MG ALBA is looking for bold new voices, fresh ideas and new Gaelic-language talent.

Written By Mahesh Ramachandra

Are you the next Amelia Dimoldenberg? Can you entertain like the Sidemen? Are you as funny as whatsername1.0? Most importantly, can you do it with a strong, authentic, Gaelic voice?

Our mission? To nurture new and emerging Gaelic creators, help them connect with each other, and grow our youth audience across digital platforms.

If you’re creative, charismatic and have stories that young Gaels want to hear, we want to hear from you.

What’s on offer

Up to 20 creators will be selected to join us for an in-person idea development + pitching event in 2x Scottish locations, where you’ll get:

  • Hands-on workshops designed to help you develop your idea and pitch

  • To Connect with other Gaelic creators from across Scotland

  • The opportunity to pitch your idea in front of a select panel of industry professionals

From there, five creators will be chosen for commissioned pieces, including:

  • Mentoring from industry professionals

  • Training workshops

  • A production budget

  • Distribution on BBC ALBA platforms, or other digital platforms

What we’re looking for

We want ideas that feel fresh, contemporary and unmistakeably Gaelic - content that speaks directly to young Gaels, but has the spark to go beyond that audience too.

Content ideas can be one-offs, or a series that sits authentically on YouTube OR TikTok / Instagram / YouTube Shorts.

Your idea could be:

Format expectations

  • Duration: as per platform / story needs

  • All genres welcome

  • Platforms / Format: YouTube (16:9) OR TikTok / Instagram / YouTube Shorts (9:16)

  • Ideas must appeal to Gaelic speakers and learners aged 18–35, and showcase the diversity of Gaelic culture

  • Budget will be based on ideas

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to:

  • Aged 18+

  • Gaelic speakers - from learners to fluent speakers

  • Based in Scotland, with the right to work

  • Can demonstrate on-screen experience, i.e. on own social media platforms, or by sending a test tape.

If you’ve got something to say in Gaelic and the creativity to say it your way, we want to hear from you.

How to apply

  1. Create your free SMASH Pitch at app.mysmash.media

  2. Build your Snapshot using the required elements above

  3. Hit ‘Share Project’ and select BBC ALBA on the Call Out page

  4. Submit before 23 January 2026

What to include in your SMASH pitch

Your SMASH Snapshot must include:

  • Logline

  • Format, genre, setting and runtime

  • Brief bio and any relevant examples of previous work

  • Short synopsis

  • Creative vision — why this, why now, why you

  • Visual references (Thumbnail mock-up / visual style references)

Applications missing these elements won’t be accepted.

Protecting your IP

Your ideas stay yours. SMASH automatically timestamps and securely stores everything you upload, giving you a verifiable digital record of ownership. Your pitch is only shared when you choose, with the people you choose. This is Pitch Protection — so you can share your work with confidence.

Key dates

  • Submission Deadline: 23 January 2026

  • Shortlist Announced: 6 February 2026

  • Pitch Workshop (mandatory for shortlisted creators)

    • Glasgow: 18 Feb 2026

    • Stornoway 20th Feb 2026

  • Live Pitch: On day of Pitch workshop

  • Location: Scotland

T&Cs

  • If commissioned, you agree to attend relevant training workshops (up to 5x days)

  • If commissioned, you will be expected to comply with all BBC & MG ALBA policies (under guidance of Mentor)

  • If commissioned, you agree to immediately disclose anything you may have done in the past or present which could bring the BBC into disrepute

  • You will receive mentorship + support throughout production

  • Training workshops will run between Feb – May

  • Production period will be between May – Sept

  • Commission rate will be between £300 - £800 per piece, depending on idea + scope

About MG Alba

MG ALBA (Gaelic Media Service) work with our partners, stakeholders, producers, and communities to ensure that Gaelic audiences are informed, educated, and entertained in Gaelic. Across a range of platforms, and through our brands, we provide opportunities to enjoy Gaelic media content whenever you want, wherever you are.

Bidh MG ALBA (Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig) ag obair le com-pàirtichean, luchd-ùidh, riochdairean agus a’ choimhearsnachd gus dearbhadh gum faigh luchd-àmhairc Gàidhlig fiosrachadh, foghlam agus dibhearsan tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Thairis air taghadh ùrlaran, agus tro ar saoghal, bidh sinn a’ tabhainn chothroman tlachd fhaighinn à susbaint nam meadhanan Gàidhlig, uair sam bith, ge bith càit a bheil thu.

About My SMASH Media

SMASH is the pitch builder and pitch protector for creators. It helps you build a professional, shareable pitch deck that can be discovered by industry decision-makers. SMASH is free for creators. Upgrade to SMASHPro for SMASHCupid support & advanced tools to make your pitch perfect.

Às Ùr | GAIRM AIRSON LUCHD-CRUTHACHAIDH DIDSEATACH

An tusa an ath Amelia Dimoldenberg? Bheil thu ri cleas mar na Sidemen? Bheil thu cho èibhinn ri whatsername1.0? Nas cudromaiche buileach, an urrainn dhut a dhèanamh le guth làidir, fìor Gàidhlig?

Tha MG ALBA a’ sireadh ghuthan ùra dàna, beachdan ùra agus tàlant ùr sa Ghàidhlig.

Carson? Tha sinn airson luchd-cruthachaidh Gàidhlig ùra agus iadsan a tha a’ tighinn am bàrr àrachadh, an cuideachadh gus ceangal a dhèanamh ri chèile, agus ar luchd-cleachdaidh òg a leasachadh thar ùrlaran didseatach.

Ma tha thu cruthachail, carismatach agus ma tha sgeulachdan agad a tha Gàidheil òga airson a chluinntinn, tha sinn airson cluinntinn bhuat.

Na tha ri thabhann

Thèid suas ri 20 luchd-cruthachaidh a thaghadh a thighinn còmhla rinn gus leasachadh bheachdan cruinn còmhla + cothrom taisbeanaidh ann an dà àite ann an Alba, far am faigh thu:

• Bùthan-obrach practaigeach air an dealbhadh gus do chuideachadh le bhith a’ leasachadh do bheachd agus do thaisbeanadh

• Cothrom ceangail ri luchd-cruthachaidh Gàidhlig eile bho air feadh Alba

• An cothrom do bheachd a thaisbeanadh air beulaibh pannal de phroifeiseantaich gnìomhachais

Às an sin, thèid còignear luchd-cruthachaidh sònraichte a thaghadh airson pìosan coimiseanaichte, nam measg:

• Meantoradh bho phroifeiseantaich gnìomhachais

• Bùthan-obrach trèanaidh

• Buidseat riochdachaidh

• Sgaoileadh air ùrlaran BBC ALBA, no ùrlaran didseatach eile

Na tha sinn a’ sireadh

Tha sinn ag iarraidh bheachdan a tha a’ faireachdainn ùr, co-aimsireil agus gun teagamh Gàidhlig - susbaint a bhruidhneas gu dìreach ri Gàidheil òga, ach aig a bheil an spionnadh a dhol nas fhaide na an luchd-cleachdaidh sin cuideachd.

Faodaidh beachdan susbaint a bhith nan tachartasan aon-uaire, no sreath a tha gu nàdarrach a’ suidhe air YouTube NO TikTok / Instagram / YouTube Shorts.

Dh’fhaodadh do bheachd a bhith:

• Comadaidh ‘Lo-fi', a tha fìor didseatach. Smaoinich air leithid Michael Aldag:; Short Stuff

• Pìosan fìrinneach a tha ag amas air òigridh. Smaoinich air leithid A view from the bridge; Meditations of an anxious mind; Saith tip Nick i ddysgu Cymraeg! Seven controversial tips to help you learn Welsh;

• Susbaint dòigh-beatha agus ealan, le pearsantachd agus tàlant, leithid Caroline McQuistin; Homophobia in 2018 | Time for Love; Travelling Solo: Van Life in Scotland

· Dibhearsain spòrsail goirid, ie Weather forecast with a Twist / Marjolein Robertson / Beadai

Cruth

• Fad: a rèir feumalachdan an ùrlair / sgeulachd

• Fàilte air a h-uile gnè

• Ùrlaran / Cruth: YouTube (16:9) NO TikTok / Instagram / YouTube Shorts (9:16)

• Feumaidh beachdan a bhith tarraingeach do luchd-labhairt agus luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig eadar 18–35 bliadhna a dh'aois, agus iomadachd cultar na Gàidhlig a thaisbeanadh

• Bidh am buidseat stèidhichte air beachdan

Cò as urrainn tagradh a dhèanamh

Tha an cothrom seo fosgailte do:

• Aois 18+

• Luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig - bho luchd-ionnsachaidh gu luchd-labhairt fileanta

• Stèidhichte ann an Alba, le còir obrachaidh

• Comasach air eòlas air an sgrion a shealltainn, m.e. air na h-ùrlaran meadhanan sòisealta agad fhèin, no le bhith a’ cur test tape thugainn.

Ma tha rudeigin agad ri ràdh sa Ghàidhlig agus an cruthachalachd airson a ràdh nad dhòigh fhèin, tha sinn airson cluinntinn bhuat.

Mar a chuireas tu a-steach iarrtas

1. Cruthaich do SMASH Pitch an-asgaidh aig app.mysmash.media

2. Tog do Snapshot a’ cleachdadh nan eileamaidean riatanach gu h-àrd

3. Brùth air ‘Share Project’ agus tagh BBC ALBA air duilleag Call Out

4. Cuir a-steach ro 23 Faoilleach 2026

Na dh’fheumas tu na do phitch SMASH

Feumaidh na leanas a bhith san tagradh agad:

• Logline

• Cruth, gnè, suidheachadh agus fad

• Bio goirid agus eisimpleirean de dh’obair a rinn thu roimhe

• Geàrr-chunntas air do bheachd

• Sealladh cruthachail — carson seo, carson an-dràsta, carson thusa

• Iomradh air dealbhan & stoidhle (ie eisimpleir thumbnail / stoidhle)

Cha tèid gabhail ri tagraidhean aig a bheil na h-eileamaidean seo a dhìth.

A’ dìon do IP

Bidh do bheachdan fhathast leatsa. Bidh SMASH gu fèin-obrachail a’ cur stampa-ama air agus a’ stòradh gu tèarainte a h-uile rud a luchdaicheas tu suas, a’ toirt dhut clàr didseatach dearbhte de shealbh. Chan eil do phitch air a cho-roinn ach nuair a thaghas tu, leis na daoine a thaghas tu. Is e seo Pitch Protection - gus an urrainn dhut an obair agad a cho-roinn le misneachd.

Prìomh chinn-là

• Ceann-latha airson tagraidhean: 23 Faoilleach 2026

• Geàrr-liosta air ainmeachadh: 6 Gearran 2026

• Bùth-obrach air tairgsean (èigneachail do luchd-cruthachaidh air geàrr-liosta)

a. Glaschu: 18 Gearran 2026

b. Steòrnabhagh: 20 Gearran 2026

• Taisbeanadh Beò: Air là a’ bhùth-obrach air tairgsean

• Àite: Alba

T&Can

· Ma thèid do choimiseanadh, tha thu ag aontachadh a bhith an làthair aig bùthan-obrach trèanaidh buntainneach (suas ri 5 latha)

· Ma thèid do choimiseanadh, thathar an dùil gun cùm thu ri poileasaidhean BBC & MG ALBA (fo stiùireadh am Meantor)

· Ma thèid do choimiseanadh, tha thu ag aontachadh innse sa bhad mu rud sam bith a dh’fhaodadh tu a bhith air a dhèanamh san àm a dh’fhalbh no an-dràsta a dh’fhaodadh droch chliù a thoirt air a’ BhBC

· Gheibh thu coidseadh + taic tron ​​riochdachadh

· Bidh bùthan-obrach trèanaidh a’ ruith eadar a’ Ghearrain agus a’ Chèitein

· Bidh an ùine riochdachaidh eadar a’ Chèitein agus na Sultaine

Bidh an ìre coimisein eadar £300 - £800 gach pìos, a rèir a’ bheachd + an raoin

Mahesh Ramachandra
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