Region: North Wales
Off Y Grid:
8 venues based across North Wales (CellB, Galeri, Neuadd Dwyfor, Neuadd Ogwen, Pontio, Tape, Ty Pawb [73 Cinema] and Dragon Theatr) will work together throughout the year to develop audiences for British and independent film across the region, with a focus on affordable cinema for rural audiences. Concentrating on health and wellbeing as audiences return to the cinema, the programme will include heart-warming films, a missed movies strand and outreach screenings in care homes and day centres. They will also focus on marketing strategy to support return audiences across the participating venues.
Twitter, Facebook
Region: North West Wales
CellB (Blaenau Ffestiniog):
Gwallgofiaid Cellb will re-connect audiences in Blaenau Ffestiniog to the wider world, post Covid-19, by exploring culture and climate change on screen. They aim to create a safe space where the community can travel the world through film, at affordable prices. With over 50 international films for young audiences, families and pensioners and 25 special screenings of international films for youths 12-16 years of age. As a youth led enterprise, they work to expand access to the arts for young people in Blaenau but also support their older audiences through regular accessible screenings, forums and take away packs to keep the community connected.
Website, Twitter, Facebook
Region: North East Wales
Wales Youth Festival Network (Rhyl):
WYFN works with Welsh film festivals and venues to create opportunities for young film enthusiasts in Wales. In 2021, 3 – 4 Welsh festivals, will receive tailored support from the network. WYFN will also continue to develop Ffilm Ifanc: a group of young programmers who will advise the festivals, ensuring that young voices reach both industry and audiences. The funding will also establish a small WYFN steering group of 5-6 festivals that will meet three times a year to develop the network based on equality and shared ownership.
The Wales Youth Festival Network is led by Wicked Wales
Website, Twitter, Facebook
Region: South East Wales
Cardiff Animation Festival (Cardiff):
Providing an important opportunity for animation screenings in Wales, CAF will deliver a programme of screenings both online and in venues such as Chapter and Cardiff Rooftop Cinema at Jacobs Market. They will partner with Biggerhouse Film on ‘Different Voices’ to showcase the work of neurodiverse animators/filmmakers and Capetown International Animation Festival on a curated shorts programme from Welsh, Wales-based and African filmmakers.
Website, Twitter, Facebook
Pontardawe Film Club/Pontardawe Arts Centre (Neath Port Talbot):
As a pilot reopening, with Covid safety measures in place, Pontardawe Film Club and Arts Centre will screen 3 films during the summer to film club members, followed by monthly screenings as the cinema reopens. They will create a video tool for audiences to navigate their return to the venue and a marketing campaign / strategy for independent film to broaden membership. The pilot will act as a springboard for the Film Club to relaunch in September with a programme of on-going film activity.
Website, Twitter, Facebook
Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival (Cardiff):
Kotatsu Japanese animation festival will return for its 11th season, post covid-19, with a mixture of screenings online as well as in Chapter, Aberystwyth Arts Centre and a new partnership with Cardiff Library, where they will host Japan-Anime related workshops. The programme will include feature films such as Akira, Evangelion and Ongaku (TBC). The aim is to re-engage with the audience, bringing Japanese Animation to the widest possible audience in Wales, increasing awareness of Japan’s animation film industry. As 2021 is designated UK Japan Season of Culture to coincide with the Olympics in Tokyo, it also offers a chance to celebrate wider Japanese culture on screen.
Website, Twitter, Facebook
Region: South West Wales
Theatr Gwaun (Fishguard):
Theatr Gwaun is a community owned and run cinema located in the heart of rural Pembrokeshire. It plays an important role, giving local access to diverse film entertainment for those who find it challenging to travel further afield due to cost, mobility and other social issues.
They reopened as a cinema on July 2nd 2021 in response to demand from the community, offering a refreshed tailored film programme of 24 socially distanced screenings per month. Their new website has many new features to promote the film programme and encourage people throughout the community to get involved. New activities include a community film panel, screenings for people who live alone and a partnership with POINT (a major youth support organisation).
Website, Twitter, Facebook
Region: Wales – Wide
WOW Film Festival (Aberystwyth and online):
WOW will deliver a ‘blended’ festival in March 2022 that combines live ‘in cinema’ activity in Aberystwyth with a UK-wide online offer. In preparation, WOW will pilot a small ‘blended’ event in autumn 2021 enabling them to review the best approach alongside their carbon footprint.
This Autumn event will consist of three in cinema films, including a family film suitable for the WOW Film Club members, and one with a panel discussion. WOW will also offer three films online via Eventive to a UK-wide audience, with a panel event live streamed to audiences at home.
This event will give WOW the chance to reconnect with their loyal Aberystwyth audience who they haven’t seen in the cinemas since 2019 and time to undertake outreach work to reconnect with BIPOC Film Club members.
Website, Twitter, Facebook