BBC ALBA and MG ALBA have joined forces with BBC Film and Screen Scotland on a Gaelic-language feature film development opportunity.
The initiative looks to build on the international success of films such as Arracht, An Cailín Ciúin and Kneecap, while drawing inspiration from Scottish-produced films. The initiative is calling on Gaelic storytellers with experience in screenwriting, theatre, literature or other narrative forms, to submit feature film ideas that reflect the power of Gaelic language and culture. Productions should be predominantly Gaelic-language. Up to two selected projects will receive development funding and creative guidance.
Margaret Mary Murray, head of Gaelic services at BBC Scotland, said: “The BBC/MG ALBA partnership is always looking for creative and innovative ways to evolve our offer to audiences. It’s great to have this new development take shape and I’m excited to see where this opportunity takes us.”
Margaret Cameron, director of content at MG ALBA, added, “It’s been a long-held ambition to move into this area, to create projects that can exist in cinematic and festival spaces as well as television and to contribute to the incredible growth of screen activity in Scotland.”
Kieran Hannigan, head of scripted at Screen Scotland, added. “This is an incredibly exciting development for Gaelic features and represents the real desire of all involved to see long-form Gaelic content reach an international audience. Having recently partnered with BBC ALBA on An t-Eilean, an upcoming web series and several short films, we are excited by the breadth of talent in this country and partnering with BBC Film adds a crucial element, enabling projects to take that next vital step-up.”
The deadline for submissions is October 19.
