BBC’s 500 Words competition winners announced

The winners of the UK’s most successful children’s writing competition, 500 Words, have been unveiled on World Book Day® in a special episode of The One Show – 500 Words with The One Show – on BBC One and iPlayer.

From thousands of talented entries, six exceptional young authors who submitted their stories to the BBC’s 500 words competition were crowned last week at the Grand Final in Buckingham Palace, with their identities kept secret until the big reveal on today’s special edition of The One Show.

Her Majesty the Queen invited Romesh Ranganathan and a host of celebrity readers including Hugh Bonneville, Oti Mabuse, Luke Evans, Olivia Dean, Tom Hiddleston and star of Matilda, Alisha Weir, to Buckingham Palace for the final event which opened with a special performance of ‘Pure Imagination’ from ‘Wonka’, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures, followed by ‘When I Grow Up’ performed by the West End cast of Matilda The Musical.

All the excitement from entire event, including all the live performances by celebrity readers of the winning stories, will be available to watch on CBBC at 4pm Friday 8 March.

Speaking at the Grand Final, Her Majesty The Queen said: “In the three years that we have been without this wonderful competition, I think we have realised how much we have missed it.

“Over the years, it has actually turned into half a billion words that have been written, typed, scribbled and tumbled onto thousands of pages by children across the UK, read by an army of volunteers and then sent to Oxford University Press to form the biggest collection of children’s writing in the world.

“That means that between you, you have created more than a million stories of thought-provoking adventure for future generations to study and enjoy. Thank you to everybody who has taken part in 500 Words – it is a huge pleasure to have you back.”

BBC Head of Education, Helen Foulkes said: “It’s incredible that we received almost 44,000 entries – the calibre of stories submitted this year have been exceptionally high.

“500 Words is all about encouraging children from across the UK to enjoy writing and let their imaginations run wild, without fear of spelling, punctuation or grammar. Our hope is that every child that entered continues to fall in love with writing.”

The six winners were chosen from two age group categories, ages 5-7 and 8-11 with each consisting of gold, silver and bronze awards.

500 Words Gold Winners

  • The GOLD Winner for 5-7 age group is Evan from London, his story, Message in a Bottle was read by singer Olivia Dean. Evan said: “I like writing descriptions, letters and diaries.”
  • The GOLD Winner for the 8-11 age group is Olive from London, her story, Cellmate was read by actor, Tom Hiddleston. Olive said: “It came from the depths of my brain, I never knew what was down there, now I do!”

500 Words Silver Winners

  • The SILVER Winner for the 5-7 age group is Clara from Leicestershire, her story, Pony With a Coat on – Solving Crimes was read by Matilda star, Alisha Weir.
  • The SILVER Winner for the 8-11 age group was Spencer from Glasgow, his story, The Scottish Gangsta was read by Hugh Bonneville.

500 Words Bronze Winners

  • The BRONZE Winner for the 5-7 age group was Henry from Oxfordshire, his story The Alien and the Purple Planet was read by Oti Mabuse.
  • The BRONZE Winner for the 8-11 age group was Aaron from Oxfordshire, his story A Very Important Lesson was read by actor and singer, Luke Evans.

The 500 Words judges included Sir Lenny Henry, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Francesca Simon, Charlie Higson, and Malorie Blackman, who were chaired by BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay.

Each of the finalist’s stories are available to read now on the BBC Teach website, alongside audio versions which have been voiced specially by BBC Radio Drama Actors

Winners of SkillBuild construction ‘skills Olympics’ announced

Skill Build Granton Campus Pic Peter Devlin

The winners of the SkillBuild National Finals 2022 have been announced, after nearly 80 construction trainees went head-to-head over three days.

SkillBuild, often dubbed the ‘skills Olympics’, is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in partnership with WorldSkills UK and offers a chance for trainees to compete in a bid to be crowned winner of their chosen trade.

Following the Regional Qualifiers, which were held at various colleges across the UK earlier this year, the National Finals took place at Edinburgh College on 15 – 17 November. The event attracted roughly 1,000 school visitors from across Edinburgh and the Lothians, exhibiting the variety of skills and career opportunities available within the industry.

SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices, and as competitors progress through each stage, they are tested on their technical abilities, time management, character, and commitment.

The competition is viewed by many as an opportunity to develop confidence, self-esteem, and life skills, along with the potential for the highest-scoring eligible competitors to join ‘Squad UK’ and compete internationally.

Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted to have been able to attend yet another year of SkillBuild, my favourite day in the calendar. It’s fantastic to meet all the talented individuals and hear about their career aspirations.

“It’s so important that we support this next generation of talent coming through to industry, encouraging them to pursue their passions and reach their full potential.

“It’s initiatives like SkillBuild that really make a huge difference and I’d like to thank everyone involved in making this year’s competition possible. Many congratulations to all the winners and everyone who competed, you should all be incredibly proud of yourselves.”

Ben Blackledge, Deputy Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “Congratulations to all the medal winners. It is a fantastic achievement, and we hope their success will inspire more people to consider an apprenticeship and technical training as a route to great career success.  

“Using insights gained from our competition-based programmes, we work with our partners to raise standards in training, helping to drive economic growth across the UK.”   

Audrey Cumberford, Edinburgh College Principal and CEO, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in what has been a wonderful week, a truly inspirational platform of talent from across the UK.

“It has been a privilege for us to host the WorldSkills UK National Finals with SkillBuild and to welcome so many people from colleges and training providers across the UK.

“We have seen an incredibly high standard of skills performance from all competitors, which will be of inspiration to the many young people we had through our doors to spectate. We hope this has opened many eyes to careers in the Construction sector, and indeed to the benefits of competing in skills events such as these.

“Congratulations to all the winners and medallists, and our thanks to all who have made this a fantastic experience for our College.”

The winners from SkillBuild are:

CITB Skill Build Pic Peter Devlin

Bricklaying

Gold – Jago Gamblin

Silver – James T-Coleman

Bronze – Shaun Baker


Carpentry

Gold – Andrew Elam

Silver – Ben Price

Bronze – Robin Luscombe

Highly Commended – Eliot Duff

Highly Commended – Osian James


Foundation Skills: Woodworking

Gold – Sam Johnson

Silver – Oliver Sayers

Bronze – Dantina Gillett

Highly Commended – Adam Szewc

Highly Commended – Matthew McCarthy


Furniture and Cabinet Making

Gold – Isaac Bingham

Silver – Conor Ellis

Joint Bronze – Ciaran Baggot & Thomas Knowles


Joinery

Gold – Harry Scolding

Silver – Jack Corner

Bronze – Dion Evans


Painting and Decorating

Gold – Jade Oakes

Silver – Hattie Parnham

Bronze – Jacqui Hawthorne

Highly Commended – Joshua Thompson

Highly Commended – Paul Mason


Plastering

Gold – Jordan McQuillan

Silver – Thomas Devine

Bronze – Joshua Woosnam

Highly Commended – Kieran Rowarth


Plastering and Drywall Systems

Gold – Zara Dupont

Silver – Hugh Treanor

Bronze – Prince Senyah

Highly Commended – Ben Henry

Highly Commended – Ashley Carragher


Roof Slating and Tiling

CITB Skill Build Pic Peter Devlin

Gold – Jordan Maley

Silver – Jacob Blight

Bronze – Kyron Sharlotte

Highly Commended – Aeron Murray


Stonemasonry

Gold – Luke Maher

Silver – Douglas Stevens

Bronze – Marlene Lagnado

Highly Commended – James Lewis


Wall and Floor Tiling

Gold – Conor Nugent

Silver – Morgan Nutt

Bronze – Aaron Brady


CITB would like to thank all the fantastic sponsors of this year’s SkillBuild, which include Alford Awards, Albion Stone, BAL, British Gypsum, Institute of Carpenters, Crown Paints, Dickies, Nicholls & Clarke, NFRC, Schluter, SPAX, Stone Federation, TARMAC, The Tile Association, The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers and Weber.

If you or someone you know is interested in taking part in next year’s competition, visit Go Construct for more information.

Pictures: Pete Devlin

Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 winners revealed

Scotland’s finest bars and pubs have been revealed at a glitzy awards ceremony for the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 in Glasgow on Tuesday (30 August). 

Hundreds of Scotland’s licenced trade gathered together to celebrate their achievements, enjoying entertainment from Abba MANIA. 

Crowning the nation’s most loved pubs, the prestigious event saw over 27 venues and individuals pick up the coveted awards from up and down the country including Glasgow’s Ga Ga, Troon’s The Fox and Edinburgh’s Black Ivy and Virgin Hotels. 

Organiser Susan Young said, “It’s been another incredible year for the annual Scottish Bar and Pub Awards as we’ve recognised some of the most creative, hard-working and beloved venues in the country.

“Following a difficult few years for the licensed trade, it’s fantastic to see so many venues dedicate their time to staff training, inventive menus and new initiatives. 

“From Inverness to Dundee, Troon to Uddingston, this year’s winners have gone above and beyond to provide exemplary customer service, create new cocktails or champion their local live music scene.

“I’d like to give a special mention and warmest congratulations to our DRAM Lifetime Achievement Award winner Colin Blair from Buzzworks and Inspirational Woman of the Year, Giovanna Eusebi from Eusebi Deli – they are two worthy winners and a credit to our industry.

Congratulations everyone and thanks for once again helping us shine a spotlight on Scotland’s best venues!” 

Full Winners List: 

DRAM Lifetime Achievement Award

Colin Blair (Buzzworks)

Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year

Black Ivy, Edinburgh (above)

Aro Procurement Customer Service Award

The Huxley, Edinburgh

Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year

The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow

Deanston Whisky Guru 2022

Matt MacPherson, The Malt Room, Inverness

William Grant Bar Apprentice 2022

Gavin Lidbury, The Finnieston

Contribution to the Industry Award 2022

Jim Hamilton

Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue 2022

Box Bar & Club, Glasgow

Hospo TalentManager of the Year 2022

Matt Colligan, Bier Halle

Hungrrr Technology Adopter 2022

Scoop Restaurant Group, Glasgow

Inspirational Woman of the Year 2022

Giovanna Eusebi, Eusebi Deli

Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year

Ga Ga, Glasgow

Kopparberg New Bar of the Year

The Fox, Troon

Licensee of the Year

John Black, The Fort, Dundee

Award for Success

Paul Stevenson, Paesano

Molinari Casual Dining Award 2022

Caffe Parma, Glasgow

Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year

Kelvingrove Café, Glasgow

Buzzworks & Montpeliers

Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year

Matt MacPherson, The Malt Room

Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year

Virgin Hotels, The Commons Club, Edinburgh

Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue

Why Not Nightclub, Edinburgh

Scottish Bar & Pub Awards Community Pub of the Year

Clippens Inn, Linwood

Stoli Sustainability Award

Eusebi, Glasgow

Independent Operator of the Year

Jonathan MacDonald

Scoop Restaurant Group, Glasgow

The Busker Cocktail Bar of the Year

Lido, Troon

Scottish Hospitality Group Special Recognition Award 2022

David Cochrane, HIT

Scottish Bar & Pub Awards Team of the Year

Lisini, Uddingston

Sunday Mail Pub of the Year

The Palais, Glasgow

In their 27th year the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards, dubbed the hospitality Oscars, spotlight Scotland’s licensed trade and independent operators, rewarding the country’s most loved venues.

Finalists are shortlisted from an online vote open to the public, with over 3500 votes cast this year and visited by an esteemed panel of judges to crown the final winners. 

The awards recognise everything from Kopparberg’s New Pub of the Year, Hi Spirits Best Live Music Venue and even Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year. The winners were announced from amongst 75 finalists at last night’s glittering awards ceremony at the Doubletree Hilton Glasgow Central, as Scotland’s finest bar and pub operators came together to celebrate a bumper year.  

Glasgow’s bar and pub scene cleaned up at the awards, with local institutions like The Piper Whisky Bar taking home Benromach’s Whisky Bar of the Year, and the East End’s Palais Bar claiming the coveted prize of the night, the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year. West End mainstays Eusebi Deli won the Stoli Sustainability Award while Scoop Restaurants, operators of world-renowned venues Ka Pao and Ox and Finch, won Independent Operator of the Year. 

Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s winners included Black Ivy for Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year (above), and beloved bar and restaurant The Huxley was recognised for exemplary service with the Aro Procurement Customer Service Award.

Newcomer The Commons Club at Virgin Hotels claimed the Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year, holding off competition from Gleneagles Hotel, Fonab Castle and Rusacks Hotel. 

Outwith the central belt, the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards recognised some of the nation’s finest venues including Inverness’ The Malt Room.

Inverness native and bar manager of the venue Matt MacPherson took home two awards, crowned Deanston Whisky Guru 2022 and Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.

In Dundee, John Black of The Fort won Licensee of the Year, whilst The Fox in Troon was named Kopparberg’s New Bar of the Year, coming out top ahead of stiff competition from Jimmy Badgers, Giddy Goose and The Albyn. 

The awards are Scotland’s longest running licensed trade awards, and celebrate the industry’s rising stars, community led initiatives and creative forces which drive the nation’s best venues. 

For more information and a full list of winners head to www.scottishbarandpubawards.com  

The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 finalists and winners. 

*Note that the awards are alphabetical and in no particular order. 

CategoryFinalist
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the YearBlack Ivy, Edinburgh – WINNER
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the YearThe Forth Inn, Aberfoyle
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the YearInndeep, Glasgow
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the YearThe White Stag, Callander
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the YearBrewhemia, Edinburgh
Aro Procurement Customer Service AwardThe Coach House, Bridge of Weir
Aro Procurement Customer Service AwardThe Fox & Willow, Ayr
Aro Procurement Customer Service AwardThe Huxley, Edinburgh – WINNER
Aro Procurement Customer Service AwardLittle Soho, Jordanhill
Benromach Whisky Bar of the YearThe Albananch, Edinburgh
Benromach Whisky Bar of the YearArtisan, Wishaw
Benromach Whisky Bar of the YearThe Malt Room, Inverness
Benromach Whisky Bar of the YearThe Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow – WINNER
Deanston Guru of the YearGillian Kirkland /The Piper’s Whisky Bar
Deanston Guru of the YearDerek Mather/Artisan
Deanston Guru of the YearMatt McPherson/ The Malt Room – WINNER
Deanston Guru of the YearAlastair Shaw/The Gate
Deanston Guru of the YearSimon Smith/ Whisky & Cynicism
DRAM Community PubClippens Inn, Linwood – WINNER
DRAM Community PubGranny Gibbs, Whiteinch
DRAM Community PubSilver Wing, Edinburgh
DRAM Community PubThe Weston Tavern, Kilmaurs
Hi Spirits Best Live Music VenueBox Bar & Club, Glasgow – WINNER
Hi Spirits Best Live Music VenueHarley’s, Ayr
Hi Spirits Best Live Music VenueMacSorley’s, Glasgow
Hi Spirits Best Live Music VenueSt Luke’s & The Winged Ox, Glasgow

HOSPO Manager of the year
Nicola Armstrong – Macgochans, Mull
HOSPO Manager of the yearMatt Colligan – Bier Hall – WINNER
HOSPO Manager of the yearLee Little – Lido, Troon
HOSPO Manager of the yearConnor  Smith – Hamilton Palace, Hamilton
HOSPO Manager of the yearKeir Beckwith, Gaucho

Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year
The Dome, Edinburgh 
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the YearGa Ga Kitchen & Bar, Glasgow – WINNER
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the YearKyloe, Edinburgh 
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the YearRalph & Finns , Glasgow
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the YearThe Ubiquitous Chip , Glasgow
Kopparberg New Bar of the YearThe Albyn, Aberdeen
Kopparberg New Bar of the YearThe Fox, Troon – WINNER
Kopparberg New Bar of the YearGiddy Goose, Perth
Kopparberg New Bar of the YearJimmy Badgers, Inverness
Molinari Casual Dining AwardAllegria Eatery, Largs
Molinari Casual Dining AwardCaffe Parma, Glasgow – WINNER
Molinari Casual Dining AwardBoar’s Head, Auchtermuchty
Molinari Casual Dining AwardMediterraneo, Glasgow
Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the YearThe Fort, Broughty Ferry 
Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the YearJute Cafe Bar, Dundee
Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the YearScotch & Rye, Inverness
Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the YearKelvingrove Café, Glasgow – WINNER
Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year18, Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews
Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the YearThe American Bar, Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder
Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the YearVirgin Hotels, The Commons Club, Edinburgh – WINNER
Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the YearThe Lounge Bar, Fonab Castle, Pitlochry
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night VenueBourbon, Edinburgh
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night VenueCharlie’s Loft, Glasgow
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night VenueMoskito, Glasgow
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue Pernod Ricard Best Late Night VenueNox, AberdeenWhy Not Nightclub Edinburgh – WINNER
Stoli Sustainability Award Contini’s Scottish Restaurant, Edinburgh
Stoli Sustainability AwardEusebi, Glasgow – WINNER
Stoli Sustainability AwardGaucho, Glasgow
Stoli Sustainability AwardSWG3, Glasgow 
The Busker Cocktail Bar of the YearThe Absent Ear, Glasgow
The Busker Cocktail Bar of the YearThe Cocktail Mafia, Edinburgh
The Busker Cocktail Bar of the YearThe Gate, Glasgow
The Busker Cocktail Bar of the YearThe Lido, Troon – WINNER
Independent Operator of the Year                              Bread Meets Bread (BMB), Glasgow
Independent Operator of the YearThe Bruce Group, Edinburgh
Independent Operator of the YearBuzzworks, Ayrshire
Independent Operator of the YearScoop Restaurants – WINNER
SUNDAY MAIL PUB OF THE YEARHabbies, Kilbarchan
SUNDAY MAIL PUB OF THE YEARThe Palais, Glasgow – WINNER
SUNDAY MAIL PUB OF THE YEARThe Station Bar, Glasgow
SUNDAY MAIL PUB OF THE YEARThe Waverley, Wishaw 

AWARD FOR SUCCESS –  Paul Stevenson, Paesano

BUZZWORKS & MONTPELIERS EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR – Matt MacPherson, The Malt Room

CONTRIBUTION TO THE INDUSTRY AWARD – Jim Hamilton

DRAM LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Colin Blair (Buzzworks)

HUNGRR TECHNOLOGY ADOPTER  – Scoop Restaurant Group, Glasgow

INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR – Giovanna Eusebi, Eusebi Deli

LICENSEE OF THE YEAR – John Black, The Fort, Dundee

SCOTTISH HOSPITALITY GROUP SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD 2022 – David Cochrane, HIT

SCOTTISH BAR & PUB AWARDS TEAM OF THE YEAR  – Lisini, Uddingston

WILLIAM GRANT BAR APPRENTICE  – Gavin Lidbury, The Finnieston

Carol Tambor Incentive Award announces 2022 winners

The New-York based fund was designed to encourage new writing and live performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is delighted to announce the winners of the Carol Tambor Incentive Award, chosen by the Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation, based in New York.

The £10,000 ($13,000 US) fund was divided between a number of shows selected by the Foundation, which were registered in the theatre category for live, in-person performance at the Fringe in 2022. To be eligible for the annual fund, the work needed to be new, not previously performed at the Fringe or in New York, and featured a cast of at least two performers. Children’s work and monologues were not eligible.

The winners are as follows:

Burn – Ottawa Little Theatre

“Three longtime friends have had little contact since the death of the fourth member of their close-knit group, a best-selling horror writer. Now his estranged daughter has brought them all together again – but why?”

Ghosts of the Near Future – emma + pj

“In Vegas, a magician performs a final disappearing act. The end of the world is a magic trick – are you watching closely? Ghosts of the Near Future is a cowboy-noir fever dream about extinction.”

Hotel Elsinore – PLANT[UNLTD] / Susanna Hamnett

“Denmark. 2am. A hotel room. Three weary travellers, an unexpected will and a production of Hamlet to rehearse before morning. Tragedy and humour blend in this new play about the challenges of family, forgiveness and Shakespeare.”

LIGHTHOUSE – Early Doors Productions

“Off the coast of Angus in the North Sea is Caillte Lighthouse. Set just after WWI, the story follows two keepers and their training of a third before strange things start to occur that question their loyalty, honour, friendship and ultimately – their existence.”

Sandcastles – Brite Theater

“Sandcastles by Steve McMahon moves back and forth in time and memory to depict the tumultuous lifelong friendship of millennials Hannah and Beth. Beth is moving to New York. Hannah should be happy for her. When Beth goes missing Hannah can’t reconcile how she reacted with the fact that Beth might be gone.”

Swell – Tom Foreman Productions

“In 2014, residents of Fairbourne were watching their local news when they found out they were to be Britain’s first climate refugees, with their town set to be decommissioned and depopulated by 2054. Housing prices dropped over night, insurance disappeared and life savings were lost in the chaos.”

The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much – Voloz Collective

“Wes Anderson meets Hitchcock meets spaghetti western in this multi award-winning, intercontinental, inter-genre, cinematic caper of accusations, accidents and accents.”

The Mistake – Michael Mears’ Essential Theatre

“1942. On an abandoned squash court, a dazzling scientific experiment takes place that three years later will destroy a city and change the world forever… Told through the lives of a brilliant Hungarian scientist, a daring American pilot and a devoted Japanese daughter.”

The Poetical Life of Philomena McGuinness – Moon Rabbit

“It’s 1939 and Philomena McGuinness, a reluctant nurse, is on her way from Dublin to London. Newly recruited for the British war effort, she finds herself facing the challenge of a lifetime.”

Ultimatum – Treehouse

“Two strangers have one hour to split £1m. Sounds easy, but what happens when one of them refuses to play fair? What is fair? Who deserves money? Why?”

Carol Tambor said: “I had greatly anticipated coming back to Fringe 2022 after two impossibly long years away. As ever, I wanted to see well-developed work, suitable for transfer to New York and elsewhere. Because the two-year hiatus was so dispiriting, I wanted to provide an extra incentive for companies to present their plays, postponed and postponed again. All these works promise to be the excellent, polished pieces I’d want to see. I hope the Incentive Awards provided the extra funds to make them even better. Break a leg!”

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society,said: “I am delighted to announce the winners of the 2022 Carol Tambor Incentive Award, which champions live performance and supports new theatre at the Fringe. After the ups and downs of the last two years, generous funds such as this are vital in supporting artists both financially and creatively. We are massively grateful for the generosity of The Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation in recognising these artists and supporting them in taking new work to Edinburgh’s stages this August.”

The Search Is Over: Winners of Gaelic Film Competition FilmG revealed

The winners of this year’s prestigious Gaelic short film competition FilmG 2022 were announced last night (Friday, February 25) in a special awards ceremony on BBC ALBA.
 

Many of the winners across the 17 prize categories were brought into the FilmG studio by video link to accept their award and chat with programme hosts and competition stalwarts Fiona MacKenzie and Niall Iain MacDonald.

The specially created awards programme was shown on BBC ALBA last night and is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days afterwards.

Films followed this year’s competition theme Lorg, which means search, find or trace, and with over 90 filmmakers attempting to find the winning formula, the judges had a tough job whittling down the entries over multiple days.

Parker Dawes (14), a pupil at Ardnamurchan High School in Strontian, West Lochaber, scooped three awards – Best Young Filmmaker, Best Film Fluent Speakers and Best Production, for his slapstick spy thriller Spies-R-Us.

Parker said: “We chose the spy topic because it was opposite to the film we made last year which didn’t win any prizes.

“We were interested to see if an action film could get different results – and it worked! I created a storyboard and we had crash mats so everything was well planned.

“I’ve always loved filmmaking and I’ve always looked up to FilmG. I’m really happy to get these awards because my friends and I were so sad when we didn’t win last year. It was great to be on that podium as a winner.”

An animation by Alina Brust from Edinburgh won ‘Best Film’ in the Open Category, the first time an animation has won this prize in FilmG.

‘An Taigh Solais’ follows a shepherd who is trying to find a lost sheep and has to shelter with her flock in an abandoned lighthouse to escape a storm. Due to the pandemic Alina had no access to university facilities so she made the entire film in her bedroom.

Alina (23) said: “I’m inspired by the Scottish landscape and coastline, especially the lighthouse and the cliffs around St. Abbs, one of my favourite places. And a lighthouse is a perfect setting for a weird and spooky story.

“Making this film was a great opportunity to combine my two passions of art and languages.

“I’m so grateful that all my hard work has paid off – as a Gaelic learner it feels like such a special achievement for me.”

Scooping the prize for Best Production (Under 12), Coignear air Chall (5 Lost Souls) by Sandbank Primary School in Dunoon follows five school friends as they take a spooky journey to one of the town’s historic landmarks.

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, ‘Thar Nan Sgòth – Beinn Eighe’ (Above the Clouds – Beinn Eighe) by Anndra Cuimeanach from Gairloch secured the prize for Best Documentary (12-17).

In the Open category a short documentary called ‘A’ Mhuir’ (The Sea) about wild swimming by the students at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the Isle of Skye who take part in the sport, has picked up two separate awards, Film Duthchais and Best Director (Anna Garvin).

Emily Murray (21), from Lewis, accepted the FilmG award on behalf of the class. She said: “Taking part in FilmG was a good opportunity to practice the skills we had learned in class, such as camera, sound and editing.”

Anna Garvin (23) from Oban, who is studying Gaelic in Media at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye, said: “I feel very honoured to have won this.  It was my first time directing and I learnt so much about the skills needed to direct from working on this film. 

“Entering FilmG was a great opportunity to use all the technical and production skills we had learnt so far to create a film that would be shown to a public audience.“

‘Am Buaile Dubh’ which takes a look around Am Buaile Dubh on the outskirts of Inverness, has secured the Best Performance award for the film’s producer and narrator, Eòghan Stiùbhart.

Eòghan (40), from Inverness, is a Gaelic teacher with over 5k followers on Instagram for his Scottish Gaelic learning videos. He’s also an advocate for men’s mental health.

He said: “I went to Am Buaile Dubh a lot through lockdown, it’s a great place to be outdoors and get exercise. It allows me to be in a little world of my own and helps my mental health.

“For this film I wrote a monologue about what the place means to me and paired this with my own and old images and maps to illuminate the place.

“Winning this award was a surprise and honour, it was really cool to win the big metal G.”

And ‘Eilean Lois’ (Lois’s Island) by Somhairle MacIain (Sorley Johnston) from Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, 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 won them the award for Best Student Film.

Former Bishopbriggs Academy pupil, Sorley (19), who is studying Gaelic Media at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye, said: “I entered FilmG because I wanted to showcase a film that I had made myself while I was still on my course and had access to all the editing equipment and software.

“I’m planning on putting the prize money towards equipment of my own so I can continue to make films after my course finishes.”

Debbie Mackay, Project Manager at CGS who deliver the project said: “It was another great year for entries, and we were especially impressed by the high level of storytelling and filmmaking skills amongst our youth categories.

“As the competition continues to grow, we see filmmakers push themselves to a higher standard year after year. It’s a privilege to be a part of the project.”     

Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Multi-platform Content at MG ALBA said: “FilmG has always been so important to Gaelic media as a whole and also to the individual filmmakers and groups who take part year after year.

“Seeing the talent coming through the ranks and refining their craft in order to pick up one of the coveted prizes is gratifying for all involved in Gaelic media, and testament to our ambition to continue to nurture an unrivalled Gaelic-speaking talent base both in front of, and behind the camera for years to come.”

All films from this year’s competition are available to watch on the FilmG website: www.filmg.co.uk

Further updates can be found on FilmG’s Social Media Channels:

www.facebook.com/filmgalba/ 
www.instagram.com/filmg_alba/ 
twitter.com/FilmGAlba