BBC ALBA is set to feature ScottishPower women’s premier league champions Hibernian this weekend as part of the broadcast partnership extension, as the 2025/26 season gets under way.
The multi-year deal announced last month – funded by BBC ALBA’s partner, MG ALBA – will see the channel continue to bring live coverage of top flight women’s football to viewers across the country until the end of the 2027/28 season, cementing BBC ALBA’s role as the home of the SWPL.
BBC ALBA kicks off its broadcasting schedule with live coverage of Hibs’ opening clash against Aberdeen this Sunday (17 August) as the Edinburgh side launch their bid to defend the league title in their first game of the season. Full match coverage is available from 4pm with Alex O’Henley, live from Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium.
The following weekend (Sunday 24 August), BBC ALBA will feature Rangers’ first home fixture of the campaign when they host Hearts at Ibrox Stadium.
Fiona MacKenzie, BBC ALBA commissioning editor, said: “The broadcast partnership agreement between BBC ALBA and the SWPL reaffirms our strong commitment to showcasing the very best of women’s football, ensuring the continued visibility and growth of the game.
“Women’s football in Scotland has gone from strength to strength and fans all over the country will be excited to see how their favourite teams fare in the 2025/26 SWPL season.”
This year’s SWPL features 10 teams, rather than the previous 12, setting the stage for an even more competitive season as the popularity of women’s football continues to grow. The sport’s rise is reflected in the record-breaking attendance figures at this summer’s UEFA European Championships which attracted as many as 657,291 spectators.
Watch the 2025/26 season action live or on demand on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer:
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
