Islay pupils win gold at national FilmG awards
were celebrations on Islay following a win for Islay High School at this year’s national Gaelic film ceremony, FilmG, in Glasgow.
FilmG is an annual event organised by MG ALBA, which celebrates Gaelic screen talent and attracts hundreds of applications each year.
The theme of this year’s competition was Strì/Endeavour which inspired entries from promising young filmmakers and screen writers from across Scotland.
A total of 105 applications were submitted, with Islay High’s
Air Splaoid being crowned the winner of the Learner’s Award in front of a star-studded audience. Air Splaoid tells the story of a group of five friends who are on their way to the mainland to attend the FilmG awards when they discover that the ferry has been cancelled.
Determined to attend the event, the friends go on a mission to find alternative transport, with a few funny mishaps along the way.
The film was created by Ryan Johnson (S5), Isobel Ferguson and Lewis Davey (S4) and Abbie and Morvern Brown (S1). Isobel Ferguson also recorded her own music for the film and Romy Mitchell (S6) helped with the editing.
Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for Gaelic, Councillor Robin Currie said: ‘I was in attendance at the awards ceremony, and when Islay High School was announced the winner of the Gaelic Learner’s Award I could not have been more proud.
‘All the entries were first class but it was great that Islay High School came out on top. Not only have they helped to put Islay on the map through the use of the Gaelic language, but they have also created a wonderful depiction of island life.
‘I’m very pleased as the policy lead for Gaelic that this year, for the first time, Argyll and Bute Council sponsored one of the categories at the awards. This shows our commitment to the growth of the Gaelic language.’
Head Teacher at Islay High School, Stephen Harrison said: ‘I’m delighted for the students as they have given up a lot of their own time and have worked really hard.
‘What is particularly pleasing is how well they collaborated given the wide range in ages to produce such a high quality creative product. I would particularly like to thank Lynn NicDhomhnaill, from Commun na Gaidhlig, with whom Islay High School has a partnership to deliver the John Muir Award through the medium of Gaidhlig.
‘Lynn supported the students throughout the filming process and her enthusiasm and commitment was clearly infectious.’