Watch The Three Films Festival online Friday 31ain July – 2nd August
In this period of challenge and uncertainty for the creative industries, film Festivals in Wales have responded by coming together to promote the importance of Festivals in our communities and provide a new national and international platform to celebrate young talent in Wales. This initiative has been led by the Wicked Wales International Youth Film Festival in Rhyl and supported by Film Hub Wales as part of the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN), made possible by the National Lottery.
First Minister for Wales Mark Drakeford MS/AS says:
“At a challenging time for the arts, it is inspiring to see Welsh film festivals coming together to give young film makers this opportunity to share their creativity.
“The creative industries sector is one of the fastest growing in Wales and we are very proud our country is recognised as a centre for film and TV production. Innovative events like this will help to nurture the incredible pool of future talent we have, even in the most difficult circumstances.
“I would like to wish the Three Film Festival the very best of luck and congratulate Wicked Wales and everyone who has brought this to life.”
Festivals from all corners of Wales have joined together in a new Wales Youth Festival Network WYFN. The WYFN Network is being launched with a new national ‘Three Films Festival’. The Festival will screen up to three films from each of the many established film festivals in Wales and has also welcomed films from S4C, Hijinx and Into Film. The films screened have all been made by or for young audiences aged approximately 15-25.
The Festival this year will be online and will take place between Friday 31st July and Sunday 2nd August. The programme will include film screenings and an industry programme supported by Film Feels Connected on aspects of filmmaking.
Lorraine Mahoney, WYFN Coordinator says:
“Three Films Festival demonstrates the commitment by film festivals across Wales to want to help support and develop the next generation of cinema goers and filmmakers with this inspiring online showcase of films and events. It is a coming together and a celebration of the work begun by WYFN and its film festival partners, who are all working together to screen a wider range of films to young audiences in Wales.”
Rhiannon Hughes, Director of Wicked Wales Festival adds:
“Wicked Wales Festival has benefited enormously from belonging to an international youth film festival network ‘Youth Cinema Network’ (YCN) in terms of sharing ideas and best practice, collaborating on projects and raising funds together. It was this experience which we wanted to introduce to Wales to strengthen support for Festivals in Wales. We are grateful for the support of Film Hub Wales who have worked with us for a number of years to develop the new network.”
Mark Williams, Iris Prize Outreach and Education Manager:
“We’re delighted to be sharing some of the films we have made with young people. We’ve been inspired by the creative talent we have here in Wales, as our next generation of filmmakers begin their journey. We hope people enjoy watching these films as much as we’ve enjoyed making them.”
The full festival programme is available on the www.wickedwales.com website and WYFN Facebook page.
Follow twitter @wales_youth for regular updates and subscribe to the YouTube festival channel to watch the free online film festival. And visit their facebook Wales Youth Festival Network neu Wicked Cinema