Welsh Government Launches Production Fund

The Welsh Government’s creative agency Creative Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales have created a £1 million ($1.2 million) per annum fund for films intended for theatrical release.

The fund will open for applications in July and will run for an initial period of two years. Up to £600,000 ($720,000) will be available per project for eligible films, with up to £400,000 ($480,000) grant funding from Creative Wales and up to £200,000 ($240,000) via Ffilm Cymru lottery funds, which they administer on behalf of the Arts Council of Wales.

At least £12 million ($14.5 million) will be generated for the Welsh economy across the initial two years of the fund, providing a post-Covid boost for Wales’ creatives, cast, crew, services and facilities.

Under Ffilm Cymru’s management, there will be a focus on films featuring Wales-born or Wales-based writers, directors and producers at their helm.

This new partnership between Ffilm Cymru and Creative Wales builds on a foundation of collaboration that has already seen co-funding of Euros Lyn’s Dream Horse and Mad as Birds Films’ The Almond and the Seahorse.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden said: “Since its inception, Creative Wales has been reviewing its approach to improving and enhancing its support for TV and film production, with a new production funding offer for TV and games also now available. This new and improved investment package for film is next in a suite of improved investments for the sector.

“This new approach to film will boost film production in Wales, stimulating growth in the number and variety of productions made in Wales, whilst also maximizing the economic impact on the local economy, improving employment opportunities, furthering support for the development of a skilled workforce and further demonstrating the excellence of Wales on-screen through our world-class talent, crews, facilities and unique locations.

“This unique partnership between Creative Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales, following on from the recent Memorandums of Understanding with the BBC and S4C, is a further example of how our partnership approach is driving growth and talent development in the creative industries in Wales.”

Pauline Burt, chief executive of Ffilm Cymru, added: “Having long worked directly with Welsh independent filmmakers to help bring their feature film projects to fruition, we are delighted to be collaborating with Creative Wales on our shared objectives. The production fund will continue to center Welsh talent, whilst streamlining access to funding and tailoring the offer to producers’ and the wider sector’s needs.”