Caithness Student Shortlisted For National Film Award

1st February 2009

Philip Todd from Wick is in the running to achieve a national film award. Philip, a former pupil of Thurso High School submitted an entry to FilmG, MG ALBA's innovative Gaelic online digital shorts competition, and has been shortlisted in the Best Performance section of the New Entrant category with a chance of winning £500.

The aim of the competition is to uncover creative talent for the new Gaelic television channel, BBC ALBA, in which MG ALBA is a partner. The winners will be announced at the FilmG awards ceremony on Friday 6 February in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.

Philip (18) is a student at the RSAMD in Glasgow studying Film Production and is a Gaelic Learner who also competed successfully at the Royal National Mod 2008 in Falkirk where he won two competitions. This followed on from success at Mod 2007 in Fort William where he also won two competitions on his first attempt at the National Mod. Philip also sings with the award-winning Melvich Gaelic choir which itself has had several successes at Mods in Scotland and also at the International Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland.

Philip's film, which he wrote and directed himself, is entitled "Bad Day" and also features Raymond Bremner from Thrumster. Gaelic translation was provided by Christine Stone who lives in Castletown.

Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA, said: "The response has been fantastic for our inaugural FilmG competition, attracting a large number of entries from all over the country and from as far afield as Toronto and Alaska. I have been especially impressed by the enthusiasm shown by school pupils who embraced the project so enthusiastically, despite the many other demands on their time and I wish everyone involved from Caithness all the very best on the night."

FilmG has been supported by many of Scotland's most successful film makers and script writers including Annie Griffin, Don Coutts, Robbie Fraser and Ian Finlay MacLeod. All the shortlisted films can be viewed online at www.filmg.co.uk

FilmG is MG ALBA's Gaelic online short film competition to seek out and nurture new on-screen and off-screen talent for Gaelic television and new media.

· 3 main categories: professional, new entrants and young people
· 3-5 minute short films or up to 60 seconds on a mobile phone
· 5 themes: Collision; Yikes!; Saturday night... ; New faces, new places; Dark and light

FilmG offered help and advice from a panel of professional mentors on the website, www.filmg.co.uk including BAFTA winning director Don Coutts, adventure cameraman Keith Partridge and award winning playwright and script writer, Iain Finlay MacLeod.

The winners will be announced at the FilmG awards ceremony on Friday 6 February in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness. The ceremony will provide live music from acclaimed Isle of Skye band, Injuns, with special guests in attendance and a chance to meet industry professionals.

About MG ALBA
MG ALBA, in partnership with the BBC, has launched BBC ALBA, which is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110. BBC ALBA is expected to become available on cable in due course. Subject to the BBC Trust's approval, BBC ALBA will become available on Freeview after digital switchover in 2010. More information on BBC ALBA can be had online at www.bbcalba.co.uk.

MG ALBA and the BBC have established a partnership to deliver digital television, radio and online services in Gaelic. BBC ALBA is broadcast under a BBC licence. To find out more about how the partnership works visit www.mgalba.com

MG ALBA is the operating name of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (Gaelic Media Service), which is funded by the Scottish Government and regulated by Ofcom. MG ALBA stands for Meadhanan Gàidhlig Alba, or Gaelic Media Scotland.