Film Producer Quits Bafta in Oscar Row

"BAFTA toppers have been taken aback by the strength of Scottish protests. Privately, they admit that a London-based jury might not be the best way in future to make the U.K.'s Oscar choice, given that candidates typically come from the distant Celtic fringes, where languages other than English are still spoken." Adam Dawtrey, Variety

A film producer has resigned from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts because he said they will not put forward his Gaelic film for an Oscar. Edinburgh-born Christopher Young is angry that Seachd: The Inaccessible Pinnacle has not been nominated for the foreign language category.

He said the decision was "explicitly anti-Gaelic". 

Bafta said it had considered making a submission on three occasions and stood by its decision. In a statement, Bafta said it would only submit a film it considered "outstanding".

Seachd sees a young boy's life hijacked by his dying grandfather, leading the youngster to the Inaccessible Pinnacle. Sgurr Dearg - the red peak - is considered one of the most treacherous climbs on Skye . The film tells the story of a boy's quest for the truth behind his dying grandfather's "fearful stories". Scenes were shot on the Cuillin ridge on Skye.

Mr Young told BBC Scotland he had been given no explanation for the film not being nominated. He said: "I think it is explicitly anti-Gaelic. It is a decision that's been made against films that are not in English."

Mr Young added: "I think there is a huge attitude problem there. I think it's an ignorant decision." The producer said nominations had helped other foreign language films - such as Ten Canoes and Mel Gibson's Apocalypto - attract viewers.

Simon Millar, the director of Seachd, said he was "utterly flabbergasted" the film had not been nominated. He said: "I guess on some objective level we have received good enough reviews to reach a level of quality that you would have that would be acceptable enough for us to be put forward."

Bafta said a sub-committee of elected members of its film committee had viewed the entries for the foreign language award and had decided not to submit a film.  The statement said: "Following a direct appeal from the filmmaker of Seachd, the film committee reopened this matter and discussed it at length but decided the decision should stand."

Bafta's board of trustees also considered the matter.

A full report on the controversy can be found in movieScope Newstalk. This article is based on one that originally appeared on BBC News Online.

Netribution article on Seachd

Shooting People interview with Simon Miller, Seachd director