The BFI announces TOO MUCH – Melodrama on Film – a new season celebrating the vivid visual language, heightened dramatics and emotional pathos at the heart of film melodrama, inviting film audiences to follow their emotions. United by their emotion driven plots, vivid visual language and self-conscious audience manipulation, these films are designed to make you break down in tears, cause a scene, fall in love, feel something. Presented by the BFI at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX and by the BFI Film Audience Network (BFI FAN) using funds from the National Lottery at cinemas and venues across the UK, TOO MUCH will take place from October- December 2025 via programmes of special events, talks and screenings. TOO MUCH will also be available UK-wide online via a curated collection of films available to stream on demand on BFI Player.
The season will explore the world of melodrama through the ages, with films ranging from cult classics to lesser-known international gems. Melodrama is steeped in contradiction. Swooningly romantic, people fall in love at first sight, sacrifice their lives in acts of devotion, find one another across space and time. Simultaneously they are grounded in the trappings of reality: rigid class boundaries, threat of punishment, and fear of scandal loom at every corner. The characters in these films are culturally diverse, from different generations and social backgrounds, but endlessly human and relatable. Their stories shed light on injustice and oppression.
Image credit All That Heaven Allows. Dir – Douglas Sirk. Courtesy of Park Circus.
Whilst expansive in its reach and impact across all genres of cinema, melodrama has long been associated with its rare embrace of women’s inner lives and concerns. This expansive drama is employed to express longing, rage and desire in characters facing motherhood, infidelity, exploitation and scandal. The legacy of early ‘women’s pictures’, created for female audiences with their favourite female stars, echoes across generations and around the world. As in life, these women do not always triumph. Imperfectly feminist yet endlessly empathetic, their sensationalist struggles carry searing social commentary beneath the glossy veneer of attention-grabbing colours, lurid plotlines and sentiment.
Accessible but ripe for dissection and reappraisal, while melodrama may lack the recognition of a genre like horror or action, TOO MUCH aims to illuminate melodrama as a key cinematic form, banish the stigma attached to the term, and spotlight how it has created masterpieces of world cinema.
From the early days of cinema and the evolution of the ‘women’s pictures’ of the 1930s and female film stars such as Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck and Claudette Colbert, cult classics and underseen gems, through to work from some of contemporary cinema’s biggest names such as Todd Haynes FAR FROM HEAVEN (2002), Pedro Almodóvar VOLVER (2006), Lars von Trier BREAKING THE WAVES (1996) as well as masterpieces of world cinema. The season will feature screenings of 7 TH HEAVEN (1927, Frank Borzage), IMITATION OF LIFE (1934, John M. Stahl), STELLA DALLAS (1937, King Vidor), NOW VOYAGER (1942, Irving Rapper) BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1945, David Lean), THE LIFE OF OHARU (1952, Kenji Mizoguchi) ÉL (1953, Luis Buñuel), JOHNNY GUITAR (1954, Nicholas Ray), LOLA MONTES (1955, Max Ophüls), STELLA (1955, Michael Cacoyannis) THE CLOUD-CAPPED STAR (1960, Ritwik Ghatak) THE ARCH (1968, T’ang Tsu Shuen), THE BITTER TEARS OF PETRA VON KANT (1972, Rainer Werner Fassbinder), THE SILENCES OF THE PALACE (1994, Moufida Tatli) and many more.
A centrepiece of TOO MUCH will be Douglas Sirk’s colourful, high-octane love story ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS (1955) which will return to cinemas UK-wide on 24 October, courtesy of Park Circus. Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson entrance as the star-crossed lovers at the centre of Sirk’s transgressive, saturated portrait of 1950s Eisenhower-era Americana, class friction and moral values.
Ruby McGuigan, BFI Programme Development Manager and TOO MUCH BFI Southbank season curator, said:
“A story’s emotional heart is what brings us back to it time and time again and allows it to translate across generations and cultures. Melodrama – an embrace of emotion above all – is the lifeblood of great cinema, across decades and geographic borders. Melodrama has always revelled in the squashing of emotions too volatile for everyday life, and the inevitable explosion under pressure. As a young woman discovering these films, I felt understood. Perhaps I wasn’t insane, or ‘too much’. Perhaps life is just overwhelming sometimes. In recent years we’ve finally seeing women’s emotional worlds take centre stage in literature, music and television – there’s a legacy of this in cinema which I believe is often overlooked. I’m so excited to share and discuss with audiences how these films make us feel today, and how these bold stories of melodrama’s heroines have driven some of world cinema’s timeless masterpieces. Don’t forget to pack your tissues.”
The season will be programmed around key themes, Love featuring star-crossed lovers, sacrificial acts of devotion, connections across space and time and melodrama as romance incarnate, Obsession brimming with tales of unrequited love, impossible desires and toxic jealousy, Duty stories of maternal sacrifice, marital constraints and dreams denied simmering beneath the serene surface of family life. Defiance showcasing rebellion in all its forms, both righteous and frivolous, regardless of the consequences, Scandal featuring tales of melodrama’s tragic heroines, who fall victim to its judgmental gaze. Melodrama’s most expressionistic, sumptuous films will also screen at BFI IMAX.
The full UK-wide line-up of screenings, events and touring programmes will be announced soon via bfi.org.uk/too-much
Volver 2006 – Images Courtesy of Park Circus + Pathe
BFI Southbank will play host to a major season from 20 October – 30 December, focusing on the strong cross cultural appeal of melodrama, including titles from Greece, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Tunisia, Italy, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Mexico, Argentina, Russia curated under the five thematic pillars of Love, Obsession, Duty, Defiance and Scandal. BFI IMAX, the UK’s biggest screen, will play host to some of melodrama’s most expressive films, FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE (1993 Chen Kaige), DEVDAS (2002, Sanjay Leela Bhansali) and WRITTEN ON THE WIND (1956, Douglas Sirk). Special events celebrating the expansive melodrama genre will include a keynote introduction with leading academic and author Laura Mulvey and a special day of playful panels and presentations – Melo-dramarama, an immersive day delving into the labyrinth of themes, tropes and quirks of melodrama beyond women on screen, from its embrace by queer audiences to male weepies and soap operas.
Audiences will also be able to stream films from the season at home on BFI Player, with a selection of 20+ curated titles set to include, BODY AND SOUL (1925, Oscar Micheaux), CRAIG’S WIFE (1936, Dorothy Arzner), THE RECKLESS MOMENT (1949, Max Ophüls), VICTIMS OF SIN (1951, Emilio Fernández), CAIRO STATION (1958, Youssef Chahine), RED ANGEL (1966, Yasuzo Masumura), MORGIANA (1972, Juraj Herz), BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005, Ang Lee), PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE (2019, Céline Sciamma) and THE DAMNED DON’T CRY (2022, Fyzal Boulifa).
A fyddech chi wrth eich bodd yn cael sinema ar eich stepen drws? Wel efallai eich bod chi'n agosach at un nag yr ydych chi'n meddwl! Mae Cymru yn llawn dop â dros 120 o sgriniau cymunedol a sinemâu dros dro.
I lawer o bobl sy'n hoff o ffilmiau, mae gyrru dros hanner awr i'w sinema agosaf yn gwbl arferol, ac rydyn ni'n gwneud hynny gan mai ar y sgrin fawr mae ffilmiau i fod i gael eu gwylio, ynte? I rai cynulleidfaoedd, nid yw hyn yn bosibl am lawer o resymau ac mae'r wefr o gael eu sgrin gymunedol leol eu hunain yn golygu eu bod yn gallu cael mynediad at ffilmiau yn fwy rheolaidd. Mae hefyd yn rhoi cyfle iddynt ddysgu'r sgil o ddewis ffilmiau, trefnu eu digwyddiadau eu hunain, neu adeiladu clwb ffilm rheolaidd.
Mae gennym bob math o sgriniau cymunedol yng Nghymru. O Neuaddau’r Glowyr, i nosweithiau ffilmiau mewn pentrefi, cymdeithasau ffilmiau sefydledig i ddigwyddiadau ffilmiau dros dro mewn llyfrgelloedd neu neuaddau tref. Mae rhai yn dangos ffilmiau bob mis ac eraill yn dangos ffilmiau ar thema arbennig o bryd i'w gilydd.
Os wnaethoch chi golli ein blogiau blaenorol ar wyliau aa sinemâu yng Nghymru, yna efallai nad ydych chi'n gyfarwydd â phwy ydym ni Canolfan Ffilm Cymru. Felly cyn i ni drafod sinemâu cymunedol Cymru – dyma’ch atgoffa chi mai ein gwaith ni yw cefnogi 'arddangoswyr' Cymreig o bob siâp a maint i ddod â ffilmiau rhyngwladol ac annibynnol gorau’r DU i gymunedau Cymru drwy gydol y flwyddyn. Rydym yn ariannu, hyfforddi a chynghori, gan gynnig cymorth iddynt lle bo angen.
Dinas Powys Community Cinema
Felly, beth yn union mae sinemâu cymunedol yn ei gynnig? Wel, rydyn ni'n falch eich bod wedi gofyn! Y peth gwych amdanyn nhw yw mai gwirfoddolwyr sy'n caru ffilm sy’n eu harwain fel arfer. Felly, os ydych chi hefyd yn caru ffilm, yna rydych chi'n mynd i gwrdd â llawer o bobl o'r un anian a gobeithio y cewch gyfle i wneud ambell i ffrind yno. Yn aml mae ganddynt gyfleusterau gwych, o'r sgrin i'r sain, i wneud eich profiad y gorau y gall fod.Cymerwch Sinema Gymunedol Dinas Powys yn Murchfield er enghraifft. Maent yn sgrinio ar ail ddydd Sadwrn bob mis ac maent wedi buddsoddi'n rheolaidd yn eu cyfleusterau o sgrin sefydlog y gellir ei dynnu'n ôl i daflunydd wedi'i osod ar y nenfwd, blwch rheoli newydd gyda dau chwaraewr Blu-ray / DVD, paneli nenfwd acwstig i ddileu'r adleisio, bleindiau ‘blackout’, a system seinyddion gwell! Ydi hyn yn eich plesio gymaint â ni?
Os ydych chi'n chwilio am y ffilmiau annibynnol gorau o bob cwr o'r byd, Cymdeithas Ffilm y Fenni yw'r ŵyl i chi. Clywsom si mai dyma'r gymdeithas ffilm fwyaf hirhoedlog yng Nghymru. Mynnwch eich aelodaeth yn gyflym – maen nhw bob amser yn gwerthu pob tocyn! Clwb arall sy'n adnabyddus am ei ddetholiadau gwych o ffilmiau yw Cymdeithas Ffilm Abergwaun, lle mae'r panel ffilmiau cymunedol yn helpu i ddewis ffilmiau yn yr hyfryd Theatr Gwaun yn Sir Benfro..
Sinema Llangoed
Rydyn ni, Canolfan Ffilm Cymru, wedi bod yn gweithio gyda Cherdd a Ffilm Cymunedol TAPE dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf i helpu i sefydlu sgriniau cymunedol newydd ledled y Gogledd fel rhan o'n prosiect Spotlight. Mae un o'r safleoedd, Sinema Llangoed (Neuadd Bentref Llangoed), wedi trawsnewid yn sinema o'r radd flaenaf gyda thaflunydd laser 4K Epson, system sain newydd, a sgrin sinema fformat mawr – yn ogystal â’r ffilmiau Cymraeg, annibynnol a rhyngwladol gorau!
Os ydych yng Ngogledd Ddwyrain Cymru, un na ddylid ei cholli yw Sinema Gymunedol Mynydd Helygain, gyda'i chefndir mynyddig hardd yn Sir y Fflint. Wedi'i sefydlu yn 2015, maent yn dangos ffilm bob dau fis yn Neuadd / Llyfrgell Plwyf Helygain gyda diodydd poeth, popcorn a bisgedi. Neu os ydych chi yn Sir Gaerfyrddin,, mae Sinema Sadwrn yn Llansadwrn yn dangos ffilmiau'n rheolaidd ar ddydd Gwener olaf pob mis. O glasuron i gomedi, dramâu i ffilmiau mewn ieithoedd tramor, animeiddiadau a ffilmiau dogfen, mae digon o ddewis. Maen nhw'n disgrifio’u digwyddiadau fel achlysuron cyfeillgar gyda’r dafarn drws nesaf yn lle am ddiod a sgwrs cyn / ar ôl ffilm.
Rydym hefyd yn ffodus i gael cefnogaeth nid un ond dau ddarparwr teithiol. Flicks in the Sticks a Moviola. Mae Flicks, sy'n trawsnewid neuaddau pentref a mannau cymunedol yn sinemâu dros dro, yn cael ei redeg gan Arts Alive yn ardaloedd Swydd Amwythig, Swydd Henffordd, y ffin a chanolbarth Cymru. Mae Moviola yn cynnig gwasanaeth rhaglennu ac archebu ffilmiau ar gyfer lleoliadau cymunedol yn ogystal â chynlluniau teithiol ledled y DU, gyda ffocws ar Dde-ddwyrain Cymru. Mae'r ddau sefydliad yn gweithio gyda phob math o weithredwyr yn y rhanbarthau hyn.
Os ydych chi'n chwilio am ddigwyddiadau arbennig sy'n mynd â chi i gestyll, clybiau a chanolfannau cymunedol Cymru, yna rydych chi'n bendant eisiau chwilio am Darkened Rooms. Hefyd un na ddylid ei cholli yw Cinema Golau – platfform ar gyfer gwneuthurwyr ffilmiau Du ac Ethnig Lleiafrifol sy'n dod i'r amlwg, sy'n dod â ffilmiau annibynnol rhyngwladol Du i lu o leoliadau lleol yng Nghymru.
Gyda dros 120 o ddarparwyr cymunedol i ddewis ohonynt, mae cymaint o argymhellion y gallem eu rhoi i chi. Gyda hynny mewn golwg, rydym wedi llunio rhestr lawn a mapi helpu i ddod o hyd i'ch clwb neu ddigwyddiad lleol. Byddwn yn tynnu sylw atynt yn ar ein sianeli cyfryngau cymdeithasolyn ogystal â lle gallwch ddod o hyd i'ch gŵyl agosaf a sinema llawn amser. Nodwch – nid ydym yn gysylltiedig â'r holl wefannau a restrir ac nid ydym yn gyfrifol am eu gweithgarwch. Edrychwch ar eu gwefannau lleol am fwy o wybodaeth am eu dangosiadau cyfredol. Mae llawer o sinemâu cymunedol yn cymryd seibiant dros yr haf ac yn dod yn ôl gyda rhaglen yr hydref o fis Medi ymlaen.
Os ydych chi'n rhedeg sgrin gymunedol a heb eich rhestru isod, efallai bod hyn oherwydd eich bod wedi'ch rhestru fel sinema neu ofod celfyddydau cymysg. Os hoffech gael eich ychwanegu (neu os hoffech gael eich tynnu o'r rhestr hon), cysylltwch â niByddem wrth ein boddau’n clywed gennych.
Gall arddangoswyr o Gymru hefyd ymaelodi â Chanolfan Ffilm Cymru am ddim a gwneud cais am gyllid datblygu cynulleidfaoedd yn ogystal â chael mynediad at hyfforddiant, rhwydweithio a chyngor.
Edrychwch ar wefannau'r sinema wefans for the am y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf..
*Organisations may be based outside of Wales and deliver across various Welsh locations.
Hub Members attend 2024’s SXSW and Sydney Film Festival with help from training bursary
Rob at SXSW Festival
SXSW festival celebrates the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture, helping creative people achieve their goals, and takes place in Austin, Texas every March. Hub member Robert Corcoran from 73 Degree Films attended 2024’s SXSW Festival to build on his relationships in the industry and attend the premier of Welsh film Timestalker. Akulah Agbami from Sheba Soul Ensemble wanted to attend the 2025 Sydney Film Festival to explore films and open new dialogues and awarenesses with indigenous Australian and Maori women film-makers whose films aren’t very accessible outside of Australia.
“Geographical barriers are clear as many of these filmmakers (travelling to SXSW from all over the world) will not have considered submitting their work to a Welsh (or perhaps even a European) festival previously, therefore meeting someone such as myself, to explain the benefits can set them at ease.” – Rob
Working on behalf of FOCUS Festival, Rob felt his time at SXSW was extremely valuable to grow his network as well as speaking to filmmakers to “convince them of the benefits of submitting their work to a Welsh festival.” Attending the premier of Timestalker also gave Rob an insight into the appetite for Welsh film overseas, providing ideas on how to connect with international audiences. Rob feels his attendance at SXSW resulted in a marked increase in US submissions to FOCUS Wales 2025. “Additionally I managed to meet with key people at the festival to kickstart conversations around how to continue the work and increase ties further.”
Sydney Film Festival Screening
Akulah, who is the Director at Sheba Soul Ensemble, who have hosted intimate and inclusive events to celebrate Black women’s film history on screen, wanted to find out how to source films from indigenous Australian and Maori women film-makers. Akulah noted that no First Nations people attended any of the screenings and found the event still has some work to do to represent this community. With this in mind, she still came away incredibly inspired, and delighted to access several brilliant films by Black women directors, managing to watch 11 films and one short with one animation that she hopes to bring to Wales that will appeal to 16-25s and an older queer audience.
“The first time I had the ‘banquet buffet’ film festival experience was whilst working in Sydney for a year after university… But so many things I had forgotten. Like how hauntingly exquisite the State Theatre in Sydney is…For the 72nd SFF edition, I experienced 11 films and a whole lot more.” – Akulah
Rob and Akulah were able to attend these Film Festival’swith 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 yma.
Mae ein Dyddiau Rhagolwg yn cynnwys dangosiadau o ffilmiau a grëwyd yng Nghymru, ffilmiau Cymraeg eu hiaith a ffilmiau archif Cymreig sydd ar y gorwel, sydd wedi'u cynllunio i gefnogi rhaglennu'n ehangach a chyrhaeddiad ffilmiau sydd â chysylltiadau Cymreig.
Mae'r digwyddiadau yn arbennig i aelodau Canolfan Ffilm Cymru ac aelodau o Ganolfannau Ffilm ledled y DU. Rydym yn darparu pecynnau gwybodaeth i bawb sy'n mynychu, ac yn cynnig cyfleoedd i rwydweithio mewn gwanhaol ganolfannau ledled y wlad. Gall Canolfan Ffilm Cymru hefyd gynnig cyllid tuag at warantu lleiafswm, marchnata a / neu gyfrannu tuag at gostau digwyddiad lle fo talent ar gael.
Efallai y byddwch chi'n synnu clywed bod gennym ni lu o sinemâu sefydledig yng Nghymru – 80 ohonynt a dweud y gwir. Daw'r rhain mewn gwahanol siapiau a meintiau. Mae rhai yn ganolfannau celfyddydau cymysg sy'n cynnig rhaglenni amlddisgyblaethol, mae eraill yn sinemâu annibynnol neu fasnachol llawn amser sy'n arbenigo mewn ffilm ac mae gan rai rhaglenni achlysurol.
Dydyn ni ddim hyd yn oed wedi cyrraedd y sgriniau cymunedol eto; Mae yna lawer mwy o'r rhain i'w crybwyll (a byddwn yn dod yn ôl at hynny yn ein blog nesaf) ond heddiw rydyn ni'n siarad yn benodol am safleoedd theatraidd.
Felly, ble dylem ni ddechrau? Gadewch i ni ddechrau drwy egluro mai ein gwaith ni fel Canolfan Ffilm Cymru yw cefnogi sinemâu Cymru i ddod â'r ffilmiau annibynnol a rhyngwladol gorau yn y DU i gymunedau Cymru drwy gydol y flwyddyn. Rydym yn ariannu, hyfforddi a chynghori arddangoswyr ffilmiau, gan gynnig cefnogaeth lle bo angen. Fe wyddom ni na fydd ffilm yn cael ei gweld dim ond oherwydd ei bod yn ffilm dda, a dyna le mae sinemâu o bwys. Eu gwaith nhw yw ystyried y gynulleidfa. Pwy fyddai'n mwynhau'r ffilm hon, sut gellir cyrraedd y gynulleidfa honno a pha effaith y gallai'r ffilm ei chael ar bobl leol.
Mae sinemâu Cymru yn adnabyddus am fod wrth galon eu cymunedau ac am eu hadeiladau eclectig a'u hanesion cyfoethog. Yn gyffredinol, maent yn cynnig llawer mwy na ffilmiau yn unig.
The Magic Lantern Cinema
Cymerwch Sinema Magic Lantern yn Nhywyn, Canolbarth Cymru, er enghraifft. Ar ôl dangos rîl newyddion mud gyntaf ym 1900 fel Ystafell Gynulliad y dref, mae'r adeilad wedi esblygu i fod yn sinema llawn amser poblogaidd ac unigryw gyda band, gardd gyfrinachol, a bar coctel. Nid yn unig hynny – maen nhw hefyd yn arwain digwyddiadau yn y gymuned gefn gwlad, fel agor yr adeilad ar ddiwrnod Nadolig i bobl leol sy'n byw ar eu pennau eu hunain a chreu cyfleoedd cyflogaeth i bobl ifanc yn y dref (yn ôl bob sôn mae eu tîm mor hapus yno, yn aml dydyn nhw ddim eisiau gadael!).
CellB
Ymlaen i ogledd-orllewin Cymru, os ydych chi'n cael eich hun ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog, mae'n rhaid i chi ymweld â CellB. Wedi'i leoli mewn gorsaf heddlu wedi'i haddasu, gyda dwy sgrin a chefndir syfrdanol o fynyddoedd llechi, mae'r lle yma’n llawn carisma. Dan arweiniad Gwallgofiaid, menter gymdeithasol nid-er-elw sy'n darparu hyfforddiant creadigol i bobl ifanc, mae gan y safle hostel, gigs rheolaidd a ffwrn pizza wedi'i thanio â choed.
Draw yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru, mae'n rhaid i ni sôn am y gwaith adnewyddu trawiadol yn Theatr Clwyd, sy'n cael ei adnabod fel y darparwr theatr deithiol mwyaf yng Nghymru. Byddwch eisiau treulio amser yno a mwynhau golygfeydd panoramig y dref o'u hadeilad gwydr newydd, ymweld â'u bwyty sy'n cael ei redeg gan y cogydd adnabyddus Bryn Williams ac wrth gwrs, gwylio ffilm yn eu sinema bwrpasol sy'n agor o fis Gorffennaf 2025.
Gallwn gario ’mlaen gyda hyn drwy'r dydd... Os ydych chi yn ne Cymru, mae Theatr y Savoy yn Nhrefynwy yn sinema gwerth ei gweld.
Theatr y Savoy Trefynwy
Y safle theatr hynaf yng Nghymru, mae'r adeilad rhestredig hardd gradd 2 hwn yn edrych fel y sinema berffaith. Neu os ydych chi yng Nghaerdydd, dewch i Ganolfan Gelfyddydau Chapter, sydd â rhaglen enfawr drwy gydol y flwyddyn o ffilmiau annibynnol yn ogystal â pherfformiadau arbrofol, arddangosfeydd a chaffi-bar.
Draw yng ngorllewin Cymru, mae Theatr Gwaun yn Abergwaun. Mae'n theatr gymunedol annibynnol, wedi’i chefnogi gan dîm angerddol o wirfoddolwyr. Yno mae sinema, bar a chaffi gyda dewis helaeth o ddigwyddiadau, ac mae arfordir hardd Sir Benfro megis tafliad carreg ohoni.
Yn y bôn, fe allech lunio taith o amgylch Cymru, gyda sinema ym mhob stop. Swnio'n dda? I helpu gyda hyn, rydym wedi llunio rhestr lawn a map i'ch helpu chi i weld ble mae pob sinema. Byddwn yn tynnu sylw atynt ar ein cyfryngau cymdeithasol, yn ogystal â ble gallwch ddod o hyd i'ch gŵyl, clwb ffilm neu sgrin gymunedol agosaf.
Os ydych chi'n rhedeg sinema a heb eich rhestru isod, efallai bod hyn oherwydd eich bod wedi'ch rhestru fel sgrin gymunedol. Os hoffech gael eich ychwanegu (neu os hoffech gael eich tynnu o'r rhestr hon), cysylltwch â ni. Byddem wrth ein boddau’n clywed gennych. Gall sinemâu Cymru hefyd ymaelodi â Chanolfan Ffilm Cymru am ddim a gwneud cais am gyllid datblygu cynulleidfaoedd yn ogystal â chael mynediad at hyfforddiant, rhwydweithio a chyngor.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 cyfryngau 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 niGall Gwyliau Ffilm yng Nghymru hefyd ymaelodi â Chanolfan Ffilm Cymru am ddim a gwneud cais am gyllid datblygu cynulleidfaoedd yn ogystal â chael mynediad at hyfforddiant, rhwydweithio a chyngor.
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 Clubwent 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.
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
"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 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 Film Hub Wales 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.
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.
As part of the collective Rhwydwaith Cynulleidfa Ffilm BFI, there are a range of short and long training courses and events to help FHW Members reach new audiences, develop business models, be more accessible, make your activity more environmentally sustainable and much more.
21 October (12-1pm) – The BFI FAN: EDI in Focus webinar series is back. In this session, Charlie Little (BFI FAN’s EDI Champion) will be joined by Georgia Kumari Bradburn (Stims Collective) to discuss:
→ Relaxed screenings
→ Best practices for facilitating screenings for neurodiverse audiences
→ How you can meaningfully engage neurodivergent audiences
ICO Autumn Screening Days 2025 – 14 to 16 November: Phoenix, Leicester a 17 to 23 November: Online ICO Spring Screening Days 2026 – 13 to 15 March 2026: BFI Southbank, London a 16 to 22 March 2026: Online
21 Oct – Indoor Events: Environmentally sustainable indoor events, including waste, procurement and more – hear about the National Saturday Club’s Summer Show, and the touring New Leaf Film Festival by Cinema for All: Online
25 Nov – Funding: Ethical and sustainable sponsorships and banking, with inspiration from arts venue Exeter Phoenix, and Tipping Point UK (creators of the Bank Better movement): Online
4 Nov – 5 Dec – Make your film festival or venue stand out to sponsors and financial partners with a new short course for BFI FAN members. Register by 10 October.
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 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 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.
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.
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 wyliau 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”!”
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.
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…
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.