FM visits Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

First Minister visits Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

Funding announced to support skills training in Gaelic short-film competition

Funding of almost £40,000 to help train aspiring young film-makers was announced by Alex Salmond today during a visit to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye.

The First Minister confirmed that a £25,000 grant from Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG) and £14,100 direct Scottish Government support would fund skills training for entrants to the 12-to-17-year-old category in this year’s FilmG competition.

FilmG is MG ALBA’s short film competition, which aims to uncover new talent for development on the Gaelic digital channel BBC ALBA and to produce significant new Gaelic content for the web, and was first launched in 2008.

The First Minister announced the funding as he visited Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, where he also met with Principal Boyd Robertson and other senior college staff to discuss a range of issues. Mr Salmond also meet some of the Scottish and international students attending the summer school.

He said: ‘I’m pleased to visit Sabhal Mòr Ostaig again, to meet the Principal and senior management and to see first hand the excellent work being undertaken at the college to enhance the place of Gaelic education and strengthen the status of the language across Scotland.

‘It is also encouraging to hear about the positive impact which FilmG has had and the opportunities it has created in its first three years – inspiring many young people to consider careers in the screen industries.  I am delighted to be able to confirm today that the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG) will support the competition this year, by funding workshop sessions for 12-to-17 year olds.

‘The workshops provide young people with many of the experiences and outcomes outlined in the Curriculum for Excellence, including enhanced skills in literacy, language, numeracy and the expressive arts. FilmG offers an opportunity to build confidence, social awareness and help realise individual talents.’

The competition, now in its fourth year includes two categories – one for 12-to-17-year-olds and one for adults. FilmG also provides a comprehensive training programme for both categories throughout Scotland covering front of camera, production, scriptwriting, directing, camera, sound, editing and Gaelic. FilmG is delivered by Cànan, the creative multimedia company based in the Fàs Centre at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.

Last year’s competition resulted in 324 young people taking part in training workshops and 54 per cent more films being created compared to the previous year. In the adult competition, there were 34 films entered, with a total of 84 adults participating in training activities. This year, community groups are also being encouraged to consider making a documentary, telling their story, for which there will be a specific prize.

Arthur Cormack, Cathraiche (Chair) of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: ‘In seeking to increase numbers of Gaelic speakers there must be opportunities for young people to use Gaelic in a creative way in order to build up positive associations with the language outside the classroom.  Bòrd na Gàidhlig recognises the impact of FilmG in this regard and our increased contribution will assist in providing workshops for young people in schools across Scotland, allowing a new generation to develop and use their Gaelic skills in creating new, short films.’

Donella Beaton, Chief Executive of Cànan, said: FilmG provides young people with an opportunity to use their Gaelic in an engaging and contemporary way.  Today’s support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Scottish Government will allow us to work with more schools, more intensively, throughout Scotland. I’m confident that this support will be reflected in the films we receive at the end of the year

Alasdair Morrison, Chairman of MG ALBA, said: ‘Since its inception three years ago, FilmG has unearthed a number of talented people showing great enthusiasm and aptitude for working in the Gaelic media industry. In particular, the competition embraces the younger generations from our Gaelic speaking communities, helping to strengthen and encourage their skills and we have been delighted at the excellent calibre of entries from the 12-17 age group.

‘The workshops offer fantastic training for those with a keen interest in filmmaking and allow young participants to learn a variety of skills required in making a short film from leading industry experts. We are delighted with today’s announcement which will allow us to develop the workshops further and help nurture some of the untapped creative talent in the Gaelic community.’

Background:

Images from today’s visit will be available for download today at www.flickr.com/scottishgovernment.

MG ALBA’s FilmG was conceived and is managed by Cànan the creative media, language resource and design company based at the Fàs Centre on the Isle of Skye. See www.filmg.co.uk and www.canan.co.uk

There are two main competitions, one for adults with no previous director or producer broadcast credits and one for entrants aged between 12 and 17. This is to ensure that the project focuses specifically on bringing new talent to the fore. Both competitions will culminate in a gala awards ceremony in February.

FilmG has received support for its training programme from a range of organisations including: Highlands & Islands Enterprise, RSAMD, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and the University of the West of Scotland, in addition to the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig funds announced today.

Am Prìomh Mhinistear a’ tadhal air Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

Maoineachadh airson co-fharpais Gàidhlig.

Tha am Prìomh Mhinistear Ailig Salmond air maoineachadh faisg air £40,000 fhoillseachadh airson taic trèanaidh a’ thoirt do dhaoine òga le iarrtas film a chruthachadh, an uair a bha e aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig an-diugh.

Dhearbh am Prìomh Mhinistear gum bi tabhartas £25,000 a’ tighinn bho Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG) agus £14,100 bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba. Tha an t-airgead seo airson cuideachadh a thoirt do dhaoine òga a tha a’ gabhail pàirt anns a’ cho-fharpais sa bhann-aoise 12-17 aig FilmG am-bliadhna.

’S e MG ALBA a thoisich FilmG ann an 2008 ’s bidh an co-fharpais ag amas tàlant ùr a lorg airson an t-seanal didsiotach  BBC ALBA agus airson stuth sònraichte ùr a chruthachadh airson an Eadar-lion.

’S ann an uair a bha am Prìomh Mhinistear aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a’ coinneachadh ris a’ Phrionnsabal Boyd Robasdan agus prìomh luchd-obraichean eile a fhoillsich e fios mu dheidhinn seo. Fhuair e cothrom coinneachadh le oileanaich eadar-nàiseanta a bha an làthair sgoil shamhraidh.

Thuirt e: ‘Tha mi toilichte tadhal aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a-rithist airson coinneachadh ris a’ Phrionnsabal agus prìomh luchd-obraichean eile. Tha e a’ toirt cothrom rium fhaicinn airson mo shon fhèin an obair sgoinneil a tha dol aig a’ Cholaiste airson suidheachadh foghlam Gàidhlig a neartachadh agus inbhe na cànain a leasachadh air feadh na dùthcha.

‘Tha e cuideachd brosnachail cluinntinn mu dheidhinn an deagh bhuaidh a tha aig FilmG agus na cothroman a tha e air a chruthachadh ann an tri bliadhna – a ‘ spreagail muinntir òg obair a thaghadh ann an gnìomhachas ceangailte ri telebhisean. Tha mi air leth toilichte dearbhadh an-diugh gu bheil Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig air taic a chur ris a’ cho-fharpais , le maoineachadh airson buidhnean-obrach airson clann sa bhann-aoise 12-17.

‘Tha na buidhnean-obrach a’ toirt eòlas do dhaoine òg air na tha anns an Curraicealam airson sàr-mhathais, a’ toirt a-steach sgilean ann an litearrachd, cànan, àireamhachd agus na h-ealain. Tha FilmG a’ toirt cothrom misneachd, mothachadh sòisealta agus tàlant pearsanta a neartachadh.’

Tha an co-fharpais a-nis anns an ceathramh bliadhna le dà dhuais ceangailte ris – aon airson clan òg aois 12-gu-17 agus aon airson inbhich. Bidh an co-fharpais a’ toirt a-steach trèanadh ann an riochdachadh, sgrìobhadh, stiùireadh, obair camara, fuaim, obair deasachadh agus Gàidhlig. ’S e Cànan, an companaidh meadhanan stèidhichte aig Aonad Fàs aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a tha ga stiùireadh

An-uiridh ghabh 324 neach pàirt ann an bùithtean-obrach trèanaidh agus chruthaich iad 54% film a bharrachd an coimeas ri FilmG a bhòn-uiridh. As a’ cho-fharpais airson inbhich, bha 34 film ann le 84 inbhich a’ gabhail pàirt ann an obair trèanadh. Am bliadhna tha duais sònraichte ann airson buidheann coimhearsnachd a chuireas aithriseachd còmhla ag innse sgeulachd na coimhearsnachd.

Thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Cathraiche Bhòrd na Gàidhlig: ‘Ann a’ strì ri bhith a’ meudachadh nan àireamhan de luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig, feumaidh cothroman a bhith ann do dhaoine òga a’ Ghàidhlig a chleachdadh ann an dòighean cruthachail gus caidreachas deimhinneach a thogail leis a’ chànan taobh a-muigh a’ chlasruim. Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig a’ tuigsinn na buaidhe a tha aig FilmG a thaobh seo agus cuidichidh ar meudachadh taic le buidhnean-obrach do dhaoine òga ann an sgoiltean air feadh na h-Alba a chur air bhonn, a’ toirt cothrom do ghinealach ùr an sgilean Gàidhlig a leasachadh agus a chleachdadh ann an cruthachadh fhilmichean goirid ùra.’

Thuirt Donella Beaton, Ceannard Cànan: ‘Tha FilmG a’ toirt cothrom do dhaoine òga a’ Ghàidhlig a chleachdadh ann an dòigh inntinneach agus tarraingeach. Le taic bho Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Riaghaltas na h-Alba ’s urrainn dhuinn a bhith ag obair le tuilleadh sgoiltean, agus gu ìre nas fheàrr, air feadh Alba. Tha mi misneachail gum bi film sam bi a gheibh sinn aig deireadh na bliadhna air buannachd bhon taic seo.’

Thuirt Alasdair Moireasdan, Cathraiche MG ALBA ‘On thòisich e o chionn trì bliadhna, tha FilmG air grunnan dhaoine tàlantach a thoirt gu solas a tha dealasach agus comasach a bhith an sàs ann an gnìomhachas nam meadhanan Gàidhlig.  Gu sònraichte, tha a’ cho-fharpais a’ gabhail a-steach nan ginealaichean as òige bho na coimhearsnachdan sa bheil a’ Ghàidhlig air a bruidhinn, a’ cuideachadh ann a bhith a’ neartachadh agus a’ brosnachadh an sgilean agus tha sinn air leth toilichte leis an t-sàr thaghadh a chaidh a chur a-steach sa bhann-aoise 12-17′

Fiosrachadh:

Tha dealbhan bhon diugh rim faotainn aig:
www.flickr.com/scottishgovernment.

’S e Cànan, an companaidh meadhanan stèidhichte aig Aonad Fàs, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a thoisich agus a tha a’ stiùireadh FilmG. Airson fios:
www.filmg.co.uk agus www.canan.co.uk

Tha dà phrìomh cho-fharpais ann, aon airson inbhich nach ro riamh ag obair mar stiùiriche neo riochdaire agus aon airson compàirtiche aois 12 gu 17.

Tha seo airson dèanamh cìnnteach gu bheil am pròiseact a’ cur fòcas air talent ùr a lorg. Bidh an dà cho-fharpais a’ criochnachadh le Oidhche Duaisean an ath bhliadhna, Gearran 2012.

Tha FilmG air maoineachadh fhaighinn airson program trèanaidh bho iomadach buidheann mar: Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean, RSAMD, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig agus Oilthigh na h-Alba an Iar a bharrachd air maoineachadh bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig a tha air ainmeachadh an-diugh.