Monico Movies
Monico Movies to screen its final film in July 2025

After 10 hugely successful years, the final curtain will soon fall on much loved community cinema Monico Movies.

In 2015, a group of local movie enthusiasts were invited by filmmakers Viv and Harley Jones to discuss the idea of opening a community cinema, screening a variety of films. Rhiwbina Community Cinema – a not for profit, volunteer led cinema – was born. It was named Monico Movies as a tribute to the much missed local cinema ‘The Monico’ which opened in Rhiwbina in 1936 and closed in 2003.

Monico Movies started from scratch with no equipment. However, screening films was initially made possible through the loan of equipment from Film Hub Wales and, after the first year as a community cinema group, funding was secured from the Big Lottery to buy a projector and screen.

Monico Movies hosted its first screening, The Grand Budapest Hotel, in October 2015 at Canolfan Beulah. Since then, shows have been held on the 2nd Saturday of each month for ten years. More than 200 films have been screened, attracting a loyal audience, with up to 80 people attending
each month. Five local shops – Serenade, Victoria Fearn Gallery, Ginger Whites, Deri Stores and the Honey Pot – have also supported Monico Movies, by selling tickets. This continued support by the audience and ticket outlets has ensured the community cinema’s ongoing success.

In volunteering to plan and host an annual film programme, the dedicated crew have contributed time and skills, including web and poster design, social media publicity, film research, administration and projection. The volunteer group curated a varied programme across a range of different film genres. These included world cinema, independent films, old favourites, forgotten classics and new releases. One memorable highlight was screening Buster Keaton’s silent movie, The General, with live piano accompaniment. Monico Movies has also been proud to showcase local film makers.

Monico Movies revived the tradition of a regular, local cinema experience for the community in Rhiwbina. Having achieved the milestone of 10 years, the group members have decided the time is right to retire – to hang up the film reels, put away the usherette’s tray and dim the lights one last time.

The final Monico Movies show will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday 12th July 2025, when the Welsh made film ‘Mr Burton’, about the early life of actor Richard Burton, will be screened and the audience of Monico Movies will celebrate their love of cinema one last time.

Contact: Harley Jones

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The image is a collage of various scenes from Welsh film festivals, it shows groups of people watching films and participating in festival events, reading festival programs, and engaging in activities. There is also the “Sinemaes” tent, a person wrapped in a rainbow flag, and a couple holding a pink Instagram frame prop, smiling.
O animeiddio i'r awyr agored: Darganfod 40 o Wyliau Ffilm Cymru
Mai 2025

Oeddech chi'n gwybod bod Cymru'n gartref i 40 o wyliau o bob siâp a maint? Mae llawer o'r rhain yn ymroddedig i ffilm, neu mae ganddynt gynigion ffilm rheolaidd. P'un a ydych chi'n wneuthurwr ffilmiau newydd sy'n chwilio am le i lansio'ch ffilm fer nesaf, neu os ydych chi'n mynychwr brwd o’r sinema sy'n chwilio am y ffilmiau newydd gorau, mae ein gwyliau Cymreig are ich cyfer.

Yng Nghanolfan Ffilm Cymru, rydym yn gweithio gyda gwyliau ffilm, gan eu helpu i ddod â'r ffilmiau annibynnol a rhyngwladol gorau yn y DU i gymunedau Cymru drwy gydol y flwyddyn. Mae gwyliau yn chwarae rhan hanfodol yn y gadwyn ffilm. Maent yn arddangos talent newydd, yn aml yn eu helpu i sicrhau asiantau gwerthu a bargeinion dosbarthu - cyrraedd cynulleidfaoedd newydd gartref a ledled y byd. Maent hefyd yn adnabyddus am ddigwyddiadau arbennig, dewisiadau ffilm unigryw a beiddgar nad yw cynulleidfaoedd efallai yn eu gweld mewn mannau eraill a lle i'r diwydiant a'r cyhoedd ddod at ei gilydd.

Group of people sat on chairs on stage in front of a cinema screen in front of an audience.
Iris Prize Festival © Jon Pountney

Felly pa wyliau sy'n aros i gael eu darganfod ar garreg eich drws yng Nghymru? Wel, mae o leiaf 40 (rydyn ni'n gwybod amdanynt) ac nid yw hyn yn cynnwys y llawer mwy o ddigwyddiadau teithiol sy'n ymddangos mewn sinemâu yn ystod y flwyddyn a gwyliau celfyddydol ehangach sy'n sgrinio ffilmiau o bryd i'w gilydd. Mae 34 o'r rhain yn ddigwyddiadau Cymreig yn benodol ac mae 6 yn ddigwyddiadau yn y DU neu ryngwladol sy'n teithio i Gymru.

Mae gan lawer o'r gwyliau themâu unigryw (20 yr ydym yn eu cyfrif) fel Gŵyl Ffilm SeeMôr sy'n archwilio popeth sy'n ymddangos ar yr arfordir a'r môr yn Ynys Môn, Gŵyl Animeiddio Caerdydd a Gŵyl Animeiddio Japaneaidd Kotatsu, neu i'r rhai sy'n chwilio am wefr mae Gŵyl Arswyd Ryngwladol Abertoir - sydd ar fin dathlu ei 20fed flwyddyn yn 2025.

A group of people smiling and posing for the camera.
Watch-African Festival, Chapter Caerdydd © Wambui Gathee

Mae gwahanol wyliau yn cynnig cefnogaeth bwrpasol i dalent newydd fel Gŵyl Ffilm Bae Caerfyrddin, Gŵyl Ffilm Fach Caerdydd a Focus Wales. Ar gyfer cynulleidfaoedd ifanc mae Wicked Wales a Gŵyl Ffilm Ryngwladol Cymru i Blant. A gallwn ni barhau i’w rhestru! Ar gyfer y ffilmiau lleol a byd-eang newydd gorau mae Wales One World, am flas ar Affrica mae Gŵyl Ffilm Watch-Africa, Gŵyl Undod Hijinx yn dathlu artistiaid anabl, ag anableddau dysgu a/neu awtistig a'n gŵyl ffilm fwyaf yng Nghymru, Gwobr Iris Gŵyl Ffilm LGBTQ+ yn gartref i'r wobr ffilm fer fwyaf yn y byd. Rydyn ni wedi cael ein difetha am ddewis yn sicr.

Yn ogystal â lle gwych i ddarganfod ffilmiau newydd, os ydych chi'n dechrau yn y diwydiant ffilm ac yn chwilio am gyfleoedd gwirfoddoli, mae gwyliau yn lle gwych i ddysgu sgiliau newydd a gwneud cysylltiadau.

"Dotty" the Cardiff Animation Festival mascot on a table in front of workers at the festival.
Cardiff Animation Festival

Ar hyn o bryd mae tua 50% o'r gwyliau yn cael eu cynnal yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru, gyda'r 50% arall yng ggogledd, dwyrain a gorllewin y wlad. Mae llawer yn cynnig digwyddiadau ar-lein ochr yn ochr â'u rhaglenni personol, gan ein bod yn gwybod y gall cyrraedd yno fod yn her.

I helpu gyda hyn, rydym wedi llunio rhestr lawn a map i'ch helpu chi i weld yn union ble a phryd mae pob gŵyl yn digwydd. Byddwn hefyd yn tynnu sylw at wyliau sydd ar ddod yn fisol ar ein gwefannau cymdeithasol, rhag ofn bod angen nodyn atgoffa arnoch, yn ogystal â ble gallwch ddod o hyd i'ch sinema, clwb ffilm neu sgrin gymunedol agosaf.

Os ydych chi'n rhedeg gŵyl ffilm ac nad ydych wedi'ch rhestru isod ac yr hoffech gael eich ychwanegu (neu os hoffech gael eich tynnu o'r rhestr hon), cysylltwch â ni.Gall Gwyliau Ffilm yng Nghymru hefyd ddod yn aelod o Ganolfan Ffilm Cymru am ddim a gwneud cais am gyllid datblygu cynulleidfaoedd yn ogystal â chael mynediad at hyfforddiant, rhwydweithio a chyngor.

 

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ICO Screening Days Autumn 2
Hub Members Attend ICO Screening Days

Film Hub Members attend ICO’s Screening Days with help from training bursary

 

The ICO (Independent Cinema Office) runs national Screening Days events, a staple in the independent cinema calendar giving exhibitors the chance to watch the best upcoming film releases from across the globe and discuss them with industry peers. The Screening Days took place in both Nottingham and London in Autumn and Spring where hub members from Cymdeithas Ffilm Y Fenni, Chapter Cardiff, a Pontardawe Film Club went along to not only see upcoming releases to help develop their programmes but also for invaluable networking and discussions.

Here’s what our members told us about their experience:

These informal discussions are so helpful in sharing best practice and picking up hints and suggestions on marketing appropriate to the films. Meeting with the Film Promoters in person is always appreciated as it makes the booking of the films straight forward.

The ICO Screenings Days provide members with the opportunities to explore new UK independent and foreign language film releases as well as being able to discuss programming of various films directly with the representatives of distribution companies. David Charles Price attended on behalf of the Cymdeithas Ffilm Y Fenni to explore new UK independent and foreign language film releases. Dave came away with a plan for the next season’s programme, new contacts and potential new partnership with Borderlines Festival where they plan on sponsoring a film. Angie Dickinson attended on behalf of Pontardawe Film Club and found this opportunity significant in the programming for the venue, ultimately amending their original suggestions based off of the outcomes of attending the Screening Day as well as new marketing ideas thanks to meeting Promoters in-person.

It was not only useful to hear about strategies but also essential to demonstrate solidarity and compassion for each other as colleagues in our sector as we move forward and help each other.

Claire Vaughan from Chapter Cardiff attended the Screening finding the in-person films vital to having greater programming knowledge. Having secured bursary funding, Claire was also able to attend the ICO Audience Development day and arrange meeting with other venues in the area who have a similar offering to Chapter, visiting Derby QUAD, HOME Manchester and Phoenix Leicester. The visits and audience development day provided Claire with more in-depth knowledge on young audiences, an understanding of other venues’ strategy on resilience, leading to further meetings, as well as information on audience’s Eco credentials which she was able to feed back to the team and the UKCA policy.

Dave, Claire and Angie were able to attend the ICO Screening Days with the support of Film Hub Wales via our Bursary scheme. If you want to attend a meeting, course or event that would benefit your organisation and develop audiences but the costs are prohibitive, you can submit an application for support here.

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Oed Yr Addewid William
Oed yr Addewid: Ynglŷn â Gwleidyddiaeth Dosbarth Gofal yng Nghymru

Diffwys Criafol yw ffugenw awdur sy’n byw yng Nghaerdydd sydd â diddordeb mawr mewn dosbarth cymdeithasol. Mae’r themâu o amgylch ei gwaith fel arfer yn canolbwyntio ar y pwnc yma, fel arfer mewn perthynas â’i phrofiad bywyd ei hun. Gallwch ddod o hyd iddi ar Linktree / Instagram

Cyfieithwyd i’r Gymraeg gan Mair Lannen

"Mae [diwylliant Cymreig] yn ddiwylliant ôl-drefedigaethol, yn ymwybodol drwy’r amser o’i wendidau a photensial ei hun, yn ysu am fod yn ei hun, i ddod yn fyd ei hun, ond gyda llawer, llawer gormod ar ei gefn i allu wynebu ei ddyfodol go iawn yn gyson” - Daniel Williams ar waith Raymond Williams yn y cyflwyniad i 'Who Speaks for Wales' 2008.

Dyma ffilm sy’n wynebu nid yn unig stori un teulu ond y newid sydd wedi digwydd ar gyflymder syfrdanol yng Nghymru dros yr 20fed ganrif. Yn anesmwyth am y gorffennol, mewn penbleth yn y presennol ac yn edrych i’r dyfodol gyda llygedyn o obaith.

Oed yr Addewid - Alun and William
Oed yr Addewid – Alun a William

Fe ryddhawyd “Oed yr Addewid’” yn 2001 ond mae’r ffilm wedi’i gosod yn y cyfnod cyn etholiad cyffredinol y DU ym 1997 – gyda’r ffilm yn cyrraedd ei hanterth ar noson ganlyniadau’r etholiad pan enillodd y Blaid Lafur ‘newydd’ ar ôl 16 mlynedd o lywodraeth y Torïaid. Fodd bynnag, nid ffilm hanesyddol-wleidyddol yn unig mo hon, na chwaith ffilm am y problemau sy’n codi wrth heneiddio mewn cymdeithas sy’n gynyddol unigolyddol a neo-ryddfrydol. Mae’n mynd llawer dyfnach. Mae ei phortread o ddeinamig teulu yn cyffwrdd ar hanfodion ein seicoleg fel pobl a wladychwyd. Yn ymrafael rhwng ymdebygu er mwyn ymuno a chymryd rhan mewn system o greulondeb amhersonol a’r gwrth-frwydr i hyn – yr ysgogiad i gydio’n dynn yn ein diwylliant, iaith, dosbarth a lle.

I mi, mae’r cymeriadau’n alegori o densiynau a chyfeiriadau dosbarth o fewn cyd-destun y fro Gymraeg.Y Fro GymraegMae’n ymddangos bod gan William Davies, y Tad, afiechyd Alzheimer, ac mae angen gofal arno – ond pwy fydd yn ysgwyddo’r cyfrifoldeb o’i ofal? Mae William Davies, cyn-chwarelwr a blaenor lBlaenoryn y capel , yn bortread clasurol o Gymro dosbarth gweithiol yr 20fed ganrif.

Mae’r gwrthdaro rhwng ei blant ar fater gofal William yn bersonoliad o densiwn dosbarth sy’n deillio o aelodau teulu’n symud i ddosbarth cymdeithasol gwahanol. Mae’r mab hynaf – John Meredydd – yn symud i fyny’n gymdeithasol, mae Maureen – mam sengl, yn symud i ddosbarth is. Tra bod Alun Cledwyn, y trydydd plentyn wedi cyrraedd croesffordd – yn ei chael hi’n anodd dal ymlaen i’r bywyd dosbarth canol y mae e wedi’i ddatblygu, tra’n delio a’i salwch cronig o orddibyniaeth ar alcohol.

Mae John Meredydd, sydd wedi pellhau’n gorfforol ac yn feddyliol o’i deulu er mwyn gwneud ei ffortiwn, bellach yn edrych i lawr ar ei deulu (dosbarth gweithiol) yn ddirmygus. Mae disgwyl i Maureen wneud gwaith gofal heb dâl tra’n magu tri o blant ac yn ceisio gweithio mewn dwy swydd. Mae Alun Cledwyn yn ymrafael rhwngY Fro Gymraega’r byd ehangach, ei uchelgais dosbarth canol yn mynd yn groes i’w gysylltiad â’i gartref a’i ‘etifeddiaeth’Mae tir, cymuned, iaith, teulu a Chymreictod ei hun yn cyfuno – ar un pwynt yn y ffilm, fe’i disgrifir fel rhaff am ei wddf. Dyma wrthddywediadau Cymreictod wedi eu distyllu i'w ffurf fwyaf eglur.

Mae’r ffilm hefyd yn dangos yn fedrus goblygiadau dynol preifateiddio gofal. Rydym yn gwylio polisïau’r wladwriaeth yn cipio urddas unigolion a’u teuluoedd yn ystod misoedd olaf eu bywyd.

Mae teitl y ffilm yma, “Oed yr Addewid” yn ddywediad Cymreig (ond yn gwreiddio o’r Beibl) sy’n golygu mai dim ond tan 70 oed sydd wedi’i addo i ni, mae popeth ar ôl 70 yn fonws yn ôl bob sôn! Mae’r ffilm yn agor gyda phen-blwydd William yn 70. Mae’n teimlo’n arwyddocaol i mi ers i’r ffilm ei rhyddhau am y tro cyntaf, bod y blynyddoedd gwerthfawr hyn o ymddeoliad cyn ‘oed yr addewid’ bellach yn cael eu treulio’n gweithio. Ers y Mileniwm, mae’r rhyfel dosbarth unochrog yn ein herbyn wedi ymlâdd. Bellach ni allwn edrych ymlaen at flynyddoedd o ymddeoliad – cyfle i orffwys a chael amser gyda’r teulu tra bod ein iechyd yn dda. Nawr, mae llawer o bobl (fy nhad yn un ohonynt) yn gweithio mewn swyddi sy’n gorfforol heriol ymhellach i’w 70au, tra’u bod yn deilio â nifer o gyflyrau iechyd.

Mae’r disgrifiadau o ddosbarth drwy gydol y ffilm yn hynod ystyrlon a chynnil. Teimlaf fod hwn yn arteffact diwylliannol prin sy’n llwyddo i anrhydeddu cymhlethdodau dosbarth o fewn cyd-destun siaradwyr Cymraeg. Mae’n teimlo’n ddiddorol iawn yn y dydd sydd ohoni, yn dilyn yr hyn sy’n ymddangos yn oes o galedi ariannol di-baid ers chwalfa ariannol 2008. Oes o galedi sydd wedi rhoi 22% o oedolion a thraean o blant mewn tlodi yng Nghymru,gyda llawer o’r tlodi yn effeithio ar y fro Gymraeg.

Dyma ffilm sy’n parhau’n berthnasol i’n bywydau cyfoes. Yr argyfyngau sy’n digwydd ar yr un pryd o fewn un teulu, eu perthynas â’i gilydd, a dewrder y ffilm i ymdrin â phynciau na fyddai llawer ohonom ni am eu hwynebu. Marwolaeth, gwallgofrwydd, dosbarth, hunaniaeth, a cholli ystyr. Dwyster ac ing cymunedau o siaradwyr Cymraeg. Gorddibyniaeth, rolau rhywedd, a’r ffordd yr ydym yn trin ein henoed – mae’r themâu hyn i gyd yn cael eu trafod yn y ffilm hon. Mae digon o bynciau heriol, ond i mi, fodd bynnag, mi roedd yn gathartig i’w gwylio.

Mae ymdeimlad o obaith cadarn yn rhedeg drwy’r ffilm, ynghyd â hiwmor tywyll a ffraethineb miniog dosbarth gweithiol yn y deialog sy’n helpu cario’r themâu dwys. Yn wir, dyma oedd un o’r ffilmiau gorau i mi ei gweld mewn amser hir iawn, mewn unrhyw iaith. Mae’n amserol ei rhyddhau nawr – mae angen i ni wynebu’r problemau sy’n cael eu trafod yn y ffilm ar lefel unigol ac fel cymunedau, yn awr yn fwy nag erioed.

Mae sgan newydd o Oed Yr Addewid yn dod i sinemâu yn 2025 o Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru mewn partneriaeth â Chanolfan Ffilm Cymru..

Fe gomisiynwyd yr erthygl yma gan Ganolfan Ffilm Cymru fel rhan o’n strategaeth Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru sy’n dathlu ffilmiau â chysylltiadau Cymreig, diolch i gyllid gan Gymru Greadigol a’r Loteri Genedlaethol drwy’r BFI.

It was first published in Buzz Magazine.

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Hero 1 Oed Yr Addewid William A Maureen
Ffilm Archif ‘Oed yr Addewid’ a Enillodd Wobr BAFTA yn Dychwelyd i Sinemâu
23 Ebrill 2025

Mae sgan newydd o Oed Yr Addewid (Do Not Go Gentle), ffilm Gymraeg o’r flwyddyn 2000 a enillodd wobr BAFTA ac sy’n wleidyddol berthnasol heddiw, yn cael ei ail rhyddhau mewn sinemâu o fis Mawrth 2025.

Gan y Cyfarwyddwr o Gymru, Emlyn Williams, mae Oed yr Addewid wedi’i gosod yn 1997, gyda Phrydain yn cyrraedd trothwy gwleidyddol yn dilyn 18 mlynedd o reolaeth y Llywodraeth Geidwadol. Mae’r ffilm yn serennu rhai o fawrion byd actio Cymru, Stewart Jones, Arwel Gruffydd, Gwenno Elis Hodgkins a Gwyn Vaughan. Mae’n dilyn stori’r weddw William Davies, sosialydd a chwarelwr sydd wedi ymddeol. Mae e’n teimlo’n ddig ac yn chwerw tuag at lywodraeth sydd wedi anghofio amdano yn ei henaint, ac mae’n mynd ati i roi cynllun absẃrd a phenboeth ar waith. Pum mlynedd ar hugain ers ei rhyddhau, mae themâu’r ffilm – gofal cymdeithasol, heneiddio a’r wladwriaeth Brydeinig – yn berthnasol i gynulleidfaoedd hyd heddiw.

Dyma ymateb yr actor Arwel Gruffydd, sy’n chwarae rhan Alun yn y ffilm, i’r newyddion bod y ffilm yn cael ei hail ryddhau:

“Rydw i’n falch iawn bod Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru a Chanolfan Ffilm Cymru wedi cydweithio i greu argraffiad digidol newydd o Oed yr Addewid. Braint o’r mwyaf oedd chwarae rhan ganolog yn y ffilm hon 25 mlynedd yn ôl, ac mae gen i atgofion melys iawn o’r cyfnod, yn enwedig o gydweithio mor agos â’r diweddar Stewart Jones, actor gwych, heb ei ail.”

Mae Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru a Chanolfan Ffilm Cymru, fel rhan o Rwydwaith Cynulleidfa Ffilm y BFI, wedi cydweithio i ddod â’r clasur Cymreig yn ôl i’r sgrin fawr, gyda lansiad yng Ngŵyl Ffilm Cwm Llynfi yn Neuadd y Dref Maesteg yn ystod mis Mawrth.

Cafodd y ffilm wreiddiol 35mm ei hail sganio i ansawdd 2K gan R3store Studios, ac yna’i hadfer yn ddigidol gan Gorilla Post Production a’i pharatoi ar gyfer dangosiadau yn y sinema. Gyda chefnogaeth gan Matchbox Cine, bydd isdeitlau disgrifiadol yn Saesneg a Chymraeg yn cael eu hychwanegu am y tro cyntaf hefyd, gan wneud y ffilm yn hygyrch i gynulleidfa fwy eang.

Esbonia Nia Edwards-Behi, Catalogydd Clyweledol Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru:

"Fe ystyrion ni sawl ffilm o’r archif ar gyfer y prosiect hwn. Fe ddewiswyd Oed yr Addewid gan ei fod yn ffilm apelgar sy’n parhau’n berthnasol – o ran ei themâu a’i stori – hyd heddiw. Mae’n enghraifft wych o ymateb artistig i wleidyddiaeth y dydd, ac mae hi’n werthfawr cael ail ymweld â’r ymateb hwnnw. Rydyn ni mor lwcus cael archif sy’n llawn gweithiau o’r fath, ac rwy’n mawr obeithio y cawn ragor o adnoddau i sicrhau mynediad atynt”

Dywedodd Hana Lewis, Pennaeth Canolfan Ffilm Cymru:   

“Rydyn ni’n cydweithio’n aml gyda sinemâu a gwyliau yng Nghymru, er mwyn cynyddu mynediad i ffilmiau o gasgliad eang yr archif, ac fel rhan o’n prosiect Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru,sy’n dathlu ffilmiau sydd â chysylltiadau Cymreig. Mae’r straeon hyn yn hanfodol i ddiwylliant Cymreig ar y sgrin, maent yn cynnig mewnwelediad i’n hanes a’n cymunedau, rhywbeth y gellir dadlau y mae angen yn gynyddol, pan ystyriwn ffilmiau am Gymru gyfoes. Yn anffodus, mae sawl rhwystr sy’n atal y ffilmiau hyn rhag cael eu gweld yn rheolaidd, er gwaetha awydd y gynulleidfa amdanynt. Gall hyn fod oherwydd bod yr hawlfraint wedi darfod, neu ddiffyg adnoddau i ddosbarthu’r ffilmiau’n effeithiol, neu’r cyllid i ddigido’r ffilmiau a chadw eu hansawdd. Dyma pam fod y prosiect hwn mor bwysig i ni. Mae’r gost yn uchel, felly fel sector mae gofyn i ni sicrhau bod mynediad i’r ffilmiau hyn a bod cynulleidfaoedd yn cael cyfle i’w mwynhau am flynyddoedd i ddod.”

Mae’r ffilm ar gael i sinemâu ei harchebu ar gyfer dangosiadau o ddiwedd fis Mawrth ymlaen, gyda dyddiadau dangosiadau ledled Cymru i’w cadarnhau.

Cefnogir y prosiect hwn gan Ganolfan Ffilm Cymru, sy’n rhan o Rwydwaith Cynulleidfa Ffilm y BFI (RhCFf), sy’n bosib diolch i gyllid y Loteri Genedlaethol, sy’n sicrhau bod yr ystod fwyaf eang o ffilmiau ar gael i bawb ledled y DU. Mae cronfeydd yng Nghymru’n cael eu gweinyddu gan GFfC drwy Chapter, fel Sefydliad Arweiniol y Ganolfan Ffilm.

Caiff dros £30M ei godi bob wythnos ar gyfer achosion da ar draws y DU gan y Loteri Genedlaethol.

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BFI FAN Events
BFI FAN Events

FAN BFI offers a range of events to help members reach new audiences, develop their business model, be more accessible, make their activity more environmentally sustainable and much more.

Find the latest opportunities below.

Digwyddiadau i Ddod...

BFI FAN Green Hour 17th June: 12:00 – 13:00
Want to deepen the impact of your programming? To move beyond general narratives of climate action towards the issues that really impact your communities? Join this online session on Igniting Local Climate Action. . Free for Hub members.

Revisiting Your Cinema Business Model –  4th June – 16th July: 10:00 – 11:00
Open Webinars 2025. Learn key cinema business principles and fundraising skills in new webinars from BFI FAN. These expert-led webinars cover core topics, including financial reporting, fundraising, and sustainable capital developments. Open to BFI FAN members across the UK.

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Hub Helo
Hub Helo

Ein digwyddiad blynyddol i arddangoswyr ffilm ar draws Cymru.

Mae’r digwyddiad, a gynhelir ym mis Mawrth bob blwyddyn, yn cynnig cyfle i ddal i fyny â chydweithwyr arddangosfeydd a chael ysbrydoliaeth ym mhrosiectau ein gilydd, trwy sesiynau rhyngweithiol byr. Mae’r digwyddiad hefyd yn gyfle i Ganolfan Ffilm Cymru roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cyllid a fydd ar gael i Aelodau* ar gyfer y flwyddyn i ddod.

*Mae'r digwyddiad hwn ar gyfer Aelodau BFI FAN yn unig. Os nad ydych yn aelod, gallwch ymuno yma.

Digwyddiadau i Ddod...

Dim digwyddiadau.

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IMG 8388
Film Distribution Trainee Scheme (Closed)

We’re delighted to partner with Media Cymru a Ffilm Cymru Wales for the first time, to support two Welsh trainees to participate in the Film Distributors’ Association’s (FDA) 9 month paid London based trainee scheme, gaining hands on experience in film distribution and international sales.

Exhibition and distribution are essential parts of the film chain. Understanding who the audience is and how to reach them. The scheme will support the aims our Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru,, which celebrates films with Welsh connections.

Find the full course details from the FDA and Media Cymru below:

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Cyfarfod yr Arddangoswyr Gwnaethpwyd Yng Nghymru

Ein cyfarfod rheolaidd i arddangoswyr siarad am y ffilmiau diweddaraf sydd â chysylltiadau Cymreig, cwrdd â dosbarthwyr, gwneuthurwyr ffilm a chael gwybod am asedau GYNg.

Darllenwch fwy am ein strategaeth Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru yma.

Digwyddiadau i Ddod...

Dim digwyddiadau.

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Welsh Films 2025 FB X Image
Ffilmiau Cymreig i’w Gwylio yn 2025
15 Ionawr 2025

O fywyd gormodol Ardalydd ecsentrig o Ynys Môn i anturiaethau yn nhirwedd gyfoethog Laos, mae straeon eclectig gyda chysylltiadau Cymreig yn dod i’r sgrin fawr i ddiddanu cynulleidfaoedd yn 2025.

Dewch ar daith ledled Cymru a thu hwnt eleni, gyda straeon lleol a byd-eang sy’n dod i sinemâu. Mae gan bob un gysylltiadau Cymreig – o’r lleoliadau, i’r cast a thalent y tu ôl i’r camera. Bydd ffilm hir gyntaf Joshua Trigg, sy’n enedigol o Bowys, yn cael ei rhyddhau yn y gwanwyn: Bydd Satu – Year of the Rabbit yn mynd â chynulleidfaoedd ar daith i Laos i ddilyn dau blentyn ar siwrnai drawiadol wrth iddynt ddod i oed a chanfod eu teuluoedd, cyfeillgarwch a phrydferthwch bywyd beunyddiol. Gyda’r premiere yn digwydd yng Ngŵyl Ffilmiau Sundance 2025, bydd ffilm hir ddiweddaraf cwmni ie ie Productions, Brides, yn cyflwyno dwy ferch yn eu harddegau sy’n chwilio am ryddid, cyfeillgarwch a theimlad o berthyn pan fyddant yn dianc o’u bywydau yn y DU ac yn mynd ar drywydd peryglus i Syria.

Esbonia’r cynhyrchydd, Alice Lusher, sut y ffilmiwyd Brides yng Nghymru fel rhan o gydweithrediad rhyngwladol:

Roedd yn fraint o’r mwyaf i ni, dîm ieie productions gydweithio â’r cynhyrchwyr Nicky Bentham (Neon Films – DU) a Marica Stocchi (Rosamont – Yr Eidal) ar BRIDES, sef ffilm gyntaf y Cyfarwyddwr Nadia Fall a’r Ysgrifennwr Suhayla El-Bushra. Dyma gydweithrediad wirioneddol ryngwladol sy’n archwilio themâu byd-eang o hunaniaeth a pherthyn – a ffilmiwyd yng Nghymru, Twrci a Sisili. Fe gefnogodd y Cynhyrchwyr griwiau a busnesau lleol ym mhob gwlad, ac mae wedi bod yn bleser go iawn gweld gwaith a thalent anhygoel yn disgleirio drwy’r ffilm brydferth a phwysig hon. Rydyn ni’n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at rannu’r ffilm gyda’r byd.

Bydd y rheiny sy’n chwilio am wefr a drama ar ben eu digon eleni, gan fod gwledd o ffilmiau llawn drama, ffilmiau seicolegol a ffilmiau arswyd yn dod i sinemâu hefyd. Mae cynulleidfaoedd wedi bod yn aros yn eiddgar am Havoc gan y cyfarwyddwr o Gymru Gareth Evans (The Raid). Fe ffilmiwyd yng Nghymru, ac mae’n dilyn Tom Hardy a Forest Whitaker wrth iddynt ymladd eu ffordd trwy isfyd troseddol, gan ddatrys llygredd a chynllwyn ar hyd y ffordd. I ddilyn, daw’r ffilm ddirgel The Man in My Basement sy’n serennu Willem Dafoe, ac sy’n seiliedig ar nofel o’r un enw gan Walter Mosley. Fe’i ffilmiwyd yn Sir Gâr, gyda’r cynhyrchydd o Gymru, John Giwa-Amu, yn rhan o’r tîm. Mae disgwyliadau’n uchel hefyd ar gyfer The Scurry, gan y cyfarwyddwr o Gymru, Craig Roberts a Cliff Edge Pictures. Mae’n dilyn stori swreal dau swyddog difa pla sy’n dod ar draws pla o wiwerod gwallgof sy’n dial ar staff ac ymwelwyr ac yn creu anrhefn pur mewn parc gwlad eco.

John Giwa-Amu yn cynnig ei feddyliau ar The Man in My Basement a’i gysylltiadau â Chymru:

Mae wedi bod yn anrhydedd mawr i Good Gate ddod â darn mor eiconig o ddiwylliant Americanaidd i ffilmio yng Nghymru. Allwn ni ddim aros i gynulleidfaoedd weld y ffilm gyffro dywyll ac unigryw hon yn dod yn fyw.

Mae hefyd llu o ffilmiau sy’n gryf eu cysylltiadau â threftadaeth Cymru. Mae Canolfan Ffilm Cymru yn cydweithio ag Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru er mwyn cyflwyno sgan newydd o’r ffilm Oed yr Addewid (2002) a enillodd wobr BAFTA. Mae’r ffilm sy’n gyflwyniad teimladwy o ddadrithiad gwleidyddol, gofal cymdeithasol a heneiddio hyd yn oed yn fwy perthnasol heddiw, 25 mlynedd ar ôl ei ryddhau. Bydd pecyn o ffilmiau byrion 90 munud o hyd hefyd ar gael o brosiect Cymru Anabl – prosiect blwyddyn o hyd yr Archif sy’n ffocysu ar wella hygyrchedd eu casgliadau ffilm a fideo, yn ogystal â gwella cynrychiolaeth o wneuthurwyr anabl a Byddar yn y casgliadau.

I’r rheiny sy’n hoff o fywgraffiadau, bydd straeon dau ffigwr eiconig o Gymru yn dod i sgriniau yn 2025. Mae ffilm newydd Mad as Birds, Madfabulous yn rhoi darlun o fywyd yr ecsentrig Henry Cyril Paget, sef 5ed Ardalydd Ynys Môn, ac yn serennu’r actor o Gymru Callum Scott Howells (It’s A Sin) ochr yn ochr â Rupert Everett a Siobhán McSweeney. Gan y cwmni cynhyrchu o Gymru, Severn Screen, a’r cyfarwyddwr Marc Evans, bydd Mr Burton yn dilyn stori bywyd cynnar yr actor Richard Burton, ac yn serennu talent o Gymru, Aneurin Barnard ac Aimee-Ffion Edwards, ochr yn ochr â Toby Jones a Lesley Manville. Cip olwg yn unig yw hyn o’r ffilmiau sydd i’w rhyddhau yn 2025, gyda llawer mwy i ddod.

Esbonia Toki Allison, Rheolwr Prosiect Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru sut mae prosiect Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru Canolfan Ffilm Cymru yn cefnogi rhyddhau ffilmiau megis y rhain::

Nod Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru yw llenwi’r bwlch yn ecosystem y byd ffilmiau, gan greu pont rhwng gwneuthurwyr a dosbarthwyr ffilmiau, gan edrych ar sut mae’r ffilm yn cyrraedd cynulleidfaoedd. Gan gydweithio â sinemâu a gwyliau yng Nghymru, rydym yn ceisio cynyddu ymwybyddiaeth o ffilmiau sydd â chysylltiadau Cymreig, gan sicrhau bod cynulleidfaoedd yn cael cyfle i weld y straeon hyn fel rhan o brofiad cyfunol arbennig mewn lleoliad sinema. Mae rhywbeth arbennig yn digwydd o ran adrodd straeon yng Nghymru, ac mae safbwynt unigryw sy’n haeddu cael ei weld a’i fuddsoddi ynddo. Mae Cymru yn nifer o bethau, ac rydyn ni’n benderfynol o ehangu ar y naratif hwn.

Dywedodd Joedi Langley, Pennaeth Dros Dro Cymru Greadigol:

Mae'n flwyddyn gyffrous ar gyfer ffilm, gyda llawer o deitlau disgwyliedig ar y ffordd. Mae Cymru Greadigol yn falch o fod wedi cefnogi sawl un o'r cynyrchiadau hyn, yn annibynnol a hefyd drwy'r Gronfa Cynhyrchu Ffilmiau Nodwedd trwy Ffilm Cymru – sydd ynddo'i hun wedi cyfrannu at sawl rhyddhad diweddar, gan gynnwys ‘Chuck Chuck Baby’, ‘The Almond and the Seahorse’ a ‘Timestalker’. Mae'r prosiect Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru yn tynnu sylw at ehangder y dalent ffilmio sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru, ac yn rhoi llwyfan pwysig i ffilmiau nodwedd newydd trwy godi eu proffil ymhlith cynulleidfaoedd ac yn dathlu cysylltiadau Cymreig pob un, ac mae'n brosiect yr ydym yn falch iawn o'i gefnogi. Rydyn yn edrych ymlaen at flwyddyn lwyddiannus yn 2025 ar gyfer y sector ffilm yng Nghymru.

Mae prosiect Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru (GYNg) Canolfan Ffilm Cymru yn dathlu ffilmiau sydd â chysylltiadau Cymreig. Mae’n cynnig gweithgareddau ar hyd y flwyddyn mewn partneriaeth ag arddangoswyr yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys catalog ffilmiau, sy’n gartref i dros 1000 o ffilmiau hir a byr a phodlediad Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru. Gall cynulleidfaoedd dderbyn y newyddion diweddaraf ynglŷn â ffilmiau Cymreig newydd a’r cyfweliadau diweddaraf drwy ddilyn Gwnaethpwyd Yng Nghymru ar Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, the podlediad Gwnaethpwyd yng Nghymru, YouTube a Letterboxd.

Mae GYNg yn bosib drwy gyllid Cymru Greadigol a Rhwydwaith Cynulleidfa Ffilm (RhCFf) y BFI. Mae RhCFf y BFI yn cynnig cefnogaeth i arddangoswyr ledled y DU, er mwyn hybu rhaglennu diwylliannol ac ymgysylltu â chynulleidfaoedd amrywiol. Yng Nghymru, arweinir y gweithgarwch gan Ganolfan Ffilm Cymru, dan reolaeth Chapter.

- DIWEDD -

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TAPE talk Community Cinema Programming

Our Marketing and Outreach officer Holly spoke to the Media Club at TAPE Cerdd a Ffilm Cymunedol about their Neighbourhood Cinema project and how they programme and market films to rural communities in North Wales.

What is the Neighbourhood Cinema project? 
We launched a cinema project called ‘Neighbourhood Cinema’ for communities across North Wales in 2023, with support from Film Hub Wales via BFI National Lottery funding. The project currently runs screenings at The Luxor Community Cinema in Llanfairfechan, various sites across Anglesey via Mencap Môn and at TAPE’s base in Colwyn Bay. We’re also exploring a number of ongoing partnerships with the aim of bringing films to communities where it’s more difficult to access regular film screenings.

What is the Media Club at TAPE and how is it involved?
Specialising in creative inclusion, we ‘co-created’ the project in collaboration with our Media Club – a safe and supportive space which offers hands on experiences to a cohort of people from across the local community. The Media Club focuses on giving people aged 18 and over the opportunity to gain experience in podcasting, sound recording, film reviews and cinema programming. The club meets weekly as a part of TAPE’s session schedule.

How do you programme films?
We watch films as a club. Sometimes we watch them at home by ourselves or as a group. We thenSnow Leopard come together to discuss whether we think they will be good choices for us here at TAPE and the other Neighbourhood Cinema venues we programme for. Recently, the group all really enjoyed Snow Leopard, The Mountain Within Me a Strange Darlings. We are keen to fit those into ours and Llanfairfechan’s programmes somewhere! Snow Leopard was one of the best films we have seen in a long time, it was absolutely brilliant. We try to pick films that people wouldn’t necessarily choose to watch or can’t find at mainstream cinemas, so we can provide that experience for them.

Do you try to estimate audience numbers for your screenings?
We do try to estimate numbers for the screenings as we programme. It’s difficult to be concrete about it as a lot of our screenings are free. People sign up for tickets but may not make it to the screening. We’ve tried lots of different ideas to retain as many people as possible, but you can’t win against the elements! If it’s been raining all day, we have reduced numbers (even though a rainy day is the perfect excuse to hide away at the cinema!)  

With the Neighbourhood Cinema project, we’re trying to work with venues in places people can get to despite weather and transport issues. Small rural villages are perfect because people do tend to make the journey if the film is really good and they can walk to it (and we always programme really good films!)  

The Luxor Community Cinema in Llanfairfechan is a really good example of this. They hit the ground running with their first two screenings. I was at The Sound of Music screening and it was packed – the atmosphere was fantastic and we had  such a good time. They also screened Brian and Charles and they had a great crowd there as well. After both screenings, they received feedback from the audience and there is a real enthusiasm there. People are making suggestions about what they want to see, and it feels like the venue has become involved within the community straight away and  we have a really good partnership.

It’s great to hear that the Luxor has had such an amazing start! What do you think is working particularly well in Llanfairfechan? 
Chris Potter, who runs the community hall is really active in running the whole centre. They are constantly telling people about the cinema and the upcoming screenings. The venue is already very well used by the local community, but the cinema has generated a lot of excitement in t

he village so there is enthusiasm there from the very start. They’ve also ensured that the community a part of the cinema experience, asking them for feedback on the screenings and suggestions about what they would like to see in the future. I think the village has wanted the cinema back for a long time.  

We helped them out with the opening of the cinema, as we loaned them our air-screen whilst they crowd-funded the money for some permanent projection kit. We didn’t want them to have to wait any longer!  

I think it was also a great idea to show The Sound of Music as their first screening, as it was the film that they were going to show before the Luxor Cinema closed down in 1964. The apprentice projectionist from 1964 actually came along to the screening as he still lives in the village, which just adds to the local history of it all! The Luxor is such a good example of what happens when you have the perfect venue and the perfect team. 

Where do you go from the programming stage? What sort of marketing do you currently do to spread the word about your screenings?
We’re very active on our social media platforms – we mainly use Instagram and Facebook. We also produce an audio podcast that goes out every Saturday and they’ve been doing really well. Local radio has been really important for us, they’re supportive of our regular bespoke adverts for the events. It always feels like there is more marketing that we can do, and it is crucial to give people as much time as possible to find out about our events.

Is there anything else that you have done outside of marketing to increase engagement with your programme?
We’ve just started to do some programming with partner organisations. We started by working with Mencap Môn to programme for the Oriel Môn venue in Anglesey and that has been amazing from the start. We have just started to work with an organisation called Anheddau, which is a disability services and support organisation here in North Wales. They want to engage with the people who use their services more, so we are  creating a bespoke programme together, which will be really special. We’re also in the process of talking with organisations like Mind to create similar bespoke programmes there as well.  

We’ve also been doing some outreach screenings at film locations which has been really fun. We hosted a Halloween screening of our second feature film Approaching Shadows at the pub featured in the film. The screening was packed! The crowd were raucous in the best way and they loved it, it worked really well. We’re planning on going back to that same village in January to screen Brian and Charles, as that was also filmed there! It is a different way to engage these communities with Welsh films as well which is nice. 

It’s a really exciting time for the project and we can’t wait to see where it goes in 2025.

Find out more about the Neighbourhood Cinema project yma.

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Feminista Film Festival 73 Degrees © Geraint Perry
Feminista Film Festival 73 Degrees by Geraint Perry

Meet Rob, Producer of 73 Cinema:

The latest 73 Cinema event, ‘The Feminista Film Festival’ took place as part of International Women’s Day celebrations at Ty Pawb in early March. Since then film screenings have been indefinitely postponed.

What have you been working on during lockdown?

During lockdown I have spent a lot of time ensuring that our current and upcoming projects are adjusted so that we can safely continue once restrictions are lifted. I have spent time developing new methods of digital engagement too, to ensure that we continue to keep in touch with our audiences during this time. For 73 Cinema we will begin a really nice Instagram project in July which I’m excited about. For other projects such as the FOCUS Wales Film Festival, we have now had to postpone until 2021. Lockdown has given me the opportunity to try out some ideas and spend time rewriting and refining others, so even though it has been extremely challenging, some positives have come out of it.


What have you been watching?

Rob Corcoran 73-Degrees © Geraint Perry
Rob Corcoran, 73 Degrees by Geraint Perry

As always, I’m trying to watch as much as possible and keep up with everything that people are talking about! I recently enjoyed Normal People and Gangs of London. I’m currently rewatching Euphoria and Succession (my 2 favourite shows from last year) to gain some writing inspiration. Film-wise I managed to watch several things that I missed in cinemas, including Lee Chang-Dong’s Burning and Paolo Sorrentino’s Loro. I also caught the premiere of a new Welsh-made feature called The End of All Things which should be released later this year, so that was exciting. I usually go to the cinema quite often, but because I was travelling so much before the lockdown I’ve only been a few times so far in 2020 (including an accidental German language screening of Knives Out in Austria)! I’m very excited to see Tenet on the big screen soon for (hopefully) my next trip.

What’s inspiring you at the moment?

TV as usual, especially Succession and Euphoria as I mentioned. But more generally, I’m inspired by the creative digital work that so many arts organisations are carrying out. I’m a huge supporter of making arts activity digital and trying to innovate on new methods of connecting with audiences. Before lockdown it was sometimes difficult for me to explain to funders the benefits of spending time and resources on digital engagement – now it seems that moving forward this won’t be so tough.


How have you been keeping in touch with your audiences?

We’re passionate about driving innovation and increasing audience engagement in new and exciting ways. This award will provide us with the opportunity to try out a brand new digital project which we believe has the potential to revitalise our outreach and build on the brilliant sense of community that 73 Cinema has created in Wrexham – Robert Corcoran

Last Witness Screening 73 Degrees © Geraint Perry
Last Witness Screening 73 Degrees by Geraint Perry

We’ve been keeping up with our audience using social media. We’ve been steadily sharing content that we had remaining from our previous screenings, so it’s been nice to take our time putting that out and reminding people of some of our events. We’ve also been speaking with people to see what type of films they might like to see once we’re back open. Next up is our Instagram project in July, so we’re really looking forward to launching that.

How will FHW support you?

As part of the award the team will be creating a series of innovative film-related projects through Instagram. These are set to begin next month on the 73 Cinema a 73 Degree Films pages. Plans will also be put in place to ensure that physical screenings can return to Ty Pawb at some point in the near future. A draft programme will also be created, so that activity can resume as soon as it is completely safe to do so.

 

This award will allow us to try out new ways of screening independent and world cinema for audiences. We’re excited to begin working with Ty Pawb to see what will be possible. Despite the difficulties that lie ahead, we’re extremely positive that we can make our events as safe and enjoyable as usual. – Robert Corcoran.

Meet Lauren, Director of the Cardiff Animation Festival + team:

Meet Rhys, Coordinator at CellB:

Meet Owen & Aron from Clwb Clink:

 

Mike repainting The Commodore cinema kiosk
Mike repainting The Commodore cinema kiosk.

Meet Mike, Proprietor of Commodore Cinema, Aberystwyth:

I have tried to take advantage of this period of closure to undertake some overdue maintenance work and to make sure we look our best when we do eventually re-open. To this end I have managed to complete some painting and re-decoration projects including a completely new facade on our sales kiosk in the foyer. I have also undertaken some  repair work on our roof and to the seating, re-organized my office and updated all my accounts. Further re-decoration, new flooring and deep cleaning is planned before we re-open. 

My family and I have tried to maintain a weekly routine by having a regular film night on Tuesdays, when we take it in turns to choose a film to watch, as this is normally the night when we all work late and watch a film together in the cinema. Titles have ranged from old classics like The Big Sleep to more recent titles like The Brothers Sisters and Fruitvale Station which didn’t play at The Commodore. Commodore popcorn is mandatory. 

Mike outside The Commodore Cinema
Mike outside The Commodore Cinema.

Unfortunately it is not easy to be optimistic for the future as when we can re-open it will be difficult to encourage customers to return in sufficient numbers to remain viable although we have received many messages of support from our regular customers. In the short-term safe – distancing measures will also have a negative effect. 

We have been trying to keep in contact with our customer base through regular competitions and features such as old photos on our social media platforms and have been encouraged by the popularity of these and by the reservoir of goodwill shown towards The Commodore in customers comments. Their attachment to the cinema and enthusiasm for returning is abundantly clear. 

 

 

The financial support we received from the Hub has enabled us to meet our essential overheads, specifically insurance costs, at a time when we have no other income. This means that we should be able to re-open without debts hanging over us and therefore giving us a fighting chance of being able to remain open during the difficult times ahead. 

The Dragon Theatre, Barmouth during lockdown:

Eiko at Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival

Meet Eiko, festival director of Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival:

What have you been working on during lockdown?

This year is the 10th anniversary of our festival and we were planning different things, but we had not expected a global pandemic to happen. However, thanks to Film Hub, we received a grant to host our first online screening on YouTube. It is exciting to try something new as a festival.

In July we are going to host a screening focussing on Japanese female directors. I am not sure if you know, but the majority of the animated feature films in Japan are directed by male directors and, as a female festival director, I have always wanted to try to balance the gender ratio of the films we screen at the festival but this has been very hard.

So I am really pleased to host this first female focus screening.

We have Yusaki Fusako, she is an Italy-based award winning stop motion animator who has directed many amazing TV series and short films. She has kindly agreed to give an interview and have her works screened by the festival. We are also in touch with other film makers in Japan such as Miho Yata, Arisa Wakami and university graduate Mone Kurita. We are hoping to show the real diversity of films directed by female directors of all ages.

What have you been watching?

I really wanted to watch lots of online screenings and Q&As by festivals but it is hard for me to sit in front of the PC in the daytime due to family responsibilities. In the end, I was watching films and anime on Netflix. Ok as Otaku I tried out the TV series ‘Violet Evergarden’ , 'BEASTARS’, ‘Erased’, a ‘March Comes in Like a Lion’ at home! 

I am also watching lots of short films on YouTube to find Japanese talents which we haven’t screened, such as the work by Mone Kurita which we will screen next month. 

“Killing Eve” is also very interesting. And don’t forget “The Great British Sewing Bee”!”

What does the future hold?

© Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival

This is a very tricky question. We are not sure if we can even have a physical festival this year at our partner venues. Whatever happens we will continue to do what we can to screen diverse Japanese films to audiences in Wales. If our July online screening is successful, we would like to continue this event. There are so many great Japanese animated films you haven’t seen yet!!

What’s inspiring you at the moment?

It was really inspiring to watch what Cardiff Animation Festival was doing. Even though their festival was cancelled, they quickly hosted many online screenings and workshops such as “How to Animate at Home”. It was really fascinating!

Nippon Connection just announced the great films available for online screening, including Independent animated shorts by women. I am going to check their programme.

How will FHW support you?

© Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival

We are so grateful to receive the grant for hosting online screenings. I know so many artists/companies are desperate to get the grant because they are struggling to support themselves. As COVID-19 struck us, we all realized we are so lucky to simply be alive, have enough food to survive and somewhere to live. However, to have a happy life sometimes that is not enough, we need something to look forward to, something to keep us entertained, keep us motivated. 

Our online screening will not be on the same scale as the physical festival we normally have, but still I am sure our audience will be happy to be able to view interesting and exciting films from wherever they can.

Meet Sara, Co-Director of the Magic Lantern:

 

Meet Annie, Co-Director of the Magic Lantern:

“Here at the Magic Lantern, most of the team have been furloughed with a few left to hold the fort.”

What have you been working on during lockdown?

Some of the team have been really busy, as before lockdown Co-Directors Geoff and Sara set up Tywyn District Corona Support group and together with the Town Clerk pulled together over 100 volunteers with a system for supporting those in our community unable to leave their homes – shopping, collecting prescriptions, walking dogs, or just talking to people isolated at home.

In between this, we have managed to see some films – we’ve been posting regularly on our f/b group about films available on TV / streaming. For us it’s been great to catch up with films that we’ve previously shown but not had time to watch – like A Monster Calls – wonderful film but Sara’s daughter had to give her a cuddle afterwards!

I’d personally have watched a lot more films if the broadband connection here wasn’t so temperamental, – Curzon and Mubi have both had great films on offer. I guess that’s something to look forward to in the future!

Mostly we have remained determined and optimistic about keeping our fabulous team together and bringing the Magic Lantern back to life – but lacking a crystal ball it’s hard to feel any certainty about what’s ahead for us and I think it’s fair to say that with news and rules and regulations changing so fast, some of the corona-coaster has felt like looking into the abyss! As Geoff keeps saying – “if it were zombies we were having to deal with, he’s seen the movies, – he’d know what to do!” As none of us have seen Contagion however, Covid 19 is a new one on us!

 

What’s inspiring you at the moment?

So what has been inspiring and wonderful is, as always, our amazing team and our community. We are at some stage going to be obliged to throw a massive Magic Lantern party – safely distanced of course – for them all.

With all this going on it has been great to check in every now and then with Film Hub Wales – and especially through them [Film Hub Wales] to access some support through the BFI FAN Resilience Fund – thanks to them and National Lottery Players we have a new online project starting in the next few weeks to bring together a social history of the Magic Lantern…

Meet Kate, CEO – Director of the Memo Arts Centre, Barry:

 

Meet Chris, Director and General Manager of Monmouth Savoy:

Meet Dilwyn, Manager of Neaudd Ogwen:

 

Meet Gerda and the volunteers at the Phoenix Ton Pentre:

What have you been working on during lockdown?

The Phoenix closed on March 17th which was halfway through our week of showing Sonic the Hedgehog a Military Wives was on the bill the week after. We were a few days ahead of other venues and it was hard to disappoint the avid Sonic fans but it was heartening to see that most of our audience supported us straight away and shared the sense of responsibility we felt to keep our community safe.

It’s now hard to remember those initial days, we were busy securing the building and equipment and hoped that lockdown would only be for a few weeks. When we realised that lockdown would be much longer we decided to give our kiosk stock to the Valley’s Kids foodbank knowing the blue Panda pops would go down a treat!!

How have you been keeping in touch with your audiences?

Our social media savvies realised straight away that we needed to make sure we kept in touch with our audiences. We’ve been sharing a variation of information; links to virtual activities and events – from visits to the donkey sanctuaries, Planet Watch and links to the National Theatre events – even sharing community notifications like the re-opening of the local recycling sites! 

Our resident youth theatre group Act One, had to cancel their VE day concert but treated us with a brilliant and moving video rendition of Vera Lynn’s We’ll meet again on Facebook, which had over 5000 views. Take a look at the video below…

Watch “We’ll meet again”

What have the Phoenix volunteers been up?

Many of us took time to catch-up on films we missed and to widen our horizons, we were also feeling the nostalgia with the Josh Gad’s “Reunited Apart.” 

We‘ve been reminiscing and making plans for future nostalgia – shall we show all the Terminator films or have a Clint Eastwood Fest?

Just before the lockdown we were able to finish our screening programme of Welsh films and this had attracted a larger audience than we expected – we’ve  since been making use of the Welsh Film catalogue on the Film Hub Wales website to invite people to go and find out about more Welsh films to watch.

What next for the Phoenix?

Now that social distancing rules are starting to relax, we are risk assessing our venue and developing plans for the future. We are in consultation with our volunteers, audience members and we’re currently developing proposals to support schools and other groups to have access to relevant film screenings at our venue. We’re trying to be resilient and flexible in the way we respond to the “new normal”.

We’re also thinking about what films will be available to show when we re-open? How have filmmakers/distributors been affected? Will film licence costs increase? Time will tell.

We very much want to acknowledge all the support of Film Hub Wales who, over the years have provided expertise and advice to help us put on a wider and  programme of Welsh films – and now they’re here again to help us with funding to keep our equipment and venue safe in these difficult times. Their recognition for help with those essential and specialist costs has been vital to us.

Meet Ben, Founder of Snowcat Cinema:

Meet Sue (CEO), Elizabeth (Duty Manager), Clare (Front of House Manager) and young cinema goers from Theatr Gwaun:

The Torch Theatre during lockdown:

Meet Rhiannon, Festival Director / Cinema Co-ordinator of Wicked Wales:

Meet David, Director of the WOW Film Festival

Beth mae arddangoswyr yn ei ddweud...

Covid-19 has had a massive impact on Cardiff Animation Festival, as it has on so many arts organisations. Having to make the decision to postpone our festival three weeks out from our scheduled dates could have meant the end for us as an organisation. Film Hub Wales have been massively supportive throughout this time. This new relief funding is a lifeline that will enable us to support freelancers and contractors, to develop new and exciting work to serve the community that has built around our activity over the past five and a half years, and to help our audiences feel connected through independent animation while we're all apart.

Lauren Orme - Director of Cardiff Animation Festival

Recently, we’ve faced the surreal threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, and thanks to Film Hub Wales and BFI FAN support, we see this plucky independent cinema fighting back once more, stepping into a new and different world driven by our young creatives, who we call ‘The Quaran-teens’. We are ready for the next chapter in our drama

Rhys - Coordinator at Cell B, Blaenau Ffestiniog

Having the support and funding from the BFI and Film Hub Wales means a great deal to our team of young volunteers who run the Wicked Pop Up Cinemas at Rhyl Little Theatre in North Wales. With Film Hub Wales support we started our community cinema 3 years ago bringing affordable cinema back to some of the most deprived communities in Wales. This period of lockdown meant losing contact with the audiences we had worked so hard to build up. This funding will enable our volunteers to continue to have a place to work from and an opportunity  to reach out to our existing and new audiences ready for when we open the doors again.

Rhiannon Wyn Hughes - Festival Director/Cinema Co-Ordinator of Wicked Wales Film Festival and Cinema, Rhyl

Past events at Blaenau Ffestiniog’s CellB cinema have at times rivalled the drama usually seen on our cinema screen. We’ve seen our community and Hollywood stars lining up to support a bright future for this most precious of our shared community assets. Recently, we’ve faced the surreal threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, and thanks to Film Hub Wales and BFI FAN support, we see this plucky independent cinema fighting back once more, stepping into a new and different world driven by our young creatives, who we call ‘The Quaran-teens’. We are ready for the next chapter in our drama.

Rhys Roberts - CellB
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