Shortlists revealed in Gaelic Short Film Competition

“Strongest FilmG Ever”

The long-running Gaelic short film competition, FilmG, has released the shortlists ahead of the FilmG Awards in March, marking the biggest shake-up in categories in the competition’s 17-year history.

For the first time, there will be no Best Film category in either the -18 or 18+ competitions. Instead, the major prizes will now be awarded for Best Drama, Best Documentary, and Best Comedy—highlighting the breadth of Gaelic storytelling talent.

This year also saw another historic change: filmmakers were not given a set theme for the first time, allowing for complete creative freedom. The 127 entries across both competitions reflected the focus behind the scenes on development and progress.

Independent judges selected nominees across 15 categories, while the public will decide the final two awards through an online vote.

18+ Shortlists

All four films nominated for Best Drama are previous FilmG winners, including last year’s Best Film winner, Kayleigh Bell.

Three films stand out with three nominations each: Mhàiri Gillies from Skye and the duo of Eilidh Chandler & Rae MacIver for their respective documentaries, along with last year’s winner Luca Kerr for his drama ‘Geama’.

-18 Shortlists

Last year’s Best Film winner, Parker Dawes, picks up another two nominations, including Best Drama.

Only four other films collect multiple nominations – Gairloch High School, Sgoil an Taobh Siar, and Portree Secondary School each received two nominations, while the Comunn na Gàidhlig group from Harris received three nominations for their comedic take on the hit TV show The Voice.

Dingwall schools also had a strong showing, with two films nominated from Dingwall Primary and one from Dingwall Academy.

Murdo MacSween, FilmG’s Project Director, said, “It’s the strongest FilmG we’ve ever seen in terms of quality, and we have very competitive shortlists.

“The public vote has also been strong, so it’ll be exciting to see which two films come out as Scotland’s favourites!”

Alongside the competition, FilmG’s workshops, clubs, and activities continue to nurture the next generation of Gaelic storytellers, providing a pathway for aspiring filmmakers to enter the world of Gaelic media.

Maggie Taylor, Head of Publishing at MG ALBA, added: “FilmG is invaluable for Gaelic media, as it showcases all the new talent coming through.

“The judges have had a tough job this year, but we’re proud of all the filmmakers who have been busy across Scotland sharing their stories in Gaelic.”

The winners will be revealed at the FilmG Awards Ceremony at the SEC in Glasgow on Friday, 7 March 2025. You can watch all the films at www.filmg.co.uk. 

Complete list of nominations:

-18

Best Drama

Cus – Gairloch High School 
Air Choire – Parker Dawes
Spògan Buidhe – Portree High School FilmG Club

Seachad – Ullapool High School 

Best Documentary

An Treasamh Sùil – Tomas Dimbleby Weber
Òran na Cloiche – ‘Dà Bhogsa agus Bogha’ & Finlay Morrison
Na Fònaichean Tha Sin..! Tràilleachd na Fònaichean – Sgoil Lìonacleit 
FORSAN – Rosa O’Halloran

Best Comedy

An Seachnadh – Dingwall Academy
Na Mèirlich – Dingwall Primary School

Dè Nì Sinn? – Sgoil an Taobh Siar
An Guth – CnaG Na Hearadh

Best Youth Group

Na Fuadaichean – Dingwall Primary School
Pantar Phàislig – West Primary School, Paisley
Muncaidh Bhreascleit – Sgoil Bhreascleit
An Guth – CnaG Na Hearadh

Power of Gaelic Award

Nuair a bha mi Òg – Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath
Seanchas na Fairge – Staffin School and CnaG
Am Plana Gaoideach – Castlebay Community School 
Dè Nì Sinn? – Sgoil an Taobh Siar

The Creativity Award

Drogh Paitchyn / Clann Dona – Bun-scoil Ghaelgagh, Isle of Man
A-mach ‘s A-steach – Oban High School

An Cluba Saidheans aig a Bh.Uas. Nic an Ceàrdaich – Calderglen High School, East Kilbride
Faigh A-mach à Seo Mi! – Dunoon Grammar School

Technical Excellence Award

Parker Dawes – Air Choire
Alasdair MacDonald – Baile Mhoire
Uilleam MacDonald –  Am Fiùran
Alex Padarowski – Duine-èisg

Best Performance

Emily King – An Guth
Eloise McNay – Geama
Lexy Campbell – Cus
Jonathan MacDonald – Spògan Buidhe

18+

Best Drama
Air a’ Bheing – Kayleigh Bell & Adam Stewart
Geama – Luca Kerr
Falach-Fead – AllanWith1Eils
Sinne, Nas Sine – Cara Turner & Kirsty McBain

Best Documentary
Coinneach MacThòmais – Eilidh Chandler & Rae MacIver
Orient – David O’Brien
Anne Againne – Mhairi Gillies
A’ Bheàrn – Jessica Deigan

Best Comedy
Falach-Fead – AllanWith1Eils
A’ Cluich – Rambling Celt Productions
Ar Eilean Breagha – Eilidh Johnston
Cunnart bho na Meanbh-chuileagan – An Clas Camelon

Best Cultural Film
A’ Tilleadh Dhachaigh – Galson Trust Estate
Coinneach MacThòmais – Eilidh Chandler & Rae MacIver
Orient – David O’Brien
Anne Againne – Mhairi Gillies

Best Music Video
Cailleach Mhòr Stadhlaigh – Evie Waddell
Tha Smeòrach sa Mhadainn Chiùin – Cashlin MacKenzie
Mhic Iain ‘ic Sheumais – Dlù
Chan Eil – Evie Waddell

Technical Excellence Award
Rob MacNeacail – A’ Cluich
Mhari Gillies – Anne Againne
Cashlin MacKenzie – Tha Smeòrach sa Mhadainn Chiùin
Rae MacIver – Coinneach MacThòmais

Best Performance
Ró Ó hEadhra – Uisge-Bàis
Evie Waddell – Cailleach Mhòr Stadhlaigh
Kirsty MacArthur – Air a’ Bheing
Rachel Kate MacLeod – Geama