FilmG festival finishes year on a high with record-breaking entries
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GAELIC short-film festival FilmG has announced a record-breaking year with the most-ever film entries in its 15-year history.
With 106 films entered, FilmG 15 is the competition’s most successful year since its inception in 2008.
Months of scripting, filming and editing have taken place across Scotland, with FilmG staff and tutors running over 50 workshops and events in schools and communities across the country.
In the Open competition, FilmG more than doubled the entries compared to the previous year, with 24 entries.
The Youth competition saw 82 films entered through the fantastic efforts made by schools, community groups and an impressive number of young independent filmmakers.
An MG Alba-owned brand, FilmG continues to be a crucial development tool for BBC Alba and the Gaelic media industry under the new management of Astar Media, who took over the project delivery this summer.
With a focus on independent filmmaking and creating development pathways, Astar Media hopes to take FilmG from strength to strength over the coming years.
Managing Director at Astar Media, Murdo MacSween, said: “We’ve set a high benchmark now for FilmG, and we can’t wait to celebrate this year’s successes at our awards ceremony in February.
“We’re delighted that our approach has worked so well, and we’re excited to bring all of this year’s filmmakers with us on a journey to make Gaelic media and storytelling even stronger, all while using Gaelic in such a contemporary setting.”
Filmmakers were tasked to create short films (under five minutes) based on the theme of Buidhe (Yellow), a nod to FilmG’s eye-catching branding, with films being considered across 17 categories.
A panel of independent judges in the media profession will choose which films they want to see shortlisted in each category.
MG Alba’s Brands Communication Manager Alison Bruce said: “Well done to all of the filmmakers who entered this year’s FilmG competition.
“It's great to celebrate 15 years of the competition with the highest number of entries to date and we continue to be wowed by the incredible commitment shown by everyone who takes part.”
The FilmG Awards will take place in the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow on Thursday, February 16 2023, a return to a live event for the first time in two years, with a highlights programme to be broadcast on BBC Alba.
Films are now available on the FilmG website (www.filmg.co.uk), with the public voting element going live once the shortlists are announced in early January.
