And we’re not talking boxers here – or only if they’re Gaelic speaking pugilists.

Alex Salmond, visiting today (27th August) the inspiring and wonderfully located Gaelic College on Skye, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, announced funding to help train aspiring film-makers.

The First Minister  ‘confirmed’ (Aha – is this a version of Wendy Alexander’s infamous re-announcements? The word ‘confirmed’ is suspicious) £10,000 Scottish Government funding and £15,000 from Bòrd na Gàidhlig to support skills training for entrants to the Gaelic language short-film competition, FilmG.

He was specifically visiting Cànan, the Gaelic language creative multimedia company based at the mouthwatering Fas Centre at Sabhal Mor Ostaig and delivering the competition awards.

Diversion

Before we move on, we have a funny anecdote about Canan, Sabhal Mor Ostaig and the BBC HQ in London. Back in 2003, some of us, i an earlier incarnation, were involved in running a film and media conference there (in English – sorry). In the publicity work we were ding we had journalists from some BBC Radio arts programmes coming to Skye to interview some of the paticipants, from London-based Tiger Aspect, Dundee-based computer games creatives, Caithness’s Grey Coast Theatre Company and Canan.

We hgad suggested the spectrum of intervieees to the Beeb, including Canan’s CEO, Donella Beaton. We got an email reply confirming their interest but referring to Donatella Beaton. They then had a sense of humour failure when we made a crack about London fashionistas not seeing beyond the catwalk.

Film G, the film shorts competition, skills training and the money

FilmG was launched by MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service, in 2008. It was aimed at discovering new talent for development on the Gaelic digital channel, BBC ALBA and to produce significant new Gaelic content for the web.

The competition, now in its third year, has attracted more than 100 Gaelic films its first two years, all of which are available for viewing online. The competition includes training in production, scriptwriting, directing, camera, sound, editing and Gaelic.

Mr Salmond said: ‘I’m pleased to be at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig again to meet the college’s senior management and delighted to hear of the positive impact FilmG is having and the opportunities that the competition is creating.

‘The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the number of Gaelic speakers, enhancing the place of Gaelic education, improving the status of the language across Scotland and supporting Gaelic-speaking communities. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig plays a key role in helping us meet our objectives – promoting Gaelic language and culture, making a distinctive contribution to further and higher education in Scotland, revitalising the rural economy of Skye and forming important international links.

‘The Scottish Government is also a strong supporter of MG ALBA. The FilmG Awards is a tremendous initiative that in its first two years has already inspired many talented and creative people in Scotland. The competition provides exciting opportunities for entrants to take their first few steps towards a career in the screen industries. I’m delighted to announce £25,000 funding from the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig to support the training of those taking part in this year’s FilmG Awards.”

Alasdair Morrison, Chairman of MG ALBA, said: ‘FilmG has unlocked a whole new area of creative talent among Gaelic speakers of all ages. We are delighted that the project has the support of the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, as well as the continued support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and many other organisations, and we look forward to seeing this year’s crop of new films in December when they come available online’.

Arthur Cormack, Cathraiche of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: ‘Bòrd na Gàidhlig is delighted to support FilmG once more.  The Bòrd’s Action Plan to increase numbers of Gaelic speakers, Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig, calls for opportunities for young people, particularly those in Gaelic medium education, to use Gaelic in a creative way and build up positive associations with the language outside the classroom.  Participation in FilmG is one way in which this can be realised and we wish it continued success’.

Donella Beaton, Chief Executive of Cànan (see above under Diversion), said: ’108 Gaelic films have been made through FilmG and over 300 people have participated in training so far. Today’s announcement will allow us to expand our adult training programme and support more than 20 schools throughout Scotland. The quality of the films received show that the money is well spent’.

You can enter if you don’t speak Gaelic – yet

This year’s FilmG theme is ‘Làmh an Uachdar’ (‘The Upper Hand’) and both Gaelic and non-Gaelic speaking entrants are being encourage to take part to showcase their creative talent on screen. FilmG can offer additional opportunities in the Gaelic digital media industry if successful, with the first winner of the competition having had his short production shown at international film festivals throughout the world.

More information is on the FilmG website.