Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Applications are now being accepted for a fund dedicated to supporting Welsh language feature films with the potential for international cinematic success.
This initiative, known as Sinema Cymru, is a collaborative effort between S4C and Creative Wales, and it will be administered by Ffilm Cymru. The primary objective of Sinema Cymru is to nurture the development of a minimum of three feature films annually, with the ultimate goal of securing production funding for at least one of them.
This fund, totaling £180,000, has received financial backing from Creative Wales and is a part of the cooperative agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. It is now open to applications from experienced filmmakers based in Wales, offering the opportunity to secure up to £30,000 per project during the development phase.
Sinema Cymru’s mission is to elevate Welsh language cinema to international prominence by expediting the progress of independent Welsh language films that are daring, unconventional and possess the potential for global theatrical release. The program is particularly committed to amplifying the voices that have been historically underrepresented in the portrayal of the Welsh language and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in Welsh language filmmaking.
Dawn Bowden, the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport, and Tourism, underscores the significance of this fund as a testament to our dedication to fostering greater production of independent Welsh language films. This commitment is especially vital in light of the growing challenges faced by the industry, including the formidable presence of major streaming platforms. The fund’s core mission is to ignite creativity, elevate underrepresented voices, and serve as a vehicle for showcasing Wales and the Welsh language on the global stage. They eagerly anticipate witnessing the array of diverse and innovative ideas that will emerge during this funding round.
“Cinema is an emotional and entertaining experience, going beyond language and geographical barriers,” said Head of Scripting for S4C, Gwenllian Gravelle.
