The development agency for Welsh film is developing eight new short films through their Beacons scheme, supported by BBC Cymru Wales and BFI NETWORK with funding from the National Lottery.
Beacons shines a light on Welsh talent, supporting emerging filmmakers from Wales to make a cinematic calling card with funding, training, mentoring and guidance. Since 2014, the scheme has produced 35 short films seen on cinema, television and digital screens around the world.
Ffilm Cymru Wales’ latest slate of short films includes three Welsh language projects, two documentaries and an animated drama, showcasing the wide scope of talent, culture and creativity in the nation’s film community. Jude Lister, Ffilm Cymru Wales’ Manager of Development & Production, says: “Our latest Beacons development slate features a rich diversity of talent and stories coming from all over Wales. In particular, it has been thrilling to see Welsh-language submissions going from strength to strength. We look forward to working with the teams on their projects.”
Chwinc
Writer-Director: Siôn Eifion
Producer: Ceri Hughes
Longing for a return to his glory days, a closeted queer boxer tries to relive a violent experience. Actor and writer Siôn Eifion has extensive experience in Welsh-language theatre and television, including S4C series Deian a Loli, BBC4 series Hidden and BAFTA Cymru award-winning film Y Swn.
Do You Deliver?
Writer-Director: Jack Jones
A darkly comedic drama about a young food delivery courier, whose world is rocked when he makes a startling discovery about what he has really been transporting. Jack began his journey in film as a Production Assistant on Iris Prize shorts, before becoming a videographer, photographer and commercial director for fashion brand Vogue.
Green Light
Writer-Director: Zahra Al-Sultani
Having just given birth, Farida struggles to cope without knowing if her family are dead or alive. Though physically in Newport, her mind is at war… far away. Zahra has written for TV, theatre and Sony Playstation, and directed a music video for emerging artist Nayiem. She was recently Writer in Residence at Sister Pictures.
Holm
Writer: Nico Dafydd
Directors: Nico Dafydd, Lleucu Non
Producer: Amy Morris, Winding Snake
Hiraeth, and the inevitability of growing up, become two opposing forces for Cati and her dad in this Welsh-language animated drama. Writer-director Nico Dafydd was mentored through Ffilm Cymru Wales’ Y Labordy programme, while artist and animator Lleucu Non has previously created work for broadcasters BBC and S4C.
Mandoline
Writers: Joshua Neale, Abraham Smith
Director: Joshua Neale
In a busy kitchen service, teenage Bill and belligerent head chef Gerry clash as the tension between a broken man and a breaking boy leads to a humbling lesson in sonder. Joshua Neale has directed documentaries for Channel 4 and BBC Storyville, as well as award winning music videos and commercials for brands and charities including Johnnie Walker, CBeebies, and UNICEF.
Mynd
Writers: Oliver Gabe, Erin Mathias
Director: Oliver Gabe
Producers: Lee Haven Jones, Adam Knopf
Teenagers are killing themselves in Daf and Ham’s hometown, so the pair venture into the woods to hunt down what they believe is the cause: the mysterious and mythical Jack Death. Oliver’s short film Sin Eater was funded through Ffilm Cymru’s Ffolio scheme, and writer Erin is compiling her debut short-story collection. Together, they co-edit Welsh weirdo magazine The Paper.
Rick on the Roof
Writer-Director: Isaac Mayne
Producer: Nan Davies
A documentary following rooftop protestor Rick Canty, who battled his eviction by living on the roof of his home in Barry, South Wales for three years, turning him into an unlikely hero his town has never forgotten. Writer-Director Isaac Mayne is a filmmaker and creative director whose work focuses on justice and communities.
Sqrauks
Writer: Jason Smith
Director: Lisa Smith
Producers: Jason Smith, Lisa Smith, Patrin Films
A personal documentary about Welsh–Romany grandmother Margaret Smith, whose community’s ancient culture of nomadism is being eroded by draconian laws and gentrification. Lisa and Jason have each made numerous short films, including with Random Acts. They are passionate about telling the stories of Roma and Traveller communities with authentic representation.
Five earlier Beacons shorts recently premiered on BBC Wales and are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer: Tracy Spottiswoode’s LGBTQ+ period drama Sally Leapt Out of a Window Last Night, Charlotte James’ coming-of-age drama Doss House, Siôn Marshall-Waters’ documentary Forest Coal Pit, Peter Darney’s drama G♭, and Geraint Morgan’s horror Geronimo.
Nick Andrews, BBC Cymru Wales Head of Commissioning, commented: "Another super varied slate of films for BBC Cymru Wales and iPlayer. It's a showcase of brilliant work, which audiences get to enjoy from Wales and right across the UK. It is a terrific slate of shorts which make a tangible impact. A superb initiative to be involved with."
The next round of Beacons short film funding is due to open in 2024.