The winners of this year’s prestigious Gaelic short film competition, FilmG, were revealed on Friday night in front of a packed audience of 500 filmmakers, industry professionals, and FilmG enthusiasts at the SEC in Glasgow.

Hosted by BBC ALBA’s Siobhan Sutherland, the 17^th annual ceremony showcased an impressive range of films, including drama, documentary, and comedy, in separate under-18 and over-18 competitions.

Celebrating Outstanding Talent

The competition’s expert judging panel awarded top prizes based on originality, storytelling, technical execution, and overall impact.

Best Drama (-18) went to Parker Dawes for Air Choire, marking another milestone for the young filmmaker, whose first commissioned film, Dà Sgadan, aired on BBC ALBA last Christmas, all while still in high school. Parker is the most successful individual under 18 winner in the history of FilmG, with this being his sixth win.

Parker Dawes expressed his excitement: “Winning Best Drama means so much to me. I loved making Air Choire, and to see it recognised in this way is amazing. FilmG has played a huge part in my journey, and I’m grateful for the support and inspiration it has given me.”

In the 18+ competition, the Best Drama award went to AllanWith1Eils for their thrilling short, Falach-Fead, a twist on hide and seek that gripped the audience. Filmmaking couple Allan Crook and Eilidh Johnson are frequent FilmG entrants and similarly collected the top award two years ago.

Eilidh Johnson said: “We’re thrilled to win Best Drama! FilmG gives us a creative outlet, and it’s an honour to be recognised by the judges again. We always try to surprise the audience, so I’m really happy that’s worked, and hopefully, we can surprise them again in the future.”

Recognising Excellence Across the Board

FilmG also celebrated individual technical and performance excellence:

• Technical Excellence Award (-18) – Uilleam MacDonald (Am Fiùran)
• Technical Excellence Award (18+) – Rob MacNeacail (A’ Cluich)
• Best Performance (-18) – Lexie Jack (Cus)
• Best Performance (18+) – Rachel Kate MacLeod (Geama)

Public votes determined the FilmG Choice Awards, with Glen Urquhart High School’s Am Blà… taking the under-18 prize for their witty spoof of BBC ALBA’s An Là, while content creator Lauren Smith won in the over-18 category for Gàidhlig, a’ Choimhearsnachd agus Mise, an intimate exploration of her personal connection to the language.

FilmG Project Director Murdo MacSween said: “It’s inspiring to see over 500 attend the awards to help celebrate Gaelic short films, and we’re excited to see what the future holds not just for the winners but also those who might be spurred on by what they saw.”

Maggie Taylor, Head of Publishing at MG ALBA, which owns FilmG, added: “A huge congratulations to all our nominees and winners and a special thank you to Siobhan for keeping the audience captivated throughout the evening. The FilmG Awards continue to highlight the importance of Gaelic voices in Scotland’s storytelling landscape.”

The full FilmG Awards livestream can be viewed on the BBC ALBA YouTube channel.

FilmG 17 Winners

-18 Competition

FilmG Choice Award (-18)
Am Blà… by Glen Urquhart High School

Best Youth Group (-18)
Na Fuadaichean by Dingwall Gaelic Primary School

Best Performance (-18)
Lexie Jack for Cus 

The Creativity Award (-18)
Drogh Paitchyn by Bun-scoil Ghaelgagh, Isle of Man 

Power of Gaelic Award (-18)
Seanchas na Fairge by Staffin Primary School and CnaG 

Technical Excellence Award (-18)
Uilleam MacDonald for Am Fiùran 

Best Comedy (-18)
An Guth by CnaG Na Hearadh 

Best Documentary (-18)
FORSAN by Rosa O’Halloran 

Best Drama (-18)
Air Choire by Parker Dawes

18+ Competition

FilmG Choice Award (18+)
Gàidhlig, a’ Choimhearsnachd agus Mise by Lauren Smith

Best Music Video (18+)
Cailleach Mhòr Stadhlaigh by Evie Waddell

Technical Excellence Award (18+)
Rob MacNeacail for A’ Cluich

Best Cultural Film (18+)
Anne Againne by Mhàiri Gillies

Best Performance (18+)
Rachel Kate MacLeod for Geama

Best Comedy (18+)
A’ Cluich by Riochdachadh Rambling Celt

Best Documentary (18+)
Orient by Dàibhidh Ó Briain

Best Drama (18+)
Falach-Fead by AllanWith1Eils