UK Film Council announce support for Digital Visions

Sgrîn Cymru Wales and BBC Wales have entered into a partnership with the UK Film Council to produce eight documentary-style digital films about the diversity of modern Wales.
Digital Visions - launched in 2002 and co-ordinated by Sgrîn – has focused on the themes of race and disability, with five films being made in the last two years.
Aimed at new filmmakers in Wales, this partnership will enable the production of eight digital films this year, each of up to ten minutes in length - the deadline for applications is July 15.
Gaynor Messer Price, Short Film and New Talent Manager at Sgrîn, said: “We are really excited about the opportunities that the new partnership with the UK Film Council will bring to filmmakers wishing to reflect the issues facing people living in Wales.
“For the first time the Digital Visions scheme will also have a training element to ensure that the filmmakers gain as much from the experience as possible. This will be a significant scheme in Sgrîn’s range of support for the development of a film infrastructure in Wales.”
The selected films will be produced over the summer and premiered at the Cardiff Screen Festival in November, before being screened as part of the BBC’s scheduling later in the year.
Paul Islwyn Thomas, Head of Arts at BBC Wales added: "BBC Wales is delighted to collaborate with Sgrîn and the UK Film Council in the Digital Visions Scheme. This new partnership ensures the production of more films by more aspiring filmmakers across Wales.
The scheme is committed to the training and the nurturing of new filmmaking talent, and BBC Wales is proud to be part of this exciting initiative.”
The successful films will become the Welsh component of the UK Film Council’s Digital Shorts scheme.
Caroline Cooper Charles, who manages short film schemes for the UK Film Council said: “Digital Shorts is designed to support a new generation of emerging filmmakers from across the UK who are both technological and creative innovators.
“The partnership with Sgrîn and BBC Wales provides a wonderful opportunity to develop ideas within a supportive framework and we are looking forward to working with Welsh filmmakers to realise their creative vision.”
Those wishing to apply for the scheme should contact Rhodri ap Dyfrig on +44 (0) 2920 333314 or via email to [email protected] for an information pack.
(GB)