Uist shortlisters
Two local films have been shortlisted FilmG Open Awards. The competition had a record number of entries this year, so to be on the shortlist is already a marker of success.
A team of young filmmakers from Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath joined the Uist Unearthed team to tell the story of Ùisdean mac Ghilleasbuig Chlèirich (Hugh, son of Archibald the Cleric), a 16th century villain whose dreadful deeds are still talked about today! Their film has been shortlisted under the Culture category.
Also in the running is a short film produced by Eriskay producers Eoina Rodgers, Veronice MacKinnon, Alasdair Lindsay, Jonathan Beaton and Danaidh Wilson. The film looks at the longstanding Eriskay tradition of the the Hogmanay Caisein. The Eriskay film is up for both the Culture category and for Best Film.
FilmG is a Gaelic short-film festival and competition promoting and encouraging all aspects of filmmaking. FilmG has been a significant development vehicle for BBC ALBA, with many of its participants going on to develop media careers and receive further industry recognition.
FilmG’s Project Manager, Murdo MacSween, said: “The competition was so strong this year and our judges had a very difficult time picking the nominees, calling it the ‘best year ever’.
“FilmG is about developing great Gaelic storytellers and filmmakers, and if this year’s nominees are anything to go by, the future of Gaelic broadcasting looks to be in safe hands!”
FilmG Project Executive at MG ALBA, Alison Bruce, said: “Each year we’re blown away by the creativity and high quality of the FilmG entries and this year is certainly no different.
“FilmG is a fantastic route to get noticed in Gaelic media and it’s encouraging to see so many talented individuals engaging with the competiton. We wish all nominees the very best of luck and look forward to seeing who picks up an award at this year’s awards ceremony in February.”
The winning films will be announced at the FilmG Awards on Thursday 16 February 2023 at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow.
Na Cullaigearan Na h-Èirisgeich
Eoina Rodgers, Veronice MacKinnon, Alasdair Lindsay, Jonathan Beaton & Danaidh Wilson. Gach Oidhche Challainn, bith na balaich òga ann an Èirisgeigh a’ cumail suas cleachdadh a tha a’dol air ais ceudan de bhliadhnachan. Bidh iad a’ falbh o dhoras-gu-doras air an eilean agus ag ràdh duan Gaidhlig aig gach taigh. Bidh iad cuideachd a’ cleachdadh coinneal sònraichte, ris an canamaid caisin. Tha an traidisean laghach tha seo a’ bàsachadh ach tha e fhathast air a chumail beò ann an Èirisgeigh. Tha am film seo a’ sealltainn dhuinn mar a bhios na h-Eirisgeich ag ionnsachadh na feadhainn òige gus an tradisean a chumail suas.
Each Hogmanay, the young boys in Eriskay maintain a tradition which goes back hundreds of year. They go from door-to-door on the island and recite a Gaelic poem at each house. They also use a special candle, which we call a Caisein. This tradition is slowly dying out but it is still kept alive in Eriskay. This film shows the process of the tradition being passed down from the older generation to the younger ones to maintain it.
Ùisdean Mac Ghilleasbaig Chlèirich
Uist Unearthed & Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath
B’ ann do Dhòmhnallaich Shlèite, meur cudromach de Chlann Dòmhnaill, a bha Ùisdean mac Ghilleasbaig Chlèirich. Chaidh a dhèanamh na bhàillidh air Uibhist a Tuath ann an 1580 AD le Dòmhnall Gorm Mòr, MacDhòmhnaill Shlèite, a bha càirdeach dha. Bhiodh am bàillidh a’ rianachd an fhearainn às leth an uachdarain, mar eisimpleir a’ togail a’ mhàil agus a’ cumail fhiadh na frìthe. Ach bha droch rùn aig Ùisdean, agus dh’fheuch e MacDhòmhnaill Shlèite a mhurt. Mar a tha am film seo, air a cho-riochdachadh le sgoilearan Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath, a’ sealltainn, cha deach a’ chuilbheart mar a bha e an dùil!
Ùisdean mac Ghilleasbuig Chlèirich is still known locally as a dastardly villain. Ùisdean mac Ghilleasbuig Chlèirich (Hugh, son of Archibald the Cleric), was a member of the Sleat branch of the influential Clan Donald. Around 1580 AD, he was granted Factorship of North Uist by his relative Donald Gorm, chief of the MacDonalds of Sleat. Being the Factor meant that he oversaw the clan’s territories in North Uist – collecting rent from the tenant farmers and managing stocks of wild game. However, Ùisdean had greater ambitions, and soon began plotting against his chief. As our animation co-produced with the pupils of Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath shows, this ended up going poorly for him!
