THE controversial documentary chronicling the building of the Holyrood parliament was last night honoured at the Scottish Bafta awards.
The Holyrood Files, a condensed film version of the fourpart television series, The Gathering Place, picked up the best documentary award at a ceremony in Glasgow.
Before it was broadcast earlier this year, the documentary provoked an ugly spat between MSPs and the BBC over access to interviews with Donald Dewar, the late first minister, and Enric Miralles, the architect who died before the building was completed significantly over budget and years behind schedule.
Kirsty Wark, the broadcaster whose television company IWC Media produced The Gathering Place, was also criticised over alleged impartiality:
she was a friend of Mr Dewar and part of the hand-picked team which chose Mr Miralles as the Holyrood architect.
IWC Media, which was formed by a merger with a rival firm owned by Muriel Gray and which is currently involved in takeover negotiations with RDF, the London independent producer, also won an award for producing Location, Location, Location, which was judged the best factual programme by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in Scotland.
On A Clear Day, a comedy drama about a man who decides to swim the English Channel, won the best film award. The film, directed by Gaby Dellal and starring Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn and Billy Boyd, was chosen ahead of Festival and A Woman in Winter.
Chris O'Dowd won best actor in a Scottish film for his role in Festival, playing an Irish comic at the Edinburgh Fringe, while Annie Griffin won best director for the same movie.
Shirley Henderson was honoured with the best actress in a Scottish film award for her portrayal of an obsessive sister in the thriller, Frozen.
Iain Smith, the Glasgowborn producer whose credits include Local Hero, Cold Mountain, The Fifth Element and Alexander, was acknowledged with a prize for outstanding achievement in film.
In the television awards, Sea of Souls emerged ahead of Taggart and Monarch of the Glen to win the best drama award, while the comic capers of Jack and Victor in Still Game secured the prize for best entertainment programme.
Veteran sports presenters Bill McLaren, Archie Macpherson and Arthur Montford also picked up special awards for their contribution to Scottish broadcasting at last night's gala awards ceremony, hosted by Jenni Falconer, the GMTV presenter, at the Radisson SAS Hotel.
THE WINNERS
FILM
Best Short Film Dupe
Best Animation A Bus Ride and Flowers in Her Hair
Best Documentary The Holyrood Files
Best Screenplay Alex Rose for On A Clear Day
Best Actress in a Scottish Film Shirley Henderson for Frozen
Best Actor in a Scottish Film Chris O'Dowd for Festival
Best Director Annie Griffin for Festival
UGC Audience Award Night People
Best Film On A Clear Day
Outstanding Achievement in Film Iain Smith
TELEVISION
News and Current Affairs Frontline Scotland - Home Truths: The Real Cost of Care
Children's Balamory
Factual Location, Location, Location
Drama Sea of Souls
Documentary The Fighting McIlroys
Gaelic Language Eorpa: Arandora Star
Entertainment Still Game
Special Contribution to Scottish Broadcasting Bill McLaren, Archie Macpherson and Arthur Montford
NEW TALENT
Best New Work Can't Stop Breathing
Best First Time Director Samir Mehanovic for The Way We Played
Best New Screenplay Gregor Barclay for The Immeasurable Joy
Best First Time Performance Kellyanne Farquhar for Monarch of the Glen
BEST INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Aig Cridhe Ar Ciuil, Seonaid MacLeod and Donald I MacDonald
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