The young film-makers of Islay High School were jubilant last night (5th February) at the FilmG Awards at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.

Pictured above and below, they won no fewer than two awards with their entry, An Tur (The Tower):  the Best Production in the Young People category; and the Peoples’ Choice award, which is awarded on an online vote..

All entries in FilmG were up for the Peoples’ Choice Award, including both those entered into the Young People category and Adult category – so this is a tremendous achievement for the school pupils, particularly since all entries were considered to be of a very high calibre.

Ardnamurchan High School (below), in historic Argyll, won Best Film in the Young People’s category for An Texan a’ Tilleadh Dhachaigh.

Donald Campbell CEO of MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service today praised emerging creative talent in Scotland, following FilmG, MG AlBA’s Gaelic online digital shorts competition, aimed at unearthing creative talent in the Scottish media industry.

The competition, in its second year, was again a resounding success, attracting high quality entries from all over Scotland and many international productions. Creative ideas ranged from chilling ghost stories to animations, action and adventure.

FilmG’s award ceremony was held at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness with guest presenter Joe Thomas, who stars as Simon Cooper in the BAFTA nominated British sitcom, The Inbetweeners.

Alongside him were some of Scotland’s most successful film makers and script writers who have supported FilmG. The award ceremony culminated with live entertainment from BBC ALBA Rapal winners, Niteworks.

Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA, said: ‘Congratulations to the pupils from Islay High School on winning Best Production in the Young People category. They were up against stiff competition in the final.

‘In addition, winning the People’s Choice Award was an excellent achievement given the calibre of entries in both the young people and adult categories and is testament to the level of their creative talent.

‘For the second year running, FilmG has attracted an excellent calibre of entries throughout the country all of whom have shown great ambition and creative talent.

‘Our aim is to help develop creative talent in Gaelic media through FilmG, and we were extremely impressed with the range of imaginative interpretations of this year‘s theme ‘Gaisgeach’.

‘I would like to thank everyone who participated this year and hope that as FilmG develops, more will participate next year in the competition as it offers an excellent opportunity for those interested in pursuing a career in Scotland’s screen industries.’

The Islay High School Production is a mysterious narrative with a young schoolgirl daydreaming in class, realising that what she sees is prophetic and going on to struggle with the no man’s land between dream and reality.

As we said when we reported that their film was in the finals of the FilmG Awards, Bowmore had better stand by for an outbreak of shades, spray tan and cries of  ‘Darling and – let’s hope’ – roaring ambition.

FilmG’s website carries further information and lets you view all winning entries.

Andy Wallis, who teaches English and Media Studies at Islay High School and who runs the filmmaking group whose work has been so signally recognised by FilmG, also publishes a blog – where all the insider information on this great communal achievement is to be found. Check it out.

The photographs above are reproduced here by permission of MG ALBA and show:

• top: Emma and Anndra from Rapal with Islay High School:Gillian McGregor, Christianne MacGregor, Sherylyn Jackson, Alice Hathaway, Tristan Rosier-Tucker – winners of ‘Best Production’ (YP)
  
• second: Moira MacDonald with Islay High School: Gillian McGregor, Christianne MacGregor, Sherylyn Jackson, Alice Hathaway, Tristan Rosier-Tucker -  winners of the ‘People’s Choice Award’
• third: Emma and Anndra from Rapal with Àrd-sgoil Àird nam Murchan:Kaite Nic a’Phi, Alasisdair Begg, Connor Leighton, Holly Nic a’Dhaibhidh, Reece MacAoidh, Kay Malcolm, winners of ‘Best Film’ (YP)
  
• bottom:  guest presenter Joe Thomas (left), with Donald Campbell, CEO of MG ALBA.

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