Film Agency For Wales Announces New Board Appointments

Peter Edwards, the Chairman of the Film Agency for Wales, has announced a new Board of Directors for this pan Wales organisation.
Eight new Board members will join to replace a number of Directors who have completed their term, as well as expand the existing Board from ten to 14.
The high profile appointments include the former Deputy Minister for Culture in the Welsh Assembly government, Delyth Evans, along with Producer Rebekah Gilbertson (whose credits include Edge of Love with Keira Knightley, Matthew Rhys and Sienna Miller and Patagonia, Marc Evans' latest feature) and Heather Stewart, Cultural Programme Director for the British Film Institute.
The Board is also strengthened with the addition of Welsh Producer and EAVE alumni, Gethin Scourfield and former leader of Denbighshire County Council, County Councillor and member of the Welsh Arts Council Rhiannon Wyn Hughes (joining in March 2010). Hughes has been a driving force behind a pioneering independent Digital Cinema, the Scala Prestatyn,
Barriser and Venture Capital Fund overseer, Thomas Dillon also joins along with Producer Jane Dauncey who benefits from strong television network and corporate credentials and agent Rob Kraitt who comes with a wide ranging set of talent, production company and financier relationships.
Commenting on the appointments, Peter Edwards said: "As the sole strategic agency for film in Wales, our focus is on promoting the commercial and cultural film agenda. We're delighted to have gained the interest and commitment of high-level, experienced individuals to compliment our existing Board, all of whom will play a vital role in addressing key issues going forward, especially creating an environment to encourage sustainable film-focused businesses and realising the benefits of digital innovations in exhibition and distribution.
"This is a crucial time of potential reorganisation of all forms of film and TV in Wales given Ian Hargreaves' review of all elements of the creative industries. We believe that all our Board members will have a very important role to play as they bring enormous expertise and valuable knowledge to help us take a lead role in the debate about the opportunities that the new Digital Wales will bring - we are the agent for change in the journey towards a Digital Wales economy."
The Film Agency for Wales is funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the UK Film Council and the Welsh Assembly government, via Creative Business Wales, the latter of which was set up to support, encourage and increase the range and number of films being produced in Wales and to foster the abundance of creative talent in Wales.
(KMcA/BMcC)