Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – This week, Cardiff is abuzz as the Welsh animation scene receives a financial boost, propelling promising projects forward. Thirty-one digital media and TV ventures based in Wales have secured funding from Creative Wales. This initiative aims to bolster indigenous production teams, nurturing their projects for greater chances of commissioning, green-lighting, and eventual production.
With up to £35,000 per project, a total of approximately £840,000 has been allocated across various endeavors spanning animation, television, gaming, and immersive technology. Notable beneficiaries include Riot Times Pictures and Pokedstudio, unveiling new animations, alongside Sugar Creative Studio’s venture into game development.
This funding surge coincides with Cardiff playing host to a vibrant four-day animation festival at the esteemed Chapter arts centre.
Pokedbots, created by Pokedstudio headquartered in Cardiff, is a pilot episode for an animated series set in the year 2043, portraying a world besieged by formidable and malicious robots. Jonathan Ball, the Illustrator and Founder of Pokedstudio, indicated that their inspiration for Pokedbots stems from a non-fungible token collection that completely sold out a few years back. This pilot represents a thrilling expansion of their universe.
He further indicated that the support from Creative Wales empowers them to engage local animators and design experts, fostering the growth of the animation sector based in Wales.
Hannah Blythyn, who is the Minister for Creative Industries for Wales, says “The funding I’m announcing today will support brand new home-grown projects from Wales’ creative industries which, in turn, will enable further growth in the sector.
Cardiff Animation Festival receives partial funding from the Welsh Government’s Event Wales, aligning with the fresh major event strategy. This support aims to foster the festival’s ongoing progression and expansion across its upcoming editions in 2026 and 2028. The festival serves as a platform for celebrating Wales’ national identity, language, and culture via the art of animation. Additionally, it strives to enhance accessibility and promote audience engagement, reaching out to diverse demographics and fostering an inclusive festival environment that offers opportunities for skill development.
