VOTING has opened in this year’s FilmG Gaelic Short Film Competition, after a record-breaking number of entries were received.

A massive 103 entries were submitted, including 23 films to the open category, 75 films made by young people aged five to 18, and five scripts. They are all available to watch online.

Voting for The People’s Choice Award is open until the end of January. Shortlists chosen by a panel of media professionals will be announced and the winners will be unveiled an awards ceremony on February 14.

This year, filmmakers were tasked with making films relating to the theme “Treoraich,” which means guide or lead.

Eilidh Rankin, FilmG project manager, said: “It’s been a joy to go through this year’s entries. We are delighted to see numbers growing year on year – a sign that the competition is increasing in popularity.

“It’s also really exciting to see such a breadth of topics and genres being covered, and the overall quality of the films is so high.

“It’s great to see familiar faces returning to our screens, as well as new talent coming to the fore.”

Industry entrants include Glasgow-based freelance filmmaker Hamish MacLeod. His documentary film Aig an Oir (The Edge) follows Lochalsh-born climber Kenny Rankin.

Filmmaking student Tommy Hammond’s documentary celebrates the work of two influential Gaelic teachers in his old school.

Queen Margaret University student Cara Turner explores a world where guidance on all of life’s issues comes at the touch of a button in her drama film, Effy.

Napier University student Joseph Flower’s film Sgiuradh (Scrubbing), follows a washing woman who has secret powers, as she quietly solves problems for her neighbours.

In the Highlands and Islands, comedy was popular this year. Kilmuir Drama Club in north Skye adapted a stage play for screen in Buth nan Eisg (The Fish Market) which follows a cheekily-named proprietor, and a variety of weird and wonderful staff and customers as they go about their business.

There are also entries from primary and secondary schools in the Highlands and islands an beyond. Visit www.filmg.co.uk to see this year’s entries.