NEW WALES SCREEN COMMISSION IS NOW OPERATIONAL

CULTURE Minister Jenny Randerson has announced that the new Wales Screen Commission at Sgrin, funded by the Welsh Development Agency and unitary authorities, is now operational.
The Minister was speaking at the Focus on Film breakfast meeting on November 23, which is reserved for important announcements affecting the industry in Wales.
The Wales Screen Commission will bring together the expertise of the regional locations offices to build on Wales’ reputation as a film-friendly country. It will also enable Sgrin and their partners to effectively market the locations, facilities and talent of Wales as a whole in the global market. A National Commissioner for Wales will be appointed shortly.
The Minister talked of her role in enabling the delegation of the lottery film funding function from the Arts Council to Sgrin in order to help streamline the process of applying for funding. The two bodies are currently finalising details for the transfer, and it is expected that the new procedure will be in place for the next financial year.
Another step forward to establish a film fund has been taken recently and the Minister noted that the Assembly has undertaken to make money available once the final proposals are approved. Final approval will depend on the acceptance of a business case and the obtaining of European Regional Development funding. The Film Fund for Wales will be a significant boost for the sector, enabling around twenty feature films to be supported over the next five years. (CD)