Voting began on Tuesday for FilmG, MG ALBA’s innovative Gaelic online short film competition, aimed at uncovering creative talent for the new Gaelic television channel, BBC ALBA.

FilmG is now showcasing the work of aspiring and talented film makers who have entered into the competition in each of the four categories; professional, new entrant, young people and mobile phone short films. Participants had five themes to chose from; collision, yikes!, Saturday night, new faces, new places and dark and light.
The competition has attracted entries from throughout the Gaelic speaking world and beyond, even from Alaska, and range from mystery dramas to documentaries; super- heroes to haunted roads.
All entries can be viewed online at www.filmg.co.uk where the public can vote for their favourite film between 8 December and 14 January 2009.
The highest scoring film, voted for by the public, will be presented with the People’s Choice award at the inaugural FilmG awards ceremony on Friday 6 February in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.
Sitting on the judging panel will be MG ALBA’s Head of Content, Alan Esslemont, BBC television director John Smith, Donnie Munro, former lead singer of the famous Gaelic band Runrig, and experts from the media industry.
The judge’s shortlist for each category will go online from mid January, with the winners being announced at the FilmG awards.
£35,000 of cash prizes are up for grabs as well as the chance to develop broadcast pilots for BBC ALBA.
Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA, said: “The response has been fantastic for the inaugural FilmG competition, attracting a large number of entries. I have been especially impressed by the enthusiasm shown by young people for making innovative online shorts in Gaelic, and the good news for all of us involved in Gaelic television is that that there appears to be a huge level of untapped creative talent in Gaelic out there.

“As partners with a remit for content and talent development in BBC ALBA, the new Gaelic television channel, this competition offers us an incredible opportunity to discover aspiring programme makers in the Gaelic community and to enjoy the potential they have to offer.”
FilmG marketing officer, Michelle Cotter said: “FilmG has been a ground breaking project for Cànan and MG ALBA. We are delighted with the outcome and wish all participants every success in the future.”

FilmG has been supported by many of Scotland’s most successful film makers and script writers including Don Coutts, Robbie Fraser and Ian Finlay MacLeod.