Welsh Film Industry Benefits From £2.6m Investment

Figures released today show an investment of £2.6 million in Welsh film talent as the Film Agency for Wales seeks to further strengthen infrastructure for the film industry in Wales.
Released by the Film Agency for Wales within their Annual Report, the figures relate to the period April 2010 to March 2011 and include tailored business support for independent production companies, and supporting Welsh intellectual property generators - writers, directors and producers - to make distinctive quality feature films for the global market.
Production awards totaling some £1,266,698.00 were made across nine new film projects and additional awards to seven existing projects on the slate to facilitate financial closing. A further 15 projects were supported with development funding totaling £102,380.00.
One of the highlights of the year was Submarine. Opening to rave reviews in February, the film generated a UK theatrical box office in excess of $2 million. The world premiere was at the Toronto Film Festival, followed by selection at the London Film Festival and Sundance.
It has been sold to all major territories in the world by Protagonist including to the Weinstein Company for distribution. The film has now been nominated for five awards at the British Independent Film Awards including Richard Ayoade for Best Debut Director and Best Screenplay, Sally Hawkins for Best Supporting Actress along with Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige both being nominated for Best Newcomer.
Commenting on the Film Agency’s investment, Peter Edwards Chairman of the Film Agency for Wales said: "We’re committed to building infrastructure to support viable and sustainable Welsh film businesses, with distinctive talent at the heart of those companies generating engaging and internationally appealing intellectual property. A natural corollary to that is promoting a vibrant and dynamic film culture and in so doing, to grow the market for independent specialist film and the awareness of Welsh films and talent within that. Film intrinsically delivers a range of benefits across the economic, cultural, heritage, education and regeneration agendas, and we are actively working with a range of partners, across central and devolved Government, the BFI, other national and regional agencies, the broadcasters, Skillset, HE and FE bodies and Local Authorities, to realise those benefits."
(LB)