£30,000 funding for FilmG schools’ training programme

Victor MacConnell, MG ALBA Chairman Maggie Choineagan, The First Minister Alex Salmond, Seumas Mehan.

This year’s FilmG training programme for schools will soon be underway thanks to the provision of £30,000 funding from the Scottish Government, in addition to the £20,000 already pledged by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.  The highly successful series of workshops managed by Cànan and delivered through the medium of Gaelic throughout Scotland, will be initiated when schools return after the summer break.

The project, now in its fifth year, has seen an increase in the number of films submitted by young people each year, and in 2012/13 the training programmes hopes to encourage in excess of the 50 films produced in the 12-17 category last year.

The total funding of £50,000 will ensure the quality and range of FilmG’s training, and continue to develop inspiring new films as well as encourage a new generation of Gaelic-speaking film makers.

With the focus on using Gaelic in fun and innovative settings, young people will learn new skills through the language. The training will incorporate all aspects of production for drama and documentary projects, including story development, scripting and performance skills as well as organisational skills and technical expertise.  FilmG will also raise an awareness of exciting career paths for young Gaelic speakers throughout the country.

If your are a Gaelic speaker aged between 12 and 17, and would like FilmG to visit your school or youthgroup, visit our website at www.filmg.co.uk or get in touch at fios@filmg.co.uk. 

DOUBLE NOMINATION SUCCESS FOR MG ALBA AS FILMG AND TRADS SHORTLISTED FOR SCOTTISH EVENT AWARDS

MG ALBA has warmly welcomed the news that FilmG, its Gaelic Short film competition and the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards have both been shortlisted for awards at the Scottish Event Awards 2012. FilmG has been nominated in the best Cultural Event category while the Trad Awards have been nominated in the Best Traditional category. This follows on from the Trads nomination in the Arts and Business Scotland Awards which was announced recently.

FilmG, which has been nominated in the Best Cultural Event category, has been running since 2008 and is managed by Cànan on behalf of MG ALBA. To date over 250 films have been submitted since the competition began. For further information go to  www.filmg.co.uk.

Guest presenter Michelle McManus (centre) with FilmG Winners

The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, which are organized by Hands up for Trad has been shortlisted in the Best Traditional Event category. MG ALBA has sponsored the Scots Trad Music Awards since 2008.

 MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards 2011 at Perth Concert Hall

Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA said “This has been a great week for MG ALBA and our partners. Following on from the news that the Scots Trad Music Awards had been shortlisted in the Arts and Business Scotland Awards, we are delighted now to hear that we have been nominated in two categories at the Scottish Event Awards. We congratulate Cànan and Hands up for Trad for the work that they do with MG ALBA which helps to bring the Gaelic language and culture through music and film to young and old alike in communities throughout Scotland.”

The Scottish Event Awards in association with EventScotland, are now in their fourth year and are judged by an independent panel of individuals with extensive experience within the events industry. The 2012 Awards will be presented in Glasgow on Thursday 6^th September.