Awen Cultural Trust will host the first Gŵyl Ffilm Cwm Llynfi (Llynfi Valley Film Festival) at Maesteg Town Hall from 12th – 15th March.
The festival, which has received National Lottery funding from Film Hub Wales through its Film Exhibition Fund, will feature Welsh language films with English surtitles, Q&As with filmmakers and filmmaking workshops. A full programme of events is listed below.
Richard Hughes, Chief Executive of Awen Cultural Trust, said:
“At Awen, we are committed to providing opportunities for the community to experience culture through the medium of Welsh, whether you are fluent, a learner or supporter of the language.
“We are particularly pleased to be screening ‘Gwlad! Gwlad!’ a film version of Awen’s first Welsh language play, which was produced for last year’s National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd. We know that the Llynfi Valley communities are so proud of their heritage so it is fitting that a play about the composition of ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ is shown in Maesteg, where the national anthem was performed for the very first time.
“We are grateful to Film Hub Wales, Ffilm Cymru, BFI, The National Lottery and our partner Bridgend County Borough Council for their support with this inaugural festival.”
Hana Lewis, Head of Film Hub Wales added:
“We’re delighted to support the first Llynfi Valley Film Festival through our film exhibition fund, in this incredible new space at Maesteg Town Hall. We hope that the festival will help to grow audiences here. One that loves cinema in all its forms and one that seeks out Welsh film. The festival also connects closely to our Made in Wales initiative, which is designed to celebrate films with Welsh connections. It offers a perfect opportunity for the relaunch of a new scan of Emlyn Williams’ 2000 Bafta winner Oed Yr Addewid, which we have been delighted to partner with the National Library of Wales’ Screen and Sound Archive to re-release. We hope this is the first of many festivals to come.”
| Wednesday 12th March | 11.30am – 1.30pm | Free to drop in | Harpist and singer: Bethan Nia |
| 7pm | Tickets from £5 | Film: Oed yr Addewid (15) | |
| Thursday 13th March
|
10am, 11am and 12pm | Free to drop in | Ffilm Cymru presents a series of short films: Cwch Deilen, Fisitor, Dim Ond Ti a Mi, Hounds of Annwn, Organic (age guide 12+) |
| 2pm – 4pm (with break) | Free but book in advance | Panel: Ffilm Cymru presents a panel on Welsh language filmmaking, including creatives from films and organisations such as Gwledd, Patagonia, Sinema Cymru, Cwch Deilen, Fisitor and Dim Ond Ti a Mi | |
| 7pm | Tickets from £5 | Film: Gwledd (18) | |
| Friday 14th March | 10am | Tickets from £4 | Film: Hedd Wyn (15) |
| 2pm | Free but book in advance | Film: Gwlad! Gwlad! | |
| Saturday 15th March | 10am | Free but book in advance | Film: Superted – Y Siop Degannau & Afon Teifi (PG) |
| 12.30pm | Free but book in advance | Workshop: Screen Alliance Wales Filmmaking Workshop (12 – 18 years) |
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.maestegtownhall.com
