Filmmakers taking part in this year’s prestigious Gaelic short film competition FilmG 2022 have been inspired by nature, environmental issues and the great outdoors – with many of the shortlisted films exploring these topics.
Many films followed this year’s competition theme Lorg, which means search, find or trace, it could even be interpreted as footsteps, with some shortlisted films exploring the outdoors, getting closer to nature and appreciating and protecting the environment.
Nominees have now been confirmed across 17 categories and all the shortlisted films are available to watch on the FilmG website.
The competition received 91 entries this year, which covered various different stories and current events, and the judges had a tough job whittling down the entries over multiple days.
On the environmental theme, eponymous Uilleam Uaine (Green William) is in Staffin to help the pupils to make the right choices for the environment, in a film of the same name which was written and produced by pupils at Staffin Primary School on the Isle of Skye. It has been shortlisted as the Best Production (Under 12).
And a film by pupils at Sgoil Bhagh a’ Chaisteil on the Isle of Barra called ‘Cosgais A Churaim’, (The Cost of Caring) which looks into the effects of disposable face masks on our environment, has been nominated for Best Documentary.
Dihaoinean airson Teachd (Fridays of the Future) tells the story of a scientist who wants to save the world with a potion she has invented to create an Eco Superhero. However, the wrong people keep drinking it!
Made by pupils at Craighill Primary School in Tain, this film has also been shortlisted as the Best Production (Under 12).
Gaelic Medium pupils at Oban High School have been nominated for ‘GOP 26’, which is about an environmental conference GOP26 taking place in Glasgow with leaders from all over the world making speeches, but one of the speakers mysteriously goes missing. The film was shortlisted for the quality of the spoken Gaelic throughout.
Several films explore the great outdoors including a film about hillwalking and scrambling as a way to get a new perspective on the world from beyond the cold, dark glens and high above the clouds.
Called ‘Thar Nan Sgòth – Beinn Eighe’ (Above the Clouds – Beinn Eighe) this film, made by Anndra Cuimeanach from Gairloch, has been nominated for Best Documentary and Best Young Filmmaker in the Youth Category (12-17).
Also in the Youth Category a film by Emma Rose Passmore from Harris called ‘Falaichte Ann an Roghdal’ (Hidden in Rodal) which looks at the secret history of Roghdal in Harris, has been nominated for Best Documentary and Best Young Filmmaker.
In the Open category a short documentary called ‘A’ Mhuir’ (The Sea) about wild swimming and the students at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the Isle of Skye who take part in the sport, has been nominated for Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Somhairle MacIain), Best Student Film and Best Director (Anna Garvin).
‘Am Buaile Dubh’ by Eòghan Stiùbhart from Inverness, which takes a look around Am Buaile Dubh on the outskirts of Inverness, has been nominated for Best Film, Film Duthchais (which translates as best heritage or community film), Best Performance (Eòghan Stiùbhart), Best Director and Best Script.
While a spoof of outdoor programmes called ‘Rachamaid’ by Ross Young from Inverurie has been shortlisted for Best Performance (Ross Young) and Best Student Film.
And ‘Eilean Lois’ (Lois’s Island) by Somhairle MacIain from Glasgow, which follows him and his girlfriend, Lois, as they cycled the Hebridean Way in the summer and he teaches her to speak Gaelic on the trip, has been shortlisted for Best Student Film.
This is just a few of an array of fantastic films by talented filmmakers, schools and community groups from across Scotland that have made it to the shortlists for the FilmG 2022 Short Film Competition.
Karen Elder, a journalist for An Là is a Scottish Gaelic-language news programme broadcast on the Gaelic-language channel, BBC ALBA, was one of the judges this year.She said: “It was a privilege to once again be a part of the judging panel for FilmG. There was a wide variety of films entered, from strong documentaries to comedy. It was no small task.”
You can watch shortlisted films on the FilmG website. FilmG is the Gaelic short film competition, funded by MG ALBA and delivered by Cànan Graphics Studio on the Isle of Skye.
The winners of this year’s prestigious Gaelic Short Film Competition FilmG will be revealed on BBC ALBA from 9pm on Friday, February 25 via a new, specially created, awards programme broadcast from Stornoway.
The show will be hosted by FilmG and BBC ALBA stalwarts Fiona MacKenzie and Niall Iain MacDonald.
For more information, www.filmg.co.uk
Shortlists:
Youth (Under 12) Category
| Filmmaker | Location | Film | Category | Link to Film | Description |
| Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghleann Dail (Glendale Primary School) | Glasgow | Deiseil neo aindeiseil? | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/JXLuSzXW0lk | Things go wrong when a group of pupils try and play a game of hide and seek instead of learning about it. Where did Penelope go?! |
| Bun-sgoil Achadh na Creige (Rockfield Primary School) | Oban | Lorden Bino agus Ned | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/axhZ-LBu_yw | Lorden, Bino and Ned have told the dinner ladies at Rockfield Primary School that their food is not good enough and they will make school dinners better. |
| Sgoil Staffainn (Staffin Primary School) | Isle of Skye | Tearlach san Eilean | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/eWOxlGeXD5E | Prince Charles visits Staffin |
| Bun-sgoil Dun Bheagan (Dunvegan Primary School) | Isle of Skye | Air Chall ‘s Air Lorg | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/J_eMMxhCzrc | Will one young girl’s conscience help her do the right thing? |
| Bun-sgoil Thaigh A’ Chladaich (Sandbank Primary School) | Dunoon | Coignear Air Chall | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/U2xnw4qEA5U | Five Children go to Kilmun on Halloween. Did they get away safely? They met a strange family – the Adams Family! |
| Sgoil Staffainn (Staffin Primary School) | Isle of Skye | Uilleam Uaine | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/s4wPduOWU04 | Uilleam Uaine is in Staffin to help the pupils make the right choices for the environment |
| Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige (Craighill Primary School) | Tain | Dihaoinean airson Teachd | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/MDHwFPaTmVM | A Scientist wants to save the world with a potion she has invented – to create an Eco Superhero. However, the wrong people keep drinking it! |
| Bun-sgoil Ghlinn Urchadain (Glenurquhart Primary School) | Drumnadrochit | An Iuchair Draoidheil | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/iQm8t4qOMGM | A student finds a magic key and brings it into class |
Youth (12-17) Category
| Filmmaker | Location | Film | Category | Link to film | Description |
| Parker Dawes | Ardnamurchan | Spies-R-Us | Best Film (Fluent), Best Production, Best Young Filmmaker, Best Performance (Parker Dawes) | https://youtu.be/yRN6I9rNduo | Seumas McGuffin, the best spy in the world and friend Iain stole a secret file from the most secure facility in Scotland. Here’s what happened. |
| Àrd-sgoil an Òbain (Oban High School) | Oban | GOP 26 | Best Film (Fluent) | https://youtu.be/CtVGNy2PsSg | GOP26 is taking place in Glasgow and world leaders are making speeches. But one of the speakers has gone missing! |
| Àrd-sgoil Ghearrloch (Gairloch High School) | Gairloch | An Sithiche Mu Dheireadh | Best Film (Fluent) | https://youtu.be/zt9k4zzFTfg | The Gille Dubh, has lived in the Gairloch area for centuries.But after the laird had hunted him, he was not seen again … until he appeared in our own day |
| Finlay agus Calum Morrison | Glasgow | An Taigh-Òsta | Best Film (Fluent), Best Performance (Finlay Morrison) | https://youtu.be/ziIP9d-EUg4 | Iain and Donald McRamsay explore the goings-on in the fictional village of “Ochanish”. There are some interesting characters staying there! |
| Àrd-sgoil Ile (Islay High School) | Islay | Easga Bhuidhe na Feidh | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/oARMiRNVzyQ | Is Easga Bhuidhe na Feidh as fearful as legend suggests? A group of Islay teenagers try to find out. |
| Acadamaidh Pheairt (Perth Academy) | Perth | An Amaladh a Chèile | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/2QHIWzyBXOQ | A small group of pupils leaves a classroom and see a poster offering a reward for the capture of an escaped llama. |
| Àrd-sgoil Tobar Mhoire (Tobermory High School) | Mull | Seumas Snasail | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/3gS9zxAlx7I | A young girl goes to extreme lengths to meet her idol. Is meeting your heroes ever a good idea? |
| Acadamaidh Allt a’ Mhuilinn (Millburn Academy) | Inverness | Flòraidh | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/h12m98PjC54 | Can you ever be sure who you’re talking to when you meet someone online? |
| Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh (Portree High School) | Isle of Skye | Cuidhteas | Best Production, Best Performance (Iseabail MacRae) | https://youtu.be/rcEFfex-0v4 | Three respectable wives in the Victorian Era plan a way to find independence from their husbands |
| Àrd-sgoil Loch Abar (Lochaber High School) | Fort William | Gàidsear Chreutairean | Best Production, Best Performance (Calum Stewart) | https://youtu.be/nZmPTyQF8IY | When there’s something strange in your school, who will you phone? Gàidsear Chrutairean (Creature Catcher)! |
| Àrd-sgoil Aird nam Murchan (Ardnamurchan High School) | Ardnamurchan | Beatha Iain Lom | Best Production | https://youtu.be/Rfq93GwOv_s | From birth to death- scenes from the life of one of Scotland’s best known poets. |
| Anndra Cuimeanach | Gairloch | Thar Nan Sgòth – Beinn Eighe | Best Documentary, Best Young Filmmaker | https://youtu.be/RScxxJ-3WGE | Sometimes we have to leave the cold, dark glens and climb high above each cloud. There we get a new perspective on the world. |
| Emma Rose Passmore | Harris | Falaichte Ann an Roghdal | Best Documentary, Best Young Filmmaker | https://youtu.be/ejf_w648ZVY | A look around the secret history of Roghdal in Harris |
| Keri NicIain | Inverness | Latha na Deuchainn | Best Young Filmmaker | https://youtu.be/bnzta6WQjLI | It’s exam day for the Gaelic pupils. This film picks up on the different types of student (and teachers) that you encounter during exams! |
| Sgoil Bhagh a’ Chaisteil | Isle of Barra | Cosgais A Churaim | Best Documentary | https://youtu.be/_0MUTOpstAQ | A look into the effects of disposable face masks on our environment. |
| Àrd-sgoil MhicNeacail (Nicolson Institute) | Isle of Lewis | Ceannairc | Best Documentary | https://youtu.be/hzLk-AyZRJQ | Twenty years after the 9/11 attacks, Nicolson Institute S3 students take a look back at history. |
| Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu | Glagsow | Fo Bhruid | Best Performance (Shreya Saul) | https://youtu.be/J99RYIxIQlY | A group of friends have to follow a number of clues to find out what has happened to their missing friend. |
| Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu | Glasgow | Murt Matamataig | Best Performance (Eylana McCormack) | https://youtu.be/GB_UQI3E7PE | When the maths teacher is murdered, it is up to the class to figure out who amongst them is the murderer. |
Open Category
| Filmmaker | Location | Film | Shortlisted for | ||
| Alina Brust | Edinburgh | An Taigh Solais | Best Film, Best Student Film, Best Director (Alina Brust) | https://youtu.be/EYN7y0ih9vY | A shepherd and her sheep are trapped in a strange lighthouse. |
| Innes MacLeod | Isle of Lewis | Cudaig | Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Director (Innes MacLeod) | https://youtu.be/BNe8wEbmbIs | Cudaig’s life as a Coastguard volunteer. |
| Cursa TBh Sabhal Mòr Ostaig | Isle of Skye | A’ Mhuir | Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Somhairle MacIain), Best Student Film, Best Director (Anna Garvin) | https://youtu.be/0VAitEe_uVE | A short documentary about wild swimming and the students at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig who take part in the sport. |
| Eòghan Stiùbhart | Inverness | Am Buaile Dubh | Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Eòghan Stiùbhart), Best Director, Best Script | https://youtu.be/yeKqd4ak_0k | A look around Am Buaile Dubh on the outskirts of Inverness |
| Ross Young | Inverurie | Rachamaid | Best Performance (Ross Young), Best Student Film | https://youtu.be/oxjOk9mSy6I | A spoof of outdoor programmes. |
| Somhairle MacIain | Glasgow | Eilean Lois | Best Student Film | https://youtu.be/JLQZtS7A9QU | In the summer me and my girlfriend, Lois, cycled the Hebridean Way. Lois does not speak Gaelic but I try to teach her some on our trip |
| Comunn na Gaidhlig | Nationwide | Lorgan Caluim Cille | Film Duthchais | https://youtu.be/aJkvxxkSOlA | It is the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St Columba. The Comunn na Gàidhlig team works throughout Scotland and seven of our Iomairtean Cànain (language initiatives) looked for local links with Colmcille |
| Marcas Mac An Tuairneir | Edinburgh | Crò-naomh | Best Performance (Marcas Mac An Tuairneir) | https://youtu.be/bfDLBEPTG3I | A film-poem by Marcas Mac an Tuairneir with the poem’Crò-naomh’ (‘Sacred Heart’) |
| Robbie MacLeod | Edinburgh | Lorgan | Best Performance (Robbie MacLeod), Best Script | https://youtu.be/iqY422knVeg | A film poem examining the things that go out of view, and the traces they leave behind them. |
| Clas Gàidhlig Chamelon | Falkirk | Làrach eucoir anns a’ Ghearasdan | Best Performance (Julia Gull), Best Script | https://youtu.be/R8xJpTJtuxo | A crime was committed in Fort William and the neighbours are shocked. A police officer narrows down the suspects to four people and interviews them. |
| Cheryl Heggie School of Dance + Sìne na Screen | Inverness | Thòisich e le Sreothart! | Best Script | https://youtu.be/IQ4yRWtaqbY | It started with a sneeze! The entries for the Highland dancers scatter everywhere and they end up in the wrong competitions at the Highland games |