Film Funds Unites Welsh Culture And Commerce

Figures have been released detailing a £1.15 million investment in the Welsh film industry.
The Film Agency for Wales has launched the 2008/09 annual report that details the investment.
Peter Edwards, Chairman, said that financial awards totalling some £940,050 had enabled the development of 20 features and eight feature film productions over the twelve month period and all involved Welsh talent.
A further £162,996 was awarded to seven cinema venues, 17 film societies, ten film festivals and four special film events to enhance specialist film exhibition across Wales with audience figures rising by 35% over the last three years.
He also said that £52,168 was also granted to 13 film education projects benefiting some 2300 young people across Wales.
"Now in its third year, the Film Agency for Wales is changing the face of the digital economy as the team continues to focus on uniting culture and commerce, pioneering digital film and, importantly, delivering success," explained Mr Edwards.
This year alone, the agency has seen 15 Film Agency funded films either start or complete production with an estimated Welsh spend of £4 million and total partnership funding in excess of £11.1 million.
As the lead body for film in Wales, the Film Agency works with partners including BBC Wales, S4C, Film London, Film4, UK Film Council and the Wales IP Fund along with international co-producers, financiers and sales agents.
Features receiving production investment included the theatrical documentaries Little Matador (currently in production), Mugabe and the White African (nominated for an Oscar, selected for the London Film Festival, IFDA, Hotdocs and winner of the world feature at the AFI's esteemed Silverdocs), A Boy Called Dad (subsequently selected for the Edinburgh Film Festival) and Barafundle Bay (one of the industry’s top 20 unproduced screenplays' according to Variety).
All of these projects have had Welsh writer, director and or producer(s) at their heart.
Further information is available at www.filmagencywales.com
(BMcN/BMcc)