Film ‘s Craic and MG ALBA are proud to announce that the first ever all Gaelic film festival will take place between 22nd January until 24th January 2009 at the CCA, Glasgow, presented as part of the world renowned Celtic Connections festival. Film ‘s Craic with MG ALBA will be supported by a three day programme of ground breaking musical collaborations from the award winning Gaelic Club – Ceól ‘s Craic.
Over three days Film ‘s Craic will showcase some of the most acclaimed and evocative Gaelic programmes broadcast in recent years. These screenings will be supported by talks from leading film makers, presentations to kick start debate around current issues in Gaelic film making and access to an impressive Gaelic film archive during the length of the festival.
In an insight into Gaelic culture in Scotland, Ireland and beyond in the Scottish diaspora, the programme includes films such as Adventure: Sulasgeir [1962] which features the intrepid men of Ness on the Isle of Lewis on their annual hunt to catch the Guga. Lip Service is set on the day of the oral Irish exam in a North Dublin Community School. And Na h-Eilthirich: North Carolina charts the journey of the first Gaelic emigrants.
Another highlight of the programme is ‘Raising the Standard’ featuring Artistic Director of Celtic Connections, Donald Shaw, as it follows his band Capercaillie in a spectacular concert filmed at Glenfinnan, as they perform the songs of the Jacobite uprisings.
Ceól ‘s Craic with Colmcille is a programme of music events which sees collaborations between artists such as Gaelic mouth musician Norrie MacIver and New York beat box artist Quest, Norman Blake from Teenage Fanclub and Euros Childs with Nuala Kennedy and The Parsonage. Workshops will run in Creative Writing (Gaelic), Puirt-a-Beul (mouth music), Box Playing, Sean nos dancing and Cainntaireachd [chanting] in an insight into how Gaelic culture survived following the events of 1745 when the Jacobite uprisings saw attempts to quash Gaelic culture.
A series of talks completes the programme and are a chance to look at the Scottish Screen Archive, the Gaelic/ English divide and an insight into BBC ALBA the new Gaelic TV Channel.
Rona Macdonald, Gaelic Arts Development Officer for Culture and Sport Glasgow, and also the producer of Ceol’s Craic: ‘I’m really excited about the programme of events that we are putting on in conjunction with MG ALBA. Its not often that we have an opportunity to celebrate Gaelic culture in this way and we look forward to welcoming lovers of Gaelic, music and film and those with an interest in learning more to the CCA in January.’
Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA said: “MG ALBA welcomes the opportunity to bring to audiences in Glasgow some gems from the Gaelic film and video archive. With our own channel, BBC ALBA now underway this is an opportunity to enjoy some of the best of what came before and hopefully enter into discussion about what makes truly great Gaelic programmes.”
Celtic Connections Artistic Director Donald Shaw said: “Gaelic culture has always been very close to the heart of Celtic Connections, and forms a hugely important strand of the festival each year. These events at the CCA are an exciting addition to our programme, with the 2009 festival featuring a wealth of native Scottish Gaelic musical talent.”
For full programme details please see the attached document.
All events take place at the CCA. The film screenings and workshops are free but ticketed [although tickets are limited] and tickets for the live music events are £12.50 To book call 0141 353 8000 or visit www.celticconnections.com