kick off 2020 with sold-out shows across the UK, trio PEAT & DIESEL picked up the award for Live Act of the Year.
Club of the Year went to Sutherland Sessions, a newly formed organisation who provide opportunities for young local musicians to play live music and bring local, national & international musicians to Sutherland.
The sought-after Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association went to Steve Byrne.
The evening was broadcast live on BBC ALBA and is repeated Sunday 8th December at 8.55pm with unseen footage shown on a special highlight show on 27th December at 9pm.
Event founder and promoter, Simon Thoumire, said: “It has been another fabulous year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Another great set of winners which include all the new Scots Trad Music Industry Award winners as well! Our scene is in good shape!”
Communications Manager for MG ALBA, Murdo MacSween, said: “It’s been another wonderful year for Scottish traditional music, and we’re delighted that MG ALBA was yet again at the heart of this celebration of our world-class talent. BBC ALBA is an amazing platform for the fantastic acts recognised tonight and we look forward to continuing to showcase them on our screens in the years to come.”
Alan Morrison, Head of Music, Creative Scotland said: “Yet again Na Trads prove that Scotland has an age-old music which lives and breathes in the 21st century. This year’s winners include grassroots heroes and international stars, acts who have blazed a trail for decades and others who are just starting out on a promising career. Congratulations to them all – and to every one of the nominees who make our music the envy of the world.
Congratulations too to Iain Ruari Finlayson, winner of the Youth Music Initiative’s Music Tutor of the Year award, whose work with Skye Youth Pipe Band takes Scotland’s most distinctive instrument to the next generation of players.”
Gordon Muir, Marketing Controller at Belhaven Brewery said: “We are thrilled to award this year’s Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Scottish Music to Kinnaris Quintet. Their musical range, innovative arrangements and vibrant stage presence stood out among an amazingly talented shortlist. Since coming together in 2017, Kinnaris Quintet have brought a fresh energy to the trad scene and we look forward to the Bursary helping them spring to the next level.
It has been inspiring once again to see the depth and breadth of innovation in the Scottish folk music scene, with an array of brilliant artists weaving in inspiration from all sorts of genres and cultures to create exciting new sounds.
Belhaven Brewery are proud of our links with this wonderful scene with which we see so much in common – inspired by our traditions and roots, which we use to spur our imagination to create new beers and new music that bring people together for great times. We are very excited about working with Kinnaris Quintet in 2020 and can’t wait to see where the journey takes us.”
Stuart Fleming, PRS for Music Senior Membership Manager, Scotland & Northern Ireland, said: “Congratulations to all of the nominees and worthy winners. It’s great to see such diverse talent recognised at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards which continue to showcase the incredible writing and creative talent within the Scottish traditional music community. PRS for Music is proud to once again support the Composer of the Year Award – especially this year with all the nominees being exciting female composers.”
The evening also included a number of exclusive recognitions including The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award Sponsored by Edinburgh Folk Club where Dr. Peter Cooke was praised.
The Services to Gaelic Award, Sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, was presented to Anne Soutar.
The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language Sponsored by Scots Radio was presented to Sheena Blackhall, well known for her poetry.
The evening continued through to the early hours with Ceilidh Minogue and The House of Song led by Doris Rougvie.
Full winners list is as follows:
Album of the Year sponsored by Birnam CD
Frenzy of the Meeting by Breabach
The Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Scottish Music in association with Showcase Scotland Expo
Kinnaris Quintet
Club of the Year sponsored by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland
Sutherland Sessions
Composer of the Year sponsored by PRS for Music
Jenna Reid
Community Project of the Year sponsored by SKIPINNISH
SEALL Festival of Small Halls
Event of the Year sponsored by VisitScotland
Tiree Music Festival
Gaelic Singer of the Year sponsored by The Highland Society of London
Mary Ann Kennedy
Musician of the Year sponsored by The University of the Highlands and Islands
Jenn Butterworth
Live Act of the Year sponsored by Greentrax Recordings
Peat and Diesel
Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association
Steve Byrne
Scottish Dance Band of the Year sponsored by National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs
The Cruickshank Family Band
Scottish Folk Band of the Year sponsored by Threads of Sound
Blazin’ Fiddles
Scottish Pipe Band of the Year sponsored by Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust
Inverary and District Pipe Band
Trad Video of the Year Sponsored by Ceòlas Uibhist
Heroes by Tide Lines
Music Tutor of the Year sponsored by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative
Iain Ruari Finlayson, Skye Schools
Up and Coming Artist of the Year sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Man of the Minch
Venue of the Year Award sponsored by Musicians’ Union
An Tobar (Mull)
The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award Sponsored by Edinburgh Folk Club
Dr. Peter Cooke
Services to Gaelic Sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Anne Soutar
The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language Sponsored by Scots Radio
Sheena Blackhall
BBC ALBA this week hosted broadcasters from around the world as part of a European Broadcasting Union (EBU) event screening new children’s drama and documentaries.
The BBC, which operates BBC ALBA in partnership with MG ALBA, has been a long-time partner with the EBU, which brought the 11 different nations to the BBC in Glasgow.
Within the scheme, broadcasters are required to make 15-minute programmes all set to a common theme and which are directed specifically for ease of international versioning. The partners are then freely allowed to broadcast the other nations’ selection on their own platforms.
The drama programmes all followed the common theme of “Tell me a Secret”, whilst the documentary programmes were inspired by the phrase “I can do it”.
Broadcasters visited from Spain, Germany, Japan, Finland, Serbia, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Ireland.
MG ALBA’s Commissioning Editor, Bill MacLeod, chaired the proceedings over the two days. Bill said:
“It’s been great having our international partners here at our Glasgow base, exchanging ideas and perspectives. It’s a really creative forum that produces the very best international films for children, something which is hugely important for BBC ALBA and for children who want excellent Gaelic programming.
“Creating children’s content like this can be so universally relatable and appealing. Whether in Gaelic, German or Japanese, children will understand and appreciate the themes and messages in each of these stories.”
BBC ALBA have taken part in the drama scheme for the past three years and last year’s selection Buidheagain, by Sorbier Productions, won Best Children’s Programme at the RTS Scotland awards.
Rùn / Private Pet, this year’s Gaelic drama, is a quirky comedy about listening and learning, in which a mischievous deaf boy’s world is transformed thanks to a four-legged friend who becomes the “ears” he never had.
This year, BBC ALBA are newly entering the children’s documentary scheme with Balach aig a’ Mhullach / Boy at the Top, a breath-taking documentary charting a boy’s attempt to climb the equivalent of Everest – mountain by mountain!
Glasgow-based production company Sorbier Productions were successful with both these commissions and recently announced extra funding from the BFI’s Young Audience Content Fund.
Patsi MacKenzie, director of Sorbier Productions, said:
“Working with partners across Europe has been a hugely enriching experience as a producer as well as for Sorbier and our freelance colleagues. The whole process is collaborative throughout, and we’re thrilled to be at the heart of such a diverse, multi-lingual film scheme.”
Phillis Fermer, Executive Producer on the children’s documentary series of the EBU said:
“It was a fabulous year working with our colleagues from all around Europe and Japan on the documentaries and we’ve delivered 10 very strong yet different films. The protagonists of our documentaries are from different countries, cultures and social backgrounds, but what they all have in common is that they are children around the same age all facing their own personal challenges and fighting to manage them. The films are emotional and informative and show the audience in each broadcasting country that we are one world.”
Beryl Richards, Executive Producer on the children’s drama series of the EBU, said:
“It’s wonderful to see the coming together of different nationalities at our drama series meetings, and it makes me realise that we all speak and understand the same creative language. And with this shared understanding we make better and better films.
MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service, has today (Tuesday, 3rd December 2019) announced Iseabail Mactaggart as its Director of Multiplatform Content, as part of changes designed to further increase the organisation’s focus on delivering high impact content in a rapidly changing media environment, and to build on successful collaboration and innovations undertaken to date.
Iseabail Mactaggart was previously Director of Strategy and Partnership and leads the commissioning and strategic development of Gaelic content for BBC ALBA and its digital platforms, as well as on FilmG and LearnGaelic. The changes will also see the promotion of Fiona MacKenzie to the role of Assistant Commissioner, Digital. The objective of this new brief is to grow BBC ALBA’s short-form content provision and social media engagement, building on the successful work of MG ALBA’s Digital Hub over the past two years. The changes are designed to ensure a multiplatform outlook informs all content decision-making.
Donald Campbell, MG ALBA Chief Executive said: “The new designations signify MG ALBA’s commitment to the development and growth of Gaelic media content in all its forms. The successes already enjoyed by Iseabail, Fiona and colleagues, alongside the BBC ALBA creative community, will be built on – including BBC ALBA’s historically high appreciation levels, record number of awards and fast-growing digital media viewership. This year also saw MG ALBA enter into its highest ever levels of international collaborations, delivering significant value to Gaelic audiences – an achievement the MG ALBA team will seek to grow further.
“These new roles will ensure MG ALBA is positioned to stake the place of Gaelic media in a fast-changing media environment as best we can, to take full advantage of the opportunities to collaborate and to innovate, and to face the future with confidence.”
BBC ALBA has today (29th November) announced a collaboration with Korean partners to co-produce a new series of documentaries.
MG ALBA, which operates BBC ALBA in partnership with the BBC, signed a memorandum of agreement in Amsterdam with broadcasters and producers from four different countries – including JTV (Jeonju Television).
Irish broadcaster TG4 and Welsh production company Cwmni Da completed the line-up for the international co-production, currently titled Rain Stories.
Rain Stories will be co-produced with Stornoway based producer MacTV and Belfast based producer Below the Radar, with production planned for spring 2020 and broadcast on BBC ALBA in 2021.
The announcement demonstrates MG ALBA’s strategic commitment to international co-production partnerships for the creation of distinctive, world class content.
This approach has already delivered success. Previous co-production An Làn / Tide secured BBC ALBA’s first Chinese awards recognition with a Silver Dragon prize at the China International Conference of Science and Education Producers (CICSEP) in October.
The series, which aired on BBC ALBA earlier this year, showcased the strength and impact of tides and was made in partnership with S4C, TG4, BBC NI, LiC China, Skyvision and MG ALBA with the production companies MacTV and Cwmni Da filming across Europe, Canada and China as well as in Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Another BBC ALBA international project, Power of Yoik recently won a Documentary Film Prize at the Nordische Filmtage awards, in Lübeck, Germany. Initially produced in Gaelic by TrixPix Media in South Uist, the international version has been screened around the world.
Margaret Cameron, MG ALBA Channel Editor, said:
“International co-productions are vital for BBC ALBA and showcasing content from Gaelic communities alongside Chinese, Canadian and European stories confirms the universality of our broadcasting. Agreements like this bring huge investment to the world of BBC ALBA both in terms of content but also for our independent production sector.”
Seumas Mactaggart, Head of Production & Development at MacTV said
“We are delighted to see An Làn / Tide being recognised with an international award. This is one of a number of international co-productions we’ve been involved in over recent years, and we’ve embraced the opportunity to connect with other ambitious companies in Northern Ireland, Wales, Ireland, Canada and Iceland.
“As storytellers, we are creating programmes that can resonate with people the world over, and it’s important that with support from MG ALBA, that we are able to get our stories to the international market.”
Filmmaker Beatrix Wood said:
“Finding ways to tell a story so that it resonates for both a local and an international audience is at the heart of what TrixPixMedia does. The different versions of “Power of Yoik” enabled the film to honour the Gaelic audience and reach different audiences worldwide. The film will be screened at Anchorage International Film Festival in Alaska in December.”
BBC ALBA is one of six UK broadcasters to reveal it has secured funding from the new Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), which is managed by the BFI and made possible with up to £57m Government funding.
Funding is in place for two live action specials for 8-11 year-olds in Scottish Gaelic, helping to ensure this key cultural community is celebrated in young people’s programming and young Gaelic-speaking children are reflected on screen.
This comes as the YACF announces its first slate of production and development awards, indicating the significant positive impact it is having on the sector. In just six months, the Fund is co-funding a mix of nine series and specials, across six broadcasters: Channel 5, ITV, BBC ALBA, S4C, TG4 and Sky.
This exciting initial slate embraces all techniques, genres and audiences, from factual entertainment for preschoolers to gripping drama for teens. It is also contributing to the Fund’s 5% target for indigenous language content.
Sorbier Productions will make two programmes for BBC ALBA:
Additionally, Paper Owl Films Ltd will make SOL, a co-commission from BBC ALBA, S4C and TG4:
The wider slate includes: factual live action shows Meet the Experts (Channel 5’s Milkshake!) and How! (CITV), plus FYI News Specials (Fresh News TV, Sky News, Sky Kids), alongside live action dramas, Person/A (S4C) and Y Gyfrinach/The Secret (S4C). Also funded are preschool mixed media drama such as Mimi’s World (Channel 5’s Milkshake!).
BBC ALBA – which is operated by MG ALBA in partnership with the BBC – is benefiting from an increasingly innovative approach to funding new content.
Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan said:
“I am delighted with the positive impact of the Young Audiences Content Fund in its first six months. We need to continue to produce home-grown and original content that inspires our younger generation and is representative of the world they live in.
“It’s fantastic to see the Fund is helping really creative and inspiring projects happen and I encourage broadcasters to continue in their positive engagement with it.”
Jackie Edwards, Head of the Young Audiences Content Fund, said:
“We have been thrilled by the quality of the applications, but it is the commitment and level of partnership from the Broadcasters that is helping ensure the positive impact of the Fund. By them seizing the opportunities the Fund offers, and opening up their schedules and their budgets, we are bringing brilliant new content to children and young people. I am truly excited by what we can achieve together, and having awarded almost £3.8m in the first months of the Fund, I am confident we can do so much more!”
Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at MG ALBA, which operates BBC ALBA in partnership with the BBC said:
“We’re delighted that BBC ALBA and Gaelic-speaking children have been able to benefit from the Young Audiences Content Fund. The specific funding for non-English UK languages like Gaelic and Welsh is hugely supportive and it’s inspiring that one of our suppliers has been so successful during the early stages of the fund. Sorbier has been creating award-winning children’s programming for a number of years and access to UK and international funds are what brings these projects to fruition. Gaelic medium education is growing in Scotland and having live-action children’s programming like this is vital for those children, their families and the education system.”
YACF has also made 15 Development Awards for a number of ambitious projects signalling this is just a taste of things to come from UK talent working in this space. The YACF was devised to reinvigorate the sector and is set to be a game changer in the creation of high-quality new original programming for children and young people on free-to-access, Ofcom regulated services.
Addressing a historic lack of investment in content creation for this age group, the Fund is backing projects that entertain, inform and reflect young audiences’ experiences of growing up across the UK today, driving plurality in the sector by stimulating public service broadcasters to invest into this content for young audiences.
Since the Fund launched in April 2019, it has been embraced by the UK production community, with over 120 applications and counting. Enthusiasm from producers and broadcasters alike has led to greenlighting these initial nine shows, and signals a very positive start to the three-year pilot.
The slate is successfully responding to the areas of concern outlined by Ofcom’s Children’s Content Review, with the majority of awards going to programmes specifically made for older children, content to help young people understand the world around them and a chance to see their UK children’s lives, in all its diversity, reflected on screen.
To find out more about the Young Audiences Content Fund, please visit: www.bfi.org.uk/yacf
