A new four-year deal for the production of drama content on BBC ALBA has been agreed, it has been announced today.
Funded by MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service – one of the partners behind BBC ALBA – the new contract with Young Films secures the future of the channel’s drama series, Bannan and marks a significant investment in drama for the channel.
Filmed on the Isle of Skye, and produced by The Inbetweeners’ Chris Young, 23 episodes of Bannan have been produced since 2014, with five of those due to be aired on BBC ALBA in the autumn. The success of Bannan has led to an international deal being signed for the series with DRG, one of the leading independent distributors of programmes in the world.
The new contract, running until 2021, will lead to at least 20 episodes being produced for the channel. The announcement was made prior to a screening of Bannan at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and coincided with the launch of MG ALBA’s annual report for 2016/17.
Maggie Cunningham, chair of MG ALBA, said: “The development of drama was a key milestone for BBC ALBA and since it was first broadcast in 2014, Bannan has proved popular with both our core Gaelic audience and non-Gaelic speakers alike.
“We’re pleased to announce a four-year deal with Young Films, which will provide longer-term certainty for Bannan’s ongoing development. In recent years we have awarded a number of multi-year volume deals to producers for other genres and seen resulting cost savings and collaborations which in turn has allowed more new programmes to be made. Whilst drama production comes at a significantly higher cost than other genres, MG ALBA believes longer-term planning for Bannan can bring similar benefits and also, that such strategic investment in drama enables us to create a strong creative foundation that benefits the future of Gaelic on screen, by strengthening the skills vital to telling our stories.”
Chris Young, of Young Films, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we are entering into this new four year deal for Bannan. My dream was always to create a popular and successful long-running Gaelic language drama that works for Gaelic, national and international audiences. Thanks to support from MG ALBA, Creative Scotland and Scottish Government as well as the outstanding contribution from everyone in the Bannan team, this has now become a reality.
“With this new deal we have a unique opportunity to take our storylines and characters in unexpected and exciting directions. It also gives us scope to develop our training programme on a more strategic basis, continuing our ambition to create a new generation of Scottish and Gaelic film and television talent. We hope to do this in partnership with MG ALBA and agencies such as Skills Development Scotland, Creative Scotland, BBC, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and others. We look forward to providing exciting new TV drama over the next four years from Bannan’s growing team of talented new writers, directors and performers.”
Launching MG ALBA’s annual report, Ms Cunningham added that many of the challenges that faced BBC ALBA were still present in the wake of the Charter renewal process, and that MG ALBA was still pressing the case for more new content.
Maggie Cunningham continued: “A key tenet of MG ALBA’s strategy is to encourage international co-productions from our producers. This has involved significant work with our independent producers and we are now starting to see this work come to fruition, with £950,000 of added value for the channel already coming from current long-term deals as a result of collaboration. A fine example of this is Port, a musical series presented by Julie Fowlis that has enjoyed significant acclaim from audiences in Scotland and Ireland. With the advent of the new BBC Scotland channel, we will explore opportunities that this may give us.
“Whilst we are determined to ensure every pound we spend works as hard as it can for the BBC ALBA audience, it must be acknowledged that there is a limit to what can be achieved with our current budget and that more investment in programming is required.
“The BBC Charter has now been agreed for the next 11 years and whilst our ask of 10 hours of original programming per week for the channel has not been met, we have had some assurance that there will be progress towards this target over the next few years. The BBC has committed to weekend news bulletins on BBC ALBA from Autumn 2018 and we will continue to work closely in partnership with the BBC to ensure that there is continued investment in the channel.
“Our future work will also be particularly important in engaging younger viewers, with our research showing that BBC ALBA is being challenged by new digital platforms in much the same way UK network channels are also experiencing. It is vital that we are equipped to provide a service to our younger demographic in a way that is accessible and engaging, and we will be bringing forward new initiatives to address this over the coming months and years.”
The national Gaelic film competition, FilmG is celebrating its tenth year, with some famous faces in the world of Gaelic broadcasting launching this year’s competition in Wester Ross.
Fiona MacKenzie, the face of BBC ALBA, and journalist and footballer Calum Ferguson were on hand with pupils from Gairloch High School yesterday (Thursday 22 June) to launch the tenth FilmG competition.
FilmG, MG ALBA’s Gaelic short film competition, was established in 2008 as a means of developing Gaelic filmmaking talent and encouraging grassroots Gaelic storytelling through film. Over this time a bank of more than 650 Gaelic short films has been created online and the competition has become a springboard for young people keen to carve out a career in Gaelic media. These youngsters include two Gaelic children’s TV presenters, Megan MacLennan and Kerry Anne MacLeod who were both shortlisted for their wonderful performances at the first ever FilmG awards ceremony and who now appear regularly on BBC ALBA.
As well as individual successes, schools across the country regularly participate in the competition and the benefits have been wide-reaching. Gairloch High school became the focal point of this year’s launch due its success the previous year, with pupils taking home a hoard of prizes, including ‘Best Mobile Short’, ‘Best Script’ and ‘Best Animation’.
Gaelic teacher Iain Cumming said:
“We’ve had a great afternoon here in Gairloch, with the whole school as well as members of the community attending the launch and celebrating the excellent films made by Gairloch High School pupils. Over the last few years we’ve learned a lot about film-making and it was great that all that effort paid off in FilmG 2017. We’re very much looking forward to getting involved again this year, in fact some of the pupils are already developing their ideas and beginning work on their scripts!”
As ever the FilmG competition kicked off by announcing the competition theme and unveiling the three images/posters that illustrate the theme and give entrants a starting point for their ideas.
This year the chosen theme is ‘Fìrinn’(truth) and Fiona MacKenzie and Calum Ferguson unveiled the three dramatic images, one of which was initially designed by Plockton High school pupil Lucy Small as part of the FilmG 10th Anniversary poster competition.
Having been at the helm of the project since its inception, Project Manager Floraidh Forrest is delighted the competition has reached this important milestone. “FilmG has been such an exciting project for me and our talented team at Cànan Graphic Studio to work on. Over the course of the last ten years we have seen dramatic developments in the way video content is created and distributed and I’m pleased that within the Gaelic media sector, FilmG has been at the forefront of these developments. FilmG continues to engage with young Gaelic speakers and encourages them to make their voices and unique stories heard in what is a very crowded cyberspace environment. Roll on the next ten years!”
As well as the main competition, this year sees the introduction of some ‘flash’ mini-competitions to help entrants prepare for the competition and generate a buzz throughout the year.
These include the ‘Summer Stop Motion’ competition, which is open children of all ages to make a one minute animation on any subject. The winner of last year’s ‘Youth Animation Award’, Gairloch High School pupil Ruairidh Alexander was on hand to encourage is peers to get involved, he said: “I started making animations about a year or two ago, and when I heard that there was a FilmG competition, I was very excited. My whole experience working with FilmG has been great, and it’s given me the confidence to keep going. This is my first animation using voice over, but I don’t think it will be my last!”
The ‘Summer Stop Motion’ competition is open until the 18 August and other flash competition will be announced throughout the year. The main competition is open until the 8 December 2017 and entrants are asked to make shorts up to five minutes in length in Gaelic. All films from previous years are available to watch online at www.filmg.co.uk. If you’d like to make a film and want to know more about the competition, please contact the team at fios@filmg.co.uk.
MG ALBA, Solus Productions and Sorbier Productions are searching for new acting talent for two dramas aimed at children and young people.
Solus Productions will be holding auditions in Skye, Benbecula, Glasgow and Stornoway between 19-24 June looking for two young male actors to take part in an international drama-documentary series Small Hands 2, produced by LOOKSFilms. The series will features stories based on letters and diaries from the WW2 interlaced with documentary and archive for transmission on BBC ALBA in 2018/19.
Jim Webster from Solus said “Solus are delighted to be involved in Small Hands 2 and we look forward to seeing what talent the auditions yield. Anyone unable to attend an audition can get in touch via our email address and we can look at submissions online”.
Sorbier Productions have also been busy in the last few weeks auditioning for a lead young female actor and young male supporting lead actor for a children’s drama that is also part of an international project operated through the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) aimed at children aged 6-9. The Gaelic film will be seen across Europe and beyond and in exchange children’s films from across Europe will be available for transmission on BBC ALBA in 2018.
Patsi MacKenzie from Sorbier added “It’s exciting to embark on production of an original Gaelic film for youngsters, within a European framework, where the cinematic legacy is so rich and inspiring. Sorbier aims to produce a highly crafted, stand-out story that will resonate beyond Scotland. We’re especially thrilled by the enthusiastic response we’ve had during the casting process, from primary aged Gaelic speakers interested in performance. Lots of fresh, young talent is coming to the fore”
Margaret Cameron, BBC ALBA, said “To have not one but two short drama productions with opportunities for young Gaelic actors is such a fantastic piece of news. We hope young performers come forward and help us put our Gaelic dramas on the map in Europe”.
Small Hands 2 is produced by LOOKSFilms with production support by Solus Productions. The EBU drama film is produced by Sorbier Productions.
Further details on auditions are available at mail@solusproductions.tv or 0141 353 2502.
COVETED MG ALBA TV WRITING SCHOLARSHIP ON OFFER
As part of MG ALBA’s strategy to provide training and support for Gaelic writers, the Gaelic Media Service (MG ALBA) is offering talented Gaelic writers the opportunity to apply for its coveted scholarship to study television fiction writing at Glasgow Caledonian University.
The MA Television Fiction Writing course is the only dedicated one year postgraduate programme of its type in the UK, providing aspiring screenwriters with the tools to embark upon or strengthen their career in television fiction writing, and MG ALBA are supporting a placement on the course for one Gaelic speaker. An option to undertake the course on a part-time basis over 2 years is also available.
The course is taught by a combination of leading TV scriptwriters and academic staff including course lecturer Professor Ann Marie Di Mambro whose credits include EastEnders, Casualty and River City, and Chris Dolan, author and playwright, whose credits include River City, Taggart and taking Inspector Rebus to radio for BBC Radio 4. Students on the course will work intensively on at least two drama series currently transmitting on British television, learning how to story conference, storyline, write scripts and edit these dramas.
Mairead Hamilton, a talented drama director, won the MG ALBA scholarship in 2016, also a talented drama director, we hear first-hand what Mairead thought of the course in this short video.
Seumas MacMillan was the MG ALBA scholar in 2015. He continues to write for BBC ALBA’s Gaelic drama Bannan, and has been successful in having a half-hour comedy pilot commissioned by BBC ALBA, currently being produced by Solus Productions.
Margaret Cameron, Channel Editor at BBC ALBA said: “We are ambitious for the development of Gaelic writing for television and the scholarship is one of our key means of ensuring we are developing strong, creative writers in Gaelic. This is an exciting opportunity and we look forward to receiving some great applications.”
The MG ALBA scholarship will be awarded to one person, fluent in Gaelic, who will join the programme in September 2017. Applications need to be submitted before Friday 5th May 2017.
For more information on the MA TV Fiction Writing programme and how to apply for an MG ALBA scholarship visit: www.tvfictionwriting.com or follow @MATVGlasgow on Twitter.
YOUNG ARDNAMURCHAN SPORTS COMMENTATOR AND FILMG WINNER GOES BEHIND THE SCENES AT LIVE GLASGOW WARRIORS MATCH
A budding sports commentator from Ardnamurchan joined the broadcasting team at a recent Glasgow Warriors home game following her prize-winning performance in FilmG 2017.
Kate Bradley, 16 shared the commentary box with the voice of PRO12 rugby, Hugh Dan MacLennan and Warriors’ player, Lee Jones at their sold-out match against Zebre at Scotstoun stadium on Friday (April 14) having scooped the award for Best Sports Commentary at the FilmG ceremony held in February.
Nearly 20 entries from schools across Scotland were submitted for this category and whilst judges Alex O’Henley and Derek ‘Pluto’ Murray were impressed by the high standard of all the entries, Kate’s confident, informative, and effortless coverage of the women’s shinty Valerie Fraser Cup Final at An Aird, Fort William bagged her the top spot.
A trip to Glasgow and access to the commentary box during a live BBC ALBA sports broadcast was the prize for Kate’s efforts and whilst the S5 pupil opted to cover women’s shinty for her entry to FilmG, as a keen rugby fan Kate was delighted to attend the match against Italian club Zebre.
The Warriors, kept Hugh Dan and player analyst Lee Jones on their toes with an action-packed performance where they beat the Italian side 45 to 10, creating an enthralling match commentate on.
For Kate, the experience was even better than she had imagined and she loved seeing the professionals at work: from camera-operators, to the sideline reporter, commentator and the rest of the team. Getting to watch the second half from the gantry was a real treat, which Kate shared with fans of Snapchat, of FilmG’s account, along with other snippets from the day.
Kate said: “I had such a great time at the game, the ground was buzzing. It was just amazing to see the whole production team in action – I had never realised the amount of work that goes into a live sports broadcast. My personal highlight was getting to see how everything was brought together – from the careful preparations beforehand to watching the game broadcast live on TV. It was very impressive – and the result was an added bonus!”
Margot McCuaig of mneTV was in charge of the broadcast on the day, and was hugely impressed with Kate’s enthusiasm, encouraging others to give the competition a go in 2018.
Margot said: “It was great to meet Kate and I hope she continues to show such a keen interest in commentary. She’s definitely one to watch out for. Who knows, we could even end up working alongside each other one day! I would encourage anyone with an interest in playing or watching sport to enter the competition this year and it may lead to a whole host of new and exciting opportunities.”
Budding commentators and filmmakers should keep a close eye on FilmG’s social media channels as well as filmg.co.uk, for news of the latest developments as the team prepares to launch the 10th FilmG competition.
MG ALBA ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT IN CREATIVE INDUSTRIES WITH KEY LONG-TERM PRODUCTION CONTRACTS
MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service which operates BBC ALBA in partnership with the BBC, has today announced key production contracts that will deliver a wide range of programming for the channel over the next four years.
Seven production companies will provide content for the channel including entertainment, music, children’s programmes, documentaries and sport.
The contracts have been awarded to companies located across Scotland, including Stornoway, Aberdeen and Glasgow, and mark a further significant investment in Scotland’s creative industries.
A three-year heads of agreement on sports production has been reached with Nemeton Scotland Ltd, a new company which has been established by the highly regarded Irish production company Nemeton TV. Nemeton TV has provided sports to Irish broadcaster TG4 since 1996, as well as to RTÉ, TV3 and Setanta Sports. In addition to sports production, Nemeton TV also produce factual programming in Ireland, including documentaries, health and entertainment programming. Its wholly-owned Scottish subsidiary will employ the staff of the outgoing BBC ALBA sports provider, mneTV.
Agreements have also been made in principle with the following companies:
The four-year model for these companies enables security of supply for the channel and also creates a stable foundation for growth for the companies, including through international co-productions and sales of programmes.
Donald Campbell, MG ALBA’s Chief Executive, said: “These decisions lay the foundations for the future development of BBC ALBA. The decision to work with Nemeton Scotland Ltd offers the potential of creating an exciting new international partnership. All of BBC ALBA’s content must be highly distinctive and this new relationship for sports content creates many opportunities for more collaboration with Ireland.
“We are delighted to strengthen our very close relationship with the creative industries and this will be very important as we continue to secure resources that will enable us to produce more original programming for the channel that is necessary for it to prosper in future.”
John Swinney, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, whose Education brief includes responsibility for Gaelic said: “‘I have been very impressed with the way MG ALBA works with Scotland’s independent TV production sector and it is fantastic to be able to welcome the signing of seven new contracts with Scottish firms.
“These agreements will not only ensure the continuation of quality output on BBC Alba, they will bring important economic and employment benefits for Scotland’s creative industries, broadcasting and Gaelic.
“I want to commend MG ALBA for their innovative way of working, congratulate the independent companies that have secured the contracts and look forward to the continued impressive performance of BBC ALBA.”
Irial Mac Murchú, Nemeton TV’s CEO said: “We are delighted to have won this contract. Producing sport for BBC ALBA in Scotland is an exciting challenge and one we relish. This new relationship cements many of the creative strands that resonate between Ireland and Scotland – language, sport and television. Whilst it is an international contract it feels like an extension of home to be working with our Celtic partners. We look forward to working with MG ALBA and BBC ALBA and developing the opportunities that lie ahead.”
GAELIC MEDIA APPRENTICESHIP OPENS FOR APPLICATIONS
Applications from aspiring media professionals are now being accepted for the next BBC Gaelic Apprenticeship programme.
Operated by BBC Scotland and Glasgow Kelvin College – and supported by MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service – the 2017/2018 course will be the second time the Gaelic apprenticeship has been offered alongside the BBC Scotland apprenticeship, which is about to enter its seventh programme.
The successful candidate will be supported by MG ALBA and will have the opportunity to work across Gaelic platforms such as BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
In doing so, the candidate will have the chance to gain experience in many of the departments providing content to the channel, including children’s, news-gathering, factual and sport.
With BBC ALBA also accounting for around 50% of the total programme making output from Scotland’s independent production sector, there will also be the opportunity for the apprentice to spend time working with a number of the channel’s independent programme suppliers.
The busy schedule will also see apprentices spending two days per month at Glasgow Kelvin College learning many of the technical and vocational skills they might require in the broadcast media industry, as well as personal development and core skills.
There will also be the opportunity for the apprentice to spend time on placement at the Creative Industries Media Centre in Stornoway – home of MG ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
Calum Ferguson has been undertaking the BBC Gaelic Apprenticeship since September, the first person to do so. Calum has gained a wealth of experience, spending placements with leading independent companies such as Bees Nees Media, as well as time within various BBC departments. In the near future, Calum has placements organised with BBC Sport and Sky Sports.
Calum said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on BBC Scotland’s Gaelic apprenticeship scheme. I have experienced an incredible range of opportunities in such a short period of time and I am looking forward to the rest of my time here. It is a unique chance for keen young Gaelic speakers and I couldn’t recommend it enough.”
In addition to the Gaelic apprenticeship, 10 BBC Scotland apprenticeships are also available and by September this year, 61 young people will have already completed this exciting apprenticeship over the previous six programmes. The apprenticeship has provided a springboard to careers in TV production and journalism, with some of the former young students going onto degrees in higher education and others moving onto further work at the BBC or other media production organisations.
Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Strategy and Partnership at MG ALBA, said: “This is our second year of supporting a Gaelic apprenticeship within the BBC Scotland apprenticeship programme and we are pleased once again to enable training for the next generation of media professionals.
“The apprenticeship provides an excellent route into the industry and the successful candidate will learn skills across a wide range of departments, helping to produce a well-rounded professional by the conclusion of the course.”
To apply for the apprenticeship, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/careers. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 18 April 2017.
INNOVATIVE GAELIC THEATRE AND FILM PROJECT DEBUTS AT GLASGOW SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
The première of a new Gaelic short film, Briseadh na Cloiche (The Breaking of the Stone), will take place at this month’s Glasgow Short Film Festival.
Filmed at Webster’s Theatre in Glasgow, where the play was performed as part of last year’s West End Festival, the production features Iain Macrae and Mairi Morrison, with music by Alex Neilson. It will be shown, with English subtitles, at the CCA Cinema in Glasgow on 17 March.
The Breaking of the Stone (Briseadh na Cloiche) is widely regarded as one of writer John Murray’s finest short stories and holds a central position in contemporary Gaelic literature. Adapted for stage and screen by actor Iain Macrae and directed and filmed by Duncan MacDonald, the production follows the progression of a post-war romance to its harrowing conclusion.
The dynamic blend of drama, dance and mime is heightened by a thrilling interactive percussion performance by Neilson.
The theatre and film project was commissioned by Gaelic arts organisation Ceòl’s Craic and funded by MG ALBA and Creative Scotland.
Project director Ishbel Murray said: “John Murray’s story is widely recognized as a seminal piece of contemporary Gaelic literature and we knew we could present the stage play successfully, but we also felt it had tremendous potential as a piece of filmed theatre.
“So, our aim here was to produce an original Gaelic film for a dedicated arts audience and to begin to address the absence of art house films featuring Gaelic language. The support of MG ALBA and Creative Scotland made this possible.”
Drama is viewed as a key element in the resurgence of Gaelic and is strongly supported by those who see it as an art form that puts the language at its forefront. Briseadh na Cloiche brings the best of Gaelic literature, drama and cinema together in one small but effective package.
Creative Scotland & Bòrd na Gàidhlig Gaelic Arts & Culture Officer, Brian Ó hEadhra added: “It is excellent to see this contemporary Gaelic work progress from the West End Festival to this year’s Glasgow Short Film Festival and ultimately to BBC ALBA in the future. This powerful work demonstrates that Gaelic drama is growing and reaching out to audiences via stage and screen. This is one of a number of Gaelic drama initiatives currently coming through and we look forward to seeing more quality productions over the coming years.”
BBC ALBA Channel Editor Margaret Cameron said: “Briseadh na Cloiche adds to the diversity of Gaelic drama available and I’m delighted it will have a small screen life on BBC ALBA in the future. I wish the film every success at the Glasgow Short Film Festival and welcome its inclusion in the GSFF programme.”
Briseadh na Cloiche (20 mins) will be screened, with English subtitles, on 17 March at 9pm in the CCA Cinema, Glasgow. It will be preceded by Away with the Land (13 mins), a lyrical documentary by Joya Berrow on the life of Harris crofter Donald John Macinnes, and followed by a Q&A session with Iain Macrae, Mairi Morrison and Duncan MacDonald, hosted by Gaelic broadcaster Derek MacKay. Guests are invited for a complementary drink at 8pm.
Briseadh na Cloiche will be broadcast on BBC ALBA later in the year.
MG ALBA LAUNCHES ITS COVETED CELTIC MEDIA FESTIVAL BURSARY SCHEME
Current and aspiring Gaelic media industry professionals are being offered the chance to apply for MG ALBA’s coveted bursary scheme, as it launches its Celtic Media Festival scholarship for 2017.
A total of five places at this year Celtic Media Festival are up for grabs for candidates demonstrating a keen interest in pursuing a career in Gaelic screen media, or for individuals who are at the beginning of their career either as a freelancer or with an independent production company producing Gaelic programmes for BBC ALBA.
This year, the Celtic Media Festival is taking place in Douglas on the Isle of Man from 3rd – 5th May. It is an annual three-day celebration acknowledging excellence in broadcasting and film talent throughout the Celtic countries of Scotland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany.
Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at MG ALBA, said: “The Celtic Media Festival is a key event, both for networking and for understanding the trends that affect how viewers are watching and using media content. Our bursary scheme has been extremely popular and is testament to the level of enthusiasm from young talented individuals seeking a career in Gaelic media to grasp every opportunity available.
“Our aim is to support and encourage the next generation of Gaelic media professionals, and to have the opportunity to learn from events such as this one will help in providing insight into the industry as well as offering an understanding of the importance of an international outlook for indigenous productions and channel content.”
Among the successful applicants last year were writer and script editor, Laura MacLennan and PhD ‘Television and Language Policy in Families’ student, Carrie MacNeil.
Reflecting on her attendance at the Celtic Media Festival last year, Laura said: “The bursary from MG ALBA was really helpful for my own professional development as I met many people who all work in different areas within the media, in all the Celtic corners. This was especially helpful when it came to attending drama sessions, hearing first-hand from experts who have been creating continuous drama in other Celtic areas and how they have not only established a voice on their own channels but internationally as well.
“The festival gave me a lot of encouragement in my own line of work and renewed vigour in creating more interesting and appealing content using our Gaelic identity. I now firmly believe there is a platform for our own stories to be told and that we should be rightly proud of them.”
Carrie, whose PhD research examines the role that children’s television has in the use of Gaelic in the home, said: “It’s a great scheme, which gives people the opportunity to network with those in the media sector, from Ireland and even to Norway! It’s important that those from the academic world see how the industry works from a practical stance, and that we observe and think about it from a wider perspective.
“At the festival, there were opportunities to ask experts questions and gain information regarding the context of other minority languages. It also gave me opportunities to speak with those who work at MG ALBA, which was very useful for my own research studies.”
MG ALBA is requesting a short two to four minute video in Gaelic to accompany all online applications, providing the opportunity for each applicant to showcase their skills, talent and creativity as well as outlining their desire to attend the festival.
MG ALBA are offering a full support package covering the entry fee, travel and accommodation. For more information and to apply, follow this link or contact kerryanne.macleod@mgalba.com. Deadline for applications is 10pm on Sunday 9th April. More information on the festival is available at www.celticmediafestival.co.uk.
TWELVE GAELIC NOMINATIONS AS CELTIC MEDIA FESTIVAL SHORTLIST PUBLISHED
A total of 12 Gaelic award nominations for BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal have been received in the 2017 Celtic Media Festival awards.
Among the BBC ALBA nominations were Hamish, a documentary film about the renowned Scottish cultural icon, Hamish Henderson, and Jimmy Johnstone, a film telling the life of the Celtic and Scotland footballing great a decade on from his death.
BBC Radio nan Gàidheal has been nominated for station of the year, whilst programmes including Mac ‘Ille Mhicheil and Spòrs na Seachdain are shortlisted for awards.
The Celtic Media Festival takes place from May 3 to May 5 this year and will be hosted by Douglas on the Isle on Man.
Donald Campbell, MG ALBA Chief Executive said: “Pitched against some fantastic productions from across the Celtic regions and nations, it is pleasing to once again see Gaelic media recognised at the forefront of the creative sector.
“The nominations for BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal programmes are just reward for both the imagination and effort that our sector professionals demonstrate on a consistent basis, and we look forward to the awards ceremony on the Isle of Man when we will hopefully see some of our programmes featured on the shortlists then going onto pick up awards.”
The BBC ALBA programmes which have been shortlisted in 2017 are:
Current Affairs
Eorpa Irish Babies (Produced by BBC Scotland Gaelic)
On 19th February 2015, the Irish Minister for Children announced the establishment of an independent enquiry into Mother and Baby Homes throughout Ireland in the 20th Century, with a three-year deadline and which would cost €21 million. Eòrpa reported on the alleged misconduct at 3 Mother and Baby Homes. The report focussed more on Tuam which spurred the Murphy Commission, after revelations of an alleged mass grave where supposedly 796 infants were buried between 1925 and 1961. Claims made that the homes had been at the centre of clinical drug trails, an illegal adoption ring and controversial disposal of infant’s bodies.
Factual Entertainment
Port (Produced by Bees Nees Media)
This landmark music series – part documentary; part travelogue; part spellbinding music performance – returns for a second series and continues to chart the musical landscapes of Ireland and Scotland. With two bona-fide tradition bearers leading the way, TG4 and BBC ALBA audiences accompany Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh to bustling urban centres and sleepy townships to record a cast of musicians, raconteurs and characters. The musicians respond with an explosion of music; ancient folk songs re-ignited; polkas married to jigs; ballads floated on snaking musical arrangements and all built on the adrenaline rush of improvisation.
Factual Series
An Lot (Produced by MACTV)
In this six part series a Lewis crofter tries to make a go of crofting full-time. The first lambs appear, and Donald MacSween or ‘Sweeny’ sells his first eggs. But there are some unwanted visitors in the hen house.
Single Documentary
Hamish (Produced by Bees Nees Media)
Documentary film about Hamish Henderson, a colossal figure in Scottish culture and a man of endless passion and curiosity, whose poems continue to elevate and inspire a nation. This documentary pays tribute to the many contrary forces and diverse facets of Henderson’s life as a poet, soldier, intellectual, activist, songwriter and leading force in the revival of Scottish folk music. From an English orphanage and the draughty corridors of Cambridge to overseeing the capitulation of the Italian army in WWII and penning the most celebrated Scottish ballad in contemporary folk music, Freedom Come Aa’ Ye, this is Henderson’s life as told by those who knew him best and loved him most.
Sports Documentary
Jimmy Johnstone (Produced by purpleTV)
A decade on from his death, Jimmy Johnstone examines the life of a phenomenal Scottish sporting talent, telling the story of the highs and the lows of an unforgettable working class footballer, Celtic legend, husband and father who lost his life to motor neurone disease age 61.
In addition to its nomination in the Radio Station of the Year category BBC Radio nan Gaidheal also has a number of programmes shortlisted across the 23 categories:
