Awen Cultural Trust has been awarded £5,000 of National Lottery funding by Film Hub Wales through its Film Exhibition Fund to bring affordable cinema to Maesteg Town Hall, following its multi-million-pound redevelopment.

To celebrate the launch of Y Bocs Oren Cinema in the Hall’s brand new studio space, there will be a full day of films with Welsh connections on Saturday 30th November. These include: Kensuke’s Kingdom at 10am; The Proud Valley at 1pm; Patagonia at 4pm; and Under Milk Wood at 7pm.

Throughout December, family friendly festive favourites will be shown on the big screen in the lead-up to Christmas, including Home Alone, The Muppets Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Holiday. Tickets are just £4.20 each from www.maestegtownhall.com.

Plans are also underway for the first Llynfi Valley Film Festival in March 2025. Believed to be the only festival of its kind in South Wales, the festival will offer a curated programme of Welsh language films to help promote Wales, its successful creative industries and Cymraeg to local audiences.

Richard Hughes, Chief Executive of Awen Cultural Trust, said:

“It has always been Awen’s ambition, in partnership with our colleagues at Bridgend County Borough Council, to provide a high-quality cinema experience, which is accessible and affordable for all, as part of the redeveloped Maesteg Town Hall. Thanks to this funding from Film Hub Wales, we can offer the communities of Maesteg, and further afield, new opportunities to enjoy a range of international and independent films in a sociable, warm and comfortable setting. As leader of an organisation which is so proud of its Welsh culture and heritage, I am delighted that we will be hosting the Llynfi Valley Film Festival next year, and I look forward to welcoming Welsh speakers, learners and supporters to Y Bocs Oren.”

Hana Lewis, Strategic Manager of Film Hub Wales added:

“We’re delighted to support this important new project, which will bring a greater choice of films and cultural activities to audiences across the Llynfi Valley. Cinemas are increasingly at the heart of Welsh communities, offering many vital services that keep people connected, so it’s a joy to see this much-loved building reopen. We actually worked with Maesteg Town Hall many years ago when the cinema programme was trialled, so to see this come full circle, with a beautiful new space and film programme is fantastic. It’s a huge achievement for the team at Awen Cultural Trust.”

Councillor Jane Gebbie, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services, Health and Wellbeing, added:

“We are delighted that our partners at Awen have managed to secure this additional funding to bring more UK independent and international films to local audiences.

“The Llynfi Valley Film Festival will be an exciting addition to the 2025 arts and cultural calendar for the newly reopened Maesteg Town Hall.”