EU FUNDING BOOST FOR WELSH TV PRODUCTION

Television production in Wales has been awarded a record EU cash boost – a six figure grant, from the MEDIA Plus Programme.
Six companies will share over three-quarters of a million Euro between them, approximately £426,000, to develop both new programming and distribute productions already commissioned.
Gwawr Hughes, Head of MEDIA Plus in Wales based at Sgrin, said: “This is the largest total award Wales TV companies have ever had from Europe. Almost all the Welsh applicants received awards. Undoubtedly, Wales are punching above their weight by winning these monies and producers are finally becoming convinced that the single market presents real opportunities for projects with international appeal. The MEDIA Office and the TV companies concerned have worked hard for months to get these applications together.”
A raft of new programming will be developed by half a dozen companies awarded monies: Cambrensis Communications award of £57,000 allows them to work on drama and documentary programmes; Fairwater Films £32,000will be spent on a new animation project; Opus Television who were awarded £38,000 will develop a slate of documentary ideas and B-Dag, a Welsh multimedia company, were awarded £32,000 to produce an interactive game called ‘Green Fields’.
In the world of feature films, Salem Films have been granted £32,000 to enable them to develop a major film on the life of the wife of Wales’ most famous poet, Dylan Thomas. Agenda’s slate development award of £80,000 will be spent on developing proposals to begin productions after the completion of the Gold series. (CD)