Edinburgh, 21 August 2025 – MG ALBA has announced its involvement in Screen Scotland’s landmark Take Three talent development initiative, confirming funding for two Gaelic short films as part of the scheme.

The announcement was made today at the Edinburgh TV Festival, where MG ALBA sponsored and contributed to the prestigious panel session Language as Power: Local Languages Go Global. The session brought together leading voices from across the screen industries to discuss how Gaelic and Irish media are breaking through to mainstream audiences.

Gaelic Short Films through Take Three

Take Three, launched earlier this year by Screen Scotland and supported by the National Lottery and BFI, is Scotland’s most ambitious film talent development programme in a generation. MG ALBA’s backing will see two Gaelic short films produced under the scheme, providing vital opportunities for emerging Gaelic voices and building on the growing success of Gaelic-language screen content.

Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland said:

“Screen Scotland’s Talent Builder is a five-year commitment to early-stage filmmaking talent in this country. The interlinked programmes are designed to widen access, create greater opportunity and build a clear pathway for talent. We’re already working with Astar Media in Stornoway on Opening Shot, our early development shorts programme so It’s fantastic to now have MG ALBA on board to offer additional opportunities, specifically for Gaelic talent. Screen Scotland is committed to supporting Gaelic talent and has also supported a range of Gaelic development projects and productions, including An t-Eilean and Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands.”

Bill MacLeod, Commissioning Editor at MG ALBA, said:

“MG ALBA are delighted to be funding two Gaelic short films under the Take Three talent development scheme, a Screen Scotland project funded by the National Lottery and BFI. This initiative is another important step in developing the next generation of Gaelic filmmakers and storytellers.”

The move highlights MG ALBA’s increasing focus on Gaelic drama and talent development. Following the success of hit Gaelic noir An t-Eilean – which scooped both the Drama & Entertainment Prize and the Grand Prix at the Prix CIRCOM 2025 Awards – MG ALBA has secured increased government support for 2025/26, enabling fresh initiatives in drama, including involvement in Take Three and ongoing discussions with BBC Film for a forthcoming Gaelic feature film development call.

Spotlight at the Edinburgh TV Festival

MG ALBA’s announcement came during its sponsored panel at the Edinburgh TV Festival – one of the most prestigious events in the television industry calendar.

Entitled Language as Power: Local Languages Go Global, the session challenged industry stereotypes about Celtic-language content and celebrated the critical and commercial success of productions such as Kneecap and An t-Eilean. It also explored the opportunities and challenges in ensuring Celtic-language media continues to thrive.

The panel was hosted by award-winning journalist and author Sophia Smith Galer, and featured a stellar line-up:

• Sorcha Groundsell, actor, An t-Eilean
• Rich Peppiatt, writer/director, Kneecap
• Douglas Mackinnon, director/showrunner (Sherlock, Good Omens)
• Bill MacLeod, commissioning editor, MG ALBA

Speaking at the Festival, MacLeod highlighted the importance of showcasing Gaelic storytelling on such a significant platform:

“To be sharing a stage at the Edinburgh TV Festival with such exceptional talent is a proud moment for Gaelic media. This visibility shows there is fertile ground and real appetite for Gaelic stories, particularly among younger audiences. Gaelic is not just surviving, it is thriving – and the industry is taking notice.”

Looking Ahead

MG ALBA’s participation in Take Three marks a major step forward for Gaelic cinema, underlining the organisation’s determination to nurture new talent and stories that resonate both locally and globally.

With fresh investment and collaborations on the horizon MG ALBA is cementing its place at the heart of Scotland’s screen storytelling future.