Gaelic language commissioning
Às Ùr | DIGITAL CREATOR CALLOUT
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?
MG ALBA is looking for bold new voices, fresh ideas and new Gaelic-language talent.
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:
• Lo-fi, digital-first comedy. Think Michael Aldag ; Short Stuff
• Youth-focused factual pieces. Think A view from the bridge; Meditations of an anxious mind; Saith tip Nick i ddysgu Cymraeg! Seven controversial tips to help you learn Welsh;
• Lifestyle & Arts content with personality and flair. Think arts, culture, health, food, sport etc. ie Caroline McQuistin; Homophobia in 2018 | Time for Love; Travelling Solo: Van Life in Scotland
• Fun, escapist, short form entertainment, ie Weather forecast with a Twist ; Marjolein Robertson ; Beadai
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 below
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)
o Glasgow: 18 Feb 2026
o 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
BBC ALBA COMMISSIONING ROUND, AUTUMN 2025
BBC ALBA aims to deliver content to Gaelic viewers that is rooted, relevant and relateable. At the same time we are ambitious and outward-looking, determined to celebrate our language and culture on a world stage.
We are seeking proposals for bold factual programmes that can win a wide audience, as well as creative ideas that can achieve critical recognition for the channel.
COMMISSIONING PRIORITIES
• We are looking for high-impact factual content. Programmes with compelling characters and contemporary issue-led stories are particularly welcome.
• We will consider returning factual entertainment series that have performed well with audiences.
• We also welcome high-impact content aimed at a younger audience, 18-35.
• In this round we are not prioritising general historical subjects – although we will consider sports stories that have a recent historical dimension; or stories that have a clear contemporary resonance, an innovative approach, or expressions of interest from other broadcasters.
• We are not looking for proposals that are essentially music performances with a factual wraparound. However, we will consider in-depth, narrative-led music documentaries.
• Although co-funding isn’t essential, we are keen to see proposals which already have other funders/broadcasters attached
SCHEDULE PRIORITIES
• This round is primarily for content delivering into the 2026 linear schedule, iPlayer and BBC ALBA YouTube.
• We’re looking for distinctive, eye-catching peak-time content for the 9pm slot on the linear schedule - but which will also make an eye-catching impact on iPlayer.
• iPlayer-first and BBC ALBA YouTube series ideas are welcome. At the heart of iPlayer and YouTube proposals should be a compelling format that will hook viewers from the get-go. Episodes should be fast-paced, bold and colourful with bags of wit and attitude with a clear storytelling and visual style for digital first content.
FORMATS AND DURATIONS
• We will consider single programmes and short series in factual.
• We can take a flexible approach to durations.
• We will consider ambitious feature-length single documentaries that have a cinematic/festival life cycle before appearing on linear TV. Feature documentaries should have co-funding attached or a credible co-funding finance plan in place.
CO-FUNDING
Priority will be given to ideas that take into consideration further funding such as, but not limited to:
• Creative Scotland's Broadcast Content Fund
https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/targeted-funding/screen
• Tax reliefs (via BFI tax credits certification)
https://www.bfi.org.uk/supporting-uk-film/british-certification-tax-relief
SUBMISSIONS
Proposals should be one or two pages (max) and must include:
• Title. This should be short, snappy and searchable – a few memorable words that instantly sum up the programme for viewers scrolling through iPlayer. Please provide a Gaelic and English version.
• Format. The number of programmes and their duration.
• Target audience. What demographic is the programme aimed at?
• Programme price. Cost per programme and/or for the full series (as appropriate).
• Logline. The programme idea in a nutshell.
• Treatment. A summary of the story with detail of the key on-screen people (including a taster reel), the creative approach and visual style. If you’re pitching a multi-parter tell us what makes it hooky and why the audience will want to return for more.
• Access. Provide detail on what access to subjects and stories you’ve secured. This must be based on actual conversations - not speculation.
• Mock-up of an iPlayer thumbnail. A visual and graphic representation of the content; how will it catch the viewer’s eye and encourage them to watch?
• Two or three strong supporting images
• Key production talent
• Digital media. What are the digital and social plans for this idea? Please add a short synopsis of digital assets, from reels to short clips, that will enhance the linear content and can be used as standalone content as well as generating interest in the linear programme.
• Marketing hooks and opportunities
Please ensure that all these elements are included in your proposal.
We welcome taster reels although they’re not essential. However, if new talent is involved an audition reel is crucial.
Please do not attach talent names to your submissions unless they have been approached and expressed interest.
DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS
Deadline for ideas: Monday 29th September, 5pm
Once all the submissions have been received the Commissioning Team will discuss them in detail and shortlist what we consider to be the most compelling and suitable ideas for this round.
We will then arrange to meet with Producers to discuss the shortlisted projects. This will be an opportunity to explore the ideas in greater depth.
We plan to meet with Producers either in person at Pacific Quay in Glasgow or online on the 9th / 10th October and the 20th / 21st October.
Following these meetings we aim to share commissioning decisions on the 31st October.
Submissions and any questions on anything contained in this Commissioning Round should be addressed to Claire MacDonald and Jennifer MacKenzie at: [email protected]
Who we are
- Head of Gaelic Services & Inclusion: Margaret Mary Murray
- Director of Content Additionality: Margaret Cameron
- Commissioning Editor: Bill MacLeod
- Commissioning Executive: Fiona MacKenzie
- Commissioning Executive: Calum McConnell
