Saturday 24 March 2007

Chwithedd Cyfoeth Ebrill or ‘April's Embarrassment of Riches’


By Mark Leslie Woods

Almost every March, I travel to South Florida for the Miami International Film Festival.
Two years ago this past week, the American film industry papers were full of news of a Welsh film win, as Amma Asante’s, A Way of Life won the 2005 Miami Grand Jury prize.

But each year, I barely get my March Miami Beach suntan started and I have to hurry back to Cardiff.
That’s because, every April, in daffodil-splendid Wales, we seem to have a Welsh Film and Media ‘embarrassment of riches’ when it comes to stimulating and gala affairs related to film, television and music.

2007 promises to be no different from previous years.

But before we get to April, March is busy enough: New to the Welsh March calendar is Zoom Cymru, the Wales International Young People’s Film Festival.

March ends with the fabulous pan-Celtic, Celtic Media Festival, an itinerant festival held in different Celtic venue each year, this year in the breath-taking Isle of Skye.
Welsh film and TV producers will be flushed with the thrill of awards and Celtic victories, just in time for parade of media events on Cambria’s fair shores.

Headlining this year’s April line up, is the Welsh Media Conference, known as Cyfrwng.

This event, heralding the release of an academic journal by the same name, is populated with regular ‘Who’s Who’ of prominent media celebrities and scholars.
In the itinerant tradition of the National Welsh Eisteddfod and Celtic Media Festival, Cyfrwng Conference, is hosted by a different Welsh Film or Welsh Media School, each year.

Occurring almost simultaneously with the Cyfrwng Welsh Media Conference, is Dr. Rea Dennis’ Music, Drama and Television Conference called ‘Improvisation Continuums.’
The University of Glamorgan’s Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries is hosting this impressive line-up, together with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

April ends with the gala BAFTA Cymru Awards Ceremony, making April one of the most socially active months each year for Welsh film, TV, music and drama industry events, concerts, and scholarly fare.

Find out more:

Zoom Cymru 22-25 March, South Wales Valleys, Wales International Young People’s Film Festival
http://www.zoomcymru.com/

Celtic Media Festival 28-30 March, Isle of Skye
http://www.celticfilm.co.uk/

Cyfrwng Welsh Media Conference 13-14 April, University of Wales, Swansea http://www.cyfrwng.com/

Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries presents:
Improvisation Continuums 11-14 April, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
http://glamlife.isd.glam.ac.uk/newsevents/294/497 http://glamlife.isd.glam.ac.uk/newsevents/294/497
impro2007@glam.ac.uk

BAFTA Cymru Saturday 28 April 2007 -- The Annual BAFTA Cymru Film, Television and New Media Awards Ceremony is to be held at the Cardiff International Arena.
For further details contact the BAFTA Cymru office on 02920 223898 or email lisa@bafta-cymru.org.uk
http://www.bafta-cymru.org.uk/

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