Welsh Government Funds New Film Project Set in 1980s Wrexham

A new Welsh-language film titled Awen, set in the 1980s in Wrexham, has received significant funding from the Welsh Government. The financial support comes through Sinema Cymru, a collaborative initiative aimed at promoting Welsh-language cinema. Written by Teleri Hughes, the film explores the lives of two sisters aspiring to escape their declining mining town for broader opportunities, questioning whether global success is worth the sacrifices made along the way.

In total, six projects have been awarded funding through Sinema Cymru as part of a broader effort to cultivate Welsh-language feature films. This initiative, which is a partnership among S4C, Ffilm Cymru Wales, and the Welsh Government via Creative Wales, aims to advance at least one of these projects into production funding. The fund provides up to £30,000 for projects ready for production within 12 months, with smaller grants of up to £10,000 available for earlier development stages.

Sinema Cymru is dedicated to elevating Welsh-language films on the global stage by fast-tracking independent, bold, and unconventional projects with the potential to secure international cinema releases. Alongside financial support, the program offers tailored career development for creative teams, enhancing their capacity to bring unique Welsh narratives to life.

Welsh Government’s Commitment to Film Development

Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, expressed pride in the selected projects, highlighting the richness of creative talent in Wales. He stated, “These six exceptional projects demonstrate the depth of creative talent we have here in Wales. From powerful stories of identity and belonging to bold explorations of grief and resilience, each film showcases the strength and vitality of Welsh language storytelling.” Through Sinema Cymru, the Government is committed to supporting filmmakers in sharing distinctive Welsh voices with audiences around the world.

This latest round of funding builds on the success of the inaugural funding period, which saw four projects, including Gorllewin Gwyllt, Pijin, Lluest, and Estron, selected for feature development in 2024/2025.

Support for Homegrown Talent

Head of Film and Drama at S4C, Gwenllian Gravelle, remarked on the significance of announcing the second round of funding recipients. She emphasized it as a testament to the strength of Welsh filmmakers and the universal appeal of Welsh-language stories.

Additionally, Gwenfair Hawkins, Development and Production Executive at Ffilm Cymru Wales, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with local talent on these new projects. She noted, “We are delighted to work again through Sinema Cymru with exceptional homegrown talent on these six new exciting film projects. They all speak to the specificity and beauty of our language and culture, through exploring stories that have global appeal and resonance.”

With the support of Sinema Cymru, the future looks bright for Welsh-language cinema, promising to bring innovative and culturally rich films to a wider audience.