First Minister Alex Salmond has announced funding of almost £40,000 to help train entrants to the 12-to-17-year-old category in this year’s FilmG competition.

FilmG is MG ALBA’s short film competition, which aims to uncover new talent for development on the Gaelic digital channel BBC ALBA and produce new Gaelic content for the web.  It was launched in 2008.

The money will consist of a £25,000 grant from Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG) and £14,100 direct Scottish Government support.

Speaking at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye, Salmond said: “I’m pleased to visit Sabhal Mòr Ostaig again, to meet the Principal and senior management and to see first hand the excellent work being undertaken at the college to enhance the place of Gaelic education and strengthen the status of the language across Scotland.

“It is also encouraging to hear about the positive impact which FilmG has had and the opportunities it has created in its first three years – inspiring many young people to consider careers in the screen industries.  I am delighted to be able to confirm today that the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG) will support the competition this year, by funding workshop sessions for 12-to-17 year olds.

“The workshops provide young people with many of the experiences and outcomes outlined in the Curriculum for Excellence, including enhanced skills in literacy, language, numeracy and the expressive arts. FilmG offers an opportunity to build confidence, social awareness and help realise individual talents.”

The FilmG competition has two categories: one for 12-to-17-year-olds and one for adults.  FilmG also provides a comprehensive training programme for both categories throughout Scotland covering front of camera, production, scriptwriting, directing, camera, sound, editing and Gaelic.  In 2010, 54% more films were created by young people compared to the year before.

FilmG is delivered by Cànan, the creative multimedia company based in the Fàs Centre at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. 

Alasdair Morrison, chairman of MG ALBA, said: “Since its inception three years ago, FilmG has unearthed a number of talented people showing great enthusiasm and aptitude for working in the Gaelic media industry. In particular, the competition embraces the younger generations from our Gaelic speaking communities, helping to strengthen and encourage their skills and we have been delighted at the excellent calibre of entries from the 12-17 age group.

“The workshops offer fantastic training for those with a keen interest in filmmaking and allow young participants to learn a variety of skills required in making a short film from leading industry experts. We are delighted with today’s announcement which will allow us to develop the workshops further and help nurture some of the untapped creative talent in the Gaelic community.”