Organisation: Abertoir (Aberystwyth Arts Centre)
Wales’ International Horror Festival is back, featuring brand new, unreleased films, cult classics, presentations by experts, Q&As by filmmakers, short films, plus live commentaries and film score performances. The festival will run in person at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, followed by a fully captioned virtual edition the following weekend, packed full of features, shorts and recorded talks. This year’s theme is nature/ecology in horror from disgusting real-life parasites to ‘nature fights back’.
Organisation: Awen Cultural Trust
Awen’s Llynfi Valley Cinema Project will be hosted at Maesteg Town Hall, following its multi-million-pound redevelopment. Affordable films will be brought to the big screen in Y Bocs Oren (The Orange Box) for audiences across Maesteg and the wider Llynfi Valley, Bridgend – from a Welsh Language Film Festival, to the best new mainstream and independent cinema releases.
Organisation: Canolfan S4C Yr Egin
Yr Egin are set to bring more films the big screen to Carmarthen, increasing showings to twice monthly. Sinema Babi for new parents will take place on the last Friday of every month, beginning in June, offering a relaxed cinema experience with sensory workshops. Another new strand is ‘Sinema Sbesial’, which will include Welsh classics from the archive, such as ‘Y Dyn Wnaeth Ddwyn y Dolig’. These events will be paired with a Q+A session and / or themed evening.
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. During this nine-month programme, audiences can look forward to Planet Positive screenings for Great Big Green Week, a tour of Robot Dreams and a special Halloween screening in partnership with Darkened Rooms. CAF are continually developing their relationship with D/deaf audiences, rural communities and asylum seekers and refugees, aiming to make their events welcoming, with free Cardiff Animation Nights and pay what you feel models.
Organisation: Cellb
Cellb will launch their new space, Sgrin Emyr Ankst, in memory of Welsh music and cinema pioneer Emyr Glyn Williams. This big screen project will provide a modern cinema experience in Blaenau Ffestiniog with its core focus on providing ‘City Vibes’ and modern culture for local youths. Cellb will run a youth creative project side by side with the cinema, providing training in technical and box office duties, as well as offering the screen as a platform to promote youth topics via short films before main features.
Organisation: Dragon Theatre, Barmouth
A new series of affordable, family, cinema events in Barmouth will offer accessible activities such as children’s parties and craft workshops alongside. With the aim of creating lasting memories for their young audiences, the Dragon will work with their own young programmer to offer a selection of independent films. They will also offer free tickets to foodbank users, maximising promotions on their new LED board.
Organisation: Hijinx
Since 2008, Hijinx Unity Festival, one of Europe’s largest inclusive and disability arts festivals, has provided a vital platform for the best inclusive and disability-led performance from across the world. The second Unity festival will run in Autumn 2024, featuring a diverse array of 20-25 inclusive works created by and with learning disabled and autistic people. The programme will include both feature-length films and shorts, alongside Q&A / panel discussions to share best practice, providing professional exposure for 18 learning disabled / neurodivergent filmmakers, producers, and actors from across Wales, UK and beyond.
Organisation: Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival
The Iris on the Move 2025 brings two award-winning programmes of short films to communities across Wales. Classified by the BBFC, the films showcase exceptional talent within the LGBTQ+ filmmaking community whilst also fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of LGBTQ+ stories and experiences. Films will be offered with introductions and / or Q&As and can be programmed alongside features or as standalone events.
Organisation: Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival
A selection of Japanese animated films will screen over three fun-filled weekends at venues across Wales. In partnership with The Japan Foundation (London), they offer free, online, anime-themed interactive discussions with a Japanese industry professional. Other activities include a live music performance by popular local Shamisen player Jero11, a short film programme of independent Japanese films selected by the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival, a Manga Comic Café (a free Japanese comic reading area) at agreed venues to promote recycling and sustainability, a marketplace for local traders and artisans, and a raffle of sponsor-donated prizes to raise money for future events.
Organisation: Magic Lantern Cinema, Tywyn
‘Film Chat’ is a new project, bringing an array of British, independent, Welsh, documentary and foreign language films to Tywyn, creating opportunities for the community to learn more about films and the people who create them. The film-club chat (no spoilers!) will offer captioned online chats with the Lantern’s team, giving audiences insights into the upcoming films. Other strands will include family films with art competitions, A Mor a Mynydd environmental strand that celebrates nature and outdoor activity, Welsh selections and films with live music.
Organisation: Memo Arts Centre
MAC’s Sinema Connect project will offer 18 screenings inclusive and affordable ‘big screen’ experiences, including 6 relaxed cinema events and 12 family friendly events. There will be reduced price and free tickets, as well as social matinees for neurodivergent and older audiences. The programme will aim to break down barriers that prevent people from attending the cinema, working with local agents of change to make stronger connections with the community.
Organisation: Taliesin Arts Centre (Swansea University)
A brand new 35-week community-led scheme for young people and families in Swansea, Taliesin’s ‘Connecting Up project’ will introduce a young programmers’ group with creative industry workshops, masterclasses, venue/festival go-sees, plus programming and event management training – all designed to make the cinema experience for young people more welcoming. Audiences can expect a micro festival, themed film strands, ‘Welcome’ screenings that break down barriers and special events such as with live music, pop-up shops and stalls.
Organisation: Theatr Gwaun
From new Friday afternoon films to reduced price Monday morning films, Theatr Gwaun are creating plenty of choice for their older audiences. There will be Welsh language films of offer as well, as well as Saturday Kids Club screenings and free ‘POINT Presents’ sessions with their partner POINT, who offer drop in services for young people across North Pembrokeshire. Theatr Gwaun aim to better understand their audience needs throughout the project, talking to the community not just at screenings but through regular visits to the local market hall.
Organisation: Torch Theatre
Alongside their main cinema programme of blockbusters and independent films, the Torch will host three cinema celebration seasons from September 2024 to March 2025 showcasing work in celebration of Black History Month, LGBTQIA+ History Month and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. These seasons will include screenings of independent films made by and featuring people with lived experience of being a member of the Global Majority, the LGBTQIA+ community and / or living with disability. They hope to strengthen relationships with local audiences, building a welcoming programme of independent cinema in collaboration with partners across Wales.
Organisation: Watch-Africa
Watch-Africa Film Festival will celebrate its 10th edition in 2025. The festival will go back to its original roots, bringing African cinema to audiences across Cardiff with a localised, place-based approach of monthly screenings from May 2024, building up to the main festival in May 2025. Activity launched on Africa Day at Chapter Arts Centre, and is travelling to venues across Cardiff, including Jacob’s Market and Snowcat Cinema – bringing film screenings, Q&A with filmmakers, panel discussions, organised showcases and much more.
Organisation: WOW Wales One World Film Festival
WOW will bring 34 of the best independent and international features and shorts to Welsh communities in March 2025. In the lead-up to the festival, WOW will co-host screenings in Aberystwyth with the local Ceredigion Socialist Film Club, WOW aims to strengthen presence at its festival ‘home’, re-building the WOW community.
For its 24th edition, WOW will amplify its ‘small but beautiful’ character connecting audiences to talent at the festival. They will partner up with film departments in Aberystwyth and Bangor to develop their relationships with younger audiences and work with Curate-It to train two young Welsh programmers who will go on to curate their own event at the festival. The major focus will be their flagship ‘Ecosinema’ strand, bringing environmentalists, academics, locals and filmmakers to Aberystwyth for environmentally themed screenings, events, and talks.
