Latest news with #MGALBA
South Wales Argus
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Welsh speakers develop Celtic connections in exchange
The Celtic Exchange programme, developed by the British-Irish Council, united young creative professionals to learn new media skills and co-create multilingual content. They also explored their common cultural roots. As part of the programme, participants travelled through the Western Isles, meeting filmmakers, content creators, and musicians, to learn how these ancient languages are part of their modern creative work. They discovered more about the similarities between their languages and cultures, building a network to develop ideas and multilingual content in the future. Ifan Prys, who works at Rondo Media and took part in the exchange, said: 'The trip was a unique opportunity to meet other Celtic language content creators, to share ideas and strengthen the networks between the linguistic communities. 'The programme was full of varied and rich activities. We had the opportunity to network with MG ALBA and BBC Alba and with local producers, discussing our opportunities, challenges and ambitions. 'The opportunity to learn, share and inspire alongside creative people from diverse linguistic backgrounds was invaluable. It has really reinforced the importance of continuing to work creatively in our languages.' Bethan Campbell from Boom Cymru was inspired by collaborating with fellow Celts. "The trip to Scotland was a very special experience," she said. "The activities were valuable and very diverse." The young creatives gained hands-on experience by producing multilingual content, which premiered at the 2025 Celtic Media Festival in Newquay, Cornwall. Welsh language secretary, Mark Drakeford, said: "The Celtic Exchange programme celebrates our living languages and supports young people to build creative careers using their indigenous languages, wherever they choose to live and work. "We're proud to work with our partners across the nations to grow our languages, strengthen our cultural connections and help people develop opportunities and careers in their indigenous languages.'
Scotsman
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
MG ALBA's Margaret Cameron receives special recognition at RTS Scotland Awards
The Royal Television Society (RTS) Scotland hosted its annual awards ceremony on Friday (6 June) where Margaret Cameron, director of content at MG ALBA, was honoured with the prestigious RTS Scotland Special Recognition Award. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Presented by singer and actress Shereen Cutkelvin, alongside Still Game star Sanjeev Kohli, the award celebrates those whose exceptional contributions have made a lasting impact and are widely respected within the Scottish television community. The RTS Scotland Committee presents the award to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding excellence in Scottish broadcasting and television. RTS Scotland champions the gold standard of television excellence in Scotland, recognising outstanding achievements in programme making, broadcasting and contributions that shape the industry's future. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The regional awards, held at the iconic Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow, also recognised other prominent figures in Scottish television, including Ashley Jensen, Peter Capaldi and Michelle McManus. Margaret Cameron, MG ALBA - RTS Scotland awards Margaret Cameron, director of content at MG ALBA, said: 'It was a true honour to be awarded the Special Recognition Award at the RTS Scotland ceremony. The RTS Scotland awards are testament to the creative effort behind first class television productions in Scotland, including MG ALBA's partnership with BBC ALBA to bring Gaelic content to screens across the country. It's more important than ever that Gaelic content is recognised and celebrated as part of the Scottish industry. 'My thanks to the RTS Scotland Committee, both for the award and for recognising work supporting the Gaelic language, and to my colleagues at MG ALBA and the BBC whose support is everything. Congratulations to all the recipients of this year's awards.' Dan Twist, chair of RTS Scotland, said: "The RTS Scotland Awards stand as a definitive celebration of the finest talent in Scottish television. This year's outstanding nominees and winners reflect the strength and resilience of a thriving Scottish TV industry, even in the face of widespread sector challenges. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "RTS Scotland is proud to continue its unwavering commitment to supporting, educating and championing talent across all areas of the industry — both on screen and behind the scenes.'
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Grand Prix win for Gaelic language drama An t-Eilean at Prix CIRCOM 2025
MG ALBA has achieved a major international milestone, taking home the coveted Grand Prix at last night's Prix CIRCOM 2025 awards – the highest honour in the prestigious European television awards. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Grand Prix win was awarded to Black Camel Pictures' acclaimed Gaelic-language crime thriller An t-Eilean (The Island), which had already been named winner of the Drama and Entertainment category earlier in the evening at the gala award ceremony in Barcelona. In a surprise announcement, the series was also revealed as the overall winner across all genres. Set against the elemental landscape of the Outer Hebrides, An t-Eilean (The Island)is a compelling crime story that follows a family caught up in a murder investigation very close to home. When their mother is found murdered in the family castle, four adult children return to the Scottish island of their birth as their father is questioned over her death. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Commissioned by BBC ALBA and produced by Black Camel Pictures, with funding from MG ALBA, Screen Scotland, Black Camel Pictures and All3Media International, the drama premiered in the UK on BBC ALBA in January 2025, becoming the best performing Gaelic programme since the channel's inception. A further broadcast window was also secured on BBC Four earlier this year. Drama and Entertainment category award accepted by (L-R) actor Sorcha Groundsell (who plays lead Kat Crighton in An t-Eilean), Black Camel Pictures' Arabella Page Croft, and MG ALBA director of content, Margaret Cameron The Grand Prix 2025 accolade crowns a year of renewed momentum for the Prix CIRCOM awards, which saw a 22 per cent rise in entries and an influx of new broadcasters joining the competition for the first time. Judging took place in April with winners selected by a panel of industry professionals from across 15 European regional public service outlets. John Morrison, Chair of MG ALBA, said: 'Winning the Grand Prix is an incredible achievement for a Gaelic show, placed at the pinnacle of Europe's regional television industry by our peers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'MG ALBA has been working with a tight and diminishing budget for years and it was a calculated gamble by the Board of MG ALBA to invest all of our drama budget for a whole year in one short box set. But we were confident in the story, the cast and the production team. So were our funding partners and the BBC. An t-Eilean has already broken audience records for a Gaelic show, and it is very rewarding for everyone involved to win two awards in this prestigious ceremony. High quality drama needs a serious budget and increased investment by the Scottish Government would allow us to build on this success.' An t-Eilean / The Island David Swetman, SVP scripted content at All3Media International, added: 'We're so pleased that the appeal of Black Camel's wonderful drama has been recognised with the top award from the CIRCOM jury of European broadcasters in Barcelona.' Arabella Page Croft, Executive Producer at Black Camel Pictures, said: 'Thanks so much to the jury! Wonderful to win the Grand Prix at the CIRCOM awards celebrating European television drama production. We share this award with our hugely talented cast, crew and creative commissioners and financiers who adventured with us!' David Smith, Director at Screen Scotland, said: 'This is a fantastic win for the An t-Eilean team. The popularity of this ambitious series and the recognition it has received, including this award, is an incredible vote of confidence in the strength of Gaelic language drama.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chosen from across all category winners, the Grand Prix recognises the single most outstanding programme of the year. While regional winners receive prior notice, the winner of the Grand Prix is announced live on the night, at the CIRCOM Annual Conference. Grand Prix award accepted by (L-R) Chair of MG ALBA, John Morrison, Black Camel Pictures' Arabella Page Croft, and actor Sorcha Groundsell (who plays lead Kat Crighton in An t-Eilean) Commending the diverse offering within the entries for the Prix CIRCOM 2025, Chair Marina Ramos of RTP, Portugal, said: 'We found many very good stories, great productions, and specially commissioned content that let us see and enjoy beautiful landscapes and regions all over Europe and different kinds of culture. All that is very important for public service media to offer to consumers. 'Our selection for Grand Prix was the drama An t-Eilean (The Island). And the reason is simple: we have all seen murder series from all over the world but this is a very great production, high quality, good story, great actors, beautiful landscape and, above all made in the Gaelic language, showing us a region in Scotland, with magnificent natural features. Livestock, castles and so on.' The Prix CIRCOM 2025 jury report noted: 'There is beautiful scenery, imposing castles and wonderful views of natural beauty. The drama matches well to this specific scenery and setting. The acting is splendid: it's intense and you don't want to stop watching. The production values are high and this is an ambitious production. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is very fascinating and impressive that the drama is produced in the Gaelic language. This will help spread knowledge of the language when making such quality entertainment for a wider audience. Good dramas are made all over the world – but this is special.'
