BAFTA has defended its position not to submit acclaimed Gaelic film Seachd for consideration for next year's Oscars.

The national film body said it would only submit a film to the Oscars if it was deemed to be "outstanding" - and it judged that Seachd was not, in its eyes, of this standard.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has not submitted any British film to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for consideration in the Best Foreign Language category at next year's Oscars.

Christopher Young, the Scottish producer of the film, has resigned from Bafta after the decision, and questions will be asked in the Scottish Parliament today about the row.

However, last night Bafta told The Herald that it had reviewed its decision and stood by it. "As the organisation appointed by the American Academy to select a UK entry for the Oscars Foreign Language Film Award, Bafta formed a sub-committee of the elected members of the film committee," it said in a statement.

"The sub-committee viewed the entries and the decision was made not to submit a film this year.

"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 stands by the decision and will not be submitting a film this year."