Organisation: Canolfan S4C Yr Egin
Yr Egin’s aim will be to bring independent, world and Welsh films to grow their audiences for cinema in and around Carmarthen. Three strands Sinema Sbesial (Welsh language films), Sinema – Chi (community curated events) and Film-Yeah (youth-led screenings) are the focus for 2025 alongside their monthly cinema screenings. They will also introduce a membership scheme for young people called Aelod to address economic barriers.
Organisation: Cardiff Animation Festival
CAF’s year-round programme will bring a mix of exciting animated feature films, short film screenings, exclusive Q+As with industry professionals and informal social learning activities to diverse audiences in Cardiff, as well as a touring programme of Welsh Work to independent Welsh venues. Their nine-month programme focuses on building audiences, connecting with communities through outreach. The programme aims to reach asylum seekers and refugees (Oasis Cardiff), rural communities in Wales (CAF on Tour), a queer programme with Q&A, as well as greater opportunities for Welsh speakers and learners to engage with Welsh animation heritage through a subtitled tour of The Princess and the Goblin.
Organisation: Cellb
Cellb’s Cinema turns 10 in 2026! They aim to keep the doors fully open and reach this important milestone. Their ‘Big Screen’ project will provide a modern cinema experience in Blaenau Ffestiniog with the core focus on providing ‘City Vibez’ and modern culture for local youths.
They will run a youth creative project alongside with training in technical and box office duties, while also promoting youth topics via ‘short films before main feature films.
Organisation: Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival
The Kotatsu Japanese Animation festival is a one-of-a-kind festival, offering audiences the chance to experience breath-taking Japanese films – many never before seen on the big screen and a special focus on fair gender balance. In 2025 they will bring a selection of Japanese animated films to three venues across Wales: Chapter, Aberystwyth Arts Centre and a new partnership with TAPE Community Music and Film in Colwyn Bay.
Kotatsu will promote young talent, partnering with ICAF (Inter College Animation Festival in Japan) and the University of South Wales to host works by Japanese/Welsh exchange students in Tokyo and Wales. With support from the Toy Box Project, supplying toys/games on loan, Kotatsu will also set up a free family activities corner during the festival.
Organisation: Neaudd Dwyfor
Building on the success of their classic film club, Neuadd Dwyfor are planning to expand the club to include features from independent, Welsh and foreign language distributors. Working with the local community to curate a programme of European language films including Polish and French, the films are chosen by a committee, audience suggestions and curated lists of suggested films from local groups with lived experience. Extra activities might include archive shorts before features, quizzes, discussion groups, Q&As and special guests. Working with surrounding businesses, they plan to introduce concessions with a specific emphasis on products produced in Wales that connect to the events.
Organisation: The Welfare
Screen Social is a film programme targeting people who might find it difficult to attend regular film screenings due to social, health, financial or other barriers. Working with 3rd sector partners such as Credu (Young Carers), Calan DVS, Flying Start, Action for Elders, NAS and local food banks, the Welfare will expand their current offer to include social activities after the films, combatting loneliness and improving mental health. Affordable or free tickets ensure that the community can get involved.
Organisation: Theatr Gwaun
Theatr Gwaun are getting ‘back to basics’ by reviewing their progress in 2024 and putting a compelling and ambitious year-round programme of UK independent and international film at the heart of their strategy. In 25/26 they will focus on delivering activities for younger audiences such as Kids Club and POINT Presents, understanding and evolving the offer for daytime cinema goers including a marketing campaign for occasional attenders, and finessing their evening cinema proposition, including more Welsh titles, Q&As and ticket offers.
Organisation: Torch Theatre
The Torch Theatre will spotlight independent films throughout the year, linking to Mental Health Awareness month with Bipolar UK, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month with Pembrokeshire Pride, Second Hand September to celebrate sustainability, Black History Month, Disability History Month with Craidd and a Welsh Language Celebration, with Menter Iaith for St David’s Day.
All screenings will be £5 and feature independent films made by and for people with lived experience of the communities they are celebrating. They will work with different partners to ensure the films and added value events are representative of those communities.
Organisation: The Magic Lantern
Through 24 screenings of UK independent, Welsh and foreign language films, the Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn will offer a selection of discount-deals for local audiences, including films for teenagers, children and families, over 60s and relaxed / hard of hearing groups. They will also explore inclusive representation on screen, connecting local audiences to stories from diverse communities across the world and building a welcoming experience via relationships with community organisers and stakeholders.
Organisation: Abergavenny Film Society
The longest continuously running Film Society in Wales, Abergavenny Film Society, is an accessible, big screen, community cinema run by volunteers, for members and non-members, providing 2 screenings fortnightly from 24 September 2025 to 4 March 2026. The Society screens UK Independent films and international films with subtitles, that depict cultures from across the world, including Welsh films and shorts. They offer a social space for local people as well, with an emphasis on inclusion.
Organisation: Wyeside Arts Centre
From September 2025 – February 2026 Wyeside Arts Centre will run a diverse film programme including monthly foreign language films, quarterly Welsh Language films and a wider series of diverse on-screen stories, UK Independent cinema, world films and documentaries. They will also host weekly subtitled screenings and monthly relaxed screenings for audiences with autism, learning and/or sensory difficulties. They have a ‘Tea and Biscuits’ Matinee every month for elderly and isolated individuals and aims to reintroduce a monthly Mother & Toddler screening.
Organisation: Urban Circle
The Circle is Urban Circle Newport’s new city-centre venue, offering a 100-person capacity, licensed bar, and culturally diverse hot food. They will host monthly screenings of high-grossing international films (world cinema), that reflect the lived experiences and languages of local communities, including Bengali, Urdu, and Welsh. They will create inclusive, immersive cinema experiences for underrepresented communities in South Wales with added-value activities such as live discussions, youth-led Q&As, or cultural food offerings. They will use film as a tool for cultural celebration, social connection, and audience development, particularly among young people, working-class communities, and Black and Global Majority audiences who are often excluded from mainstream film culture.
Organisation: Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival
Iris on the Move 2026 is a touring programme of LGBTQ+ short films that brings the spirit of the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival to communities across Wales. The project will deliver at least 12 in-person screenings at venues, including rural and underserved areas, with a focus on accessibility and inclusion. The programme will feature new Welsh shorts, a fully captioned screening with BSL interpretation, and two panel events exploring LGBTQ+ storytelling on screen. Through this activity, we aim to celebrate diverse stories, foster community dialogue, and grow audiences for independent film across Wales.
Organisation: Abertoir Horror Festival
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, Abertoir is Wales’ International Horror Festival, held at Aberystwyth Arts Centre from 12-16 November. With audiences travelling from all across the UK and internationally to attend, it showcases a mix of brand-new unreleased films, cult favourites, expert-led talks, filmmaker Q&As, short films, live commentaries and special events, including with Welsh talent where possible. A virtual edition follows the in-person event, featuring a selection of feature films, shorts, and recorded talks. All virtual content will include commissioned captions, ensuring the online festival is fully accessible to d/Deaf audiences.
Organisation: WOW
WOW Around Wales is a new touring and online film programme that brings bold, socially engaged cinema to six towns across Wales from September 2025 to March 2026. Each month, a carefully selected Welsh or international feature film will screen in three local venues, supported by trained WOW Local Ambassadors and festival partners. Events are bilingual and inclusive, created with and for communities often excluded from cultural access, including LGBTQ+ audiences, Welsh speakers, young people, and those in rural or low-income areas. From November-March, a curated strand of International and Welsh short films will be made available online and refreshed every one-two months to reach audiences across the country. Designed to build deeper connections between independent film and the lived experiences of people across Wales, WOW Around Wales is part of WOW Film Festival’s 25th anniversary shift into a year-round platform of ‘cinema that connects’, place-based cinema, community storytelling, and equitable access.
Organisation: Watch Africa
Watch Africa will bring a diverse selection of African films communities through screenings across East Cardiff. The program will consist of workshops and panel discussions with film students and industry professionals, integrating art and music into exhibitions. Working with the University of South Wales to introduce a Watch Africa Short Film Competition, they will and encourage emerging filmmakers and students to submit their work. They will also launch in-house watch sessions and a podcast series to foster ongoing discussions around African cinema. Staff will attend other film festivals to undertake research, expand their network and upskill in festival curation.
