The development agency for Welsh film has selected four new short films to progress into production 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.
In November eight short film projects were selected to embark on a period of development, with Ffilm Cymru Wales providing funding, guidance and mentoring from experienced filmmakers including Julia Alcamo, Prano Bailey-Bond, Jay Bedwani, Loran Dunn, Pierre Hodgson, Christopher Morris and Stella Nwimo. Following the development process, four projects have now been commissioned into production, including two poignant and personal documentaries and a Welsh-language animated drama.
Jude Lister, Ffilm Cymru Wales’ Manager of Development & Production, says: “We can’t wait to work with these talented Welsh filmmakers on such compelling and distinctive short film projects. It’s been a particularly strong year for documentaries, which make up half of this year’s Beacons production slate.”
Green Light
Writer/Director: Zahra Al-Sultani
Producers: Hayley Williams, Emily Beynon
Production Companies: Agile Films, Caspian Films
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, directed a music video for emerging artist Nayiem, and was recently Writer in Residence at Sister Pictures. She says “I’m so grateful to Ffilm Cymru Wales, BFI NETWORK and BBC Cymru Wales for giving Green Light the opportunity to go further after a brilliant and insightful development period. I really look forward to embarking on the next chapter of this journey with a great team, and for all the lessons that await!”
Holm
Writer: Nico Dafydd
Directors: Nico Dafydd, Lleucu Non
Producer: Amy Morris
Production Company: 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. Lleucu says “I’m excited to share that Holm has received funding from Beacons to bring a compelling story to life - one about a young woman, her father, and the mysterious Manx Shearwater of Pembrokeshire. We’re going old school with hand-drawn animation, infusing the film with a raw, textured feel that captures Cati’s emotional journey. I can’t wait to explore the delicate balance between the comfort of home and the enigmatic experience of moving to university for the first time.”
Rick on the Roof
Director: Isaac Mayne
Producer: Nan Davies
Production Company: One Wave Films
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. He says “We're incredibly honoured to be selected. I can't wait to share Rick's bittersweet, uplifting and slightly bizarre story with the world, and to preserve the impact that one man on his roof made on my hometown of Barry.”
The Earth Beneath Margaret’s Feet (previously Sqrauks)
Writer/Producer: Jason Smith
Director/Producer: Lisa Smith
Production Company: 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, and are passionate about telling the stories of Roma and Traveller communities with authentic representation. Lisa says “We are so happy to have been awarded the funding to realise this personal film, and make more visible Welsh-Romani identity and our ancestral connection to the landscape.”
Since 2014 the Beacons scheme has produced 35 short films seen on cinema, television and digital screens around the world. 12 Beacons Short Films From Wales are currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer, including Efa Blosse-Mason’s romantic animation Cwch Deilen (Leaf Boat), Siôn Marshall-Waters’ intimate documentary portrait Forest Coal Pit, and Geraint Morgan’s nightmarish horror Geronimo, which recently won the Best Short Film award at Abertoir International Horror Festival.
Nick Andrews, BBC Cymru Wales Head of Commissioning, comments: “The team at BBC Cymru Wales are really pleased to be backing the very best talent for another year. BBC Cymru Wales has had its biggest year of drama on record and there are more titles to come. Beacons is part of our scripted investment strategy and continues to nurture on and offscreen talent for us to commission, and it’s cool to be involved again.”
The next round of Beacons short film funding is due to open this Spring.