Film Hub Wales (FHW) has awarded over £100,000 of BFI National Lottery funding to nineteen independent Welsh cinemas and film festivals, through its Film Exhibition Fund.

Funds will enable Welsh audiences to watch the latest UK independent and international films in their local communities, at affordable prices. From relaxed, family friendly films to eco cinema strands and the latest Welsh releases, there’s plenty to choose from.

Audiences in Bridgend and Blaenau Ffestiniog will even get to watch the films in exciting new cinema spaces. Awen Cultural Trust is launching its Llynfi Valley Cinema Project alongside at Maesteg Town Hall following its multi-million-pound redevelopment. At Cellb, their new ‘Sgrin Emyr Ankst’, opens in memory of Welsh music and cinema pioneer Emyr Glyn Williams – his legacy is set to inspire the young people of Wales for many years to come.

Rhys Roberts from Cellb explains the importance of their new screen to the community:

“Cellb is located in the center of the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, a high mountainous location under the Stiniog quarries with its rich past history in industry, heritage and culture. It was the location for the first ever Welsh language film, Y Chwarelwr, an important film that reflects the lives of the local quarrymen in its community. Its past historic Culture and Welsh language was a vital part of the social and cultural dynamics. Today, we feel that it’s important to celebrate and to educate our young people about modern heroes such as Emyr and it is with this in mind that we wish to dedicate our Screen 1 to his name. Our youths need role models, whom have flourished in the arts and culture and Emyr is a fine example of a local boy who dreamt big and made a huge impact on Welsh Culture. This is for you Emyr, you have inspired us and we will shine your beacon on to the masses for years to come. Diolch Emyr, Caru chdi.”

At the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven, they’re building relationships with their audiences and local partners, exploring global themes of intersectional identity through their film programme. They’re opening up the space to new communities by celebrating important awareness dates such as Black History Month, LGBTQIA+ History Month and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Chelsey Gillard, The Torch’s Artistic Director explains:

“We are thrilled to work with Film Hub Wales to deliver a series of celebratory cinema seasons across six months. This funding will allow us to build relationships with our communities and discover what people want to see at their local cinema, informing our long-term sustainability. By working with partners across Wales that bring a wealth of lived experiences, we will be able to screen a wider variety of films and facilitate post-screening events that we hope will support discussion, reflection and connection.”

Other highlights include youth-led activities at Taliesin Arts Centre in Swansea and Theatr Gwaun in Fishguard, works screened from neurodivergent filmmakers at both Hijinx Unity Festival and through Cardiff Animation Festival’s Different Voices strand, as well as a nature/ecology in horror strand at Abertoir International Horror Festival – think disgusting real-life parasites and ‘nature fights back’.

Hana Lewis, Strategic Manager for Film Hub Wales adds:

“The fund is designed to help cinemas, festivals and community screens to bring the best UK independent and international films to Welsh audiences, in accessible and affordable ways. There’s so much to look forward to this year, which communities simply can’t get from watching a film at home. By heading out to their local cinema space, they’re already part of something bigger within their community and with a host of activities on offer, audiences get a night out for the price of their ticket.”

The projects are supported by Film Hub Wales, which is part of the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) using funds from the National Lottery to ensure the greatest choice of cinema is available to everyone across the UK. Funds in Wales are administered by FHW via Chapter as the Film Hub Lead Organisation.

More than £30M is raised each week for good causes across the UK by the National Lottery.