Mae 'euraid' enillydd BAFTA Cymru cerddoriaeth ffilmiau; Welsh BAFTA Film Music Winner is 'Gold'

Michael Beek at the website 'Music from the Movies' writes:
Welsh BAFTA for Murray Gold:

The best music being written for the small screen at the moment is without doubt Murray Gold’s Doctor Who. Every Saturday evening on BBC1 the time-travelling doctor’s adventures are accompanied by a full, blazing orchestral score and the quality of the work, week in, week out, is astounding.

It’s a numbing schedule for the composer, but once in a while a well deserved pat on the back comes along and one such accolade came Gold’s way this weekend. Saturday night (April 28th) saw the BAFTA Cymru Awards, aka the Welsh BAFTAs, which took place at Cardiff International Arena.

Murray Gold took home the award for Best Original Music Soundtrack for the Doctor Who episode ‘The Impossible Planet’, beating himself and Ben Foster for the series’ spin-off Torchwood and David Ayers and Felix Todd for the popular BBC series Tribe.

For those of you wondering why Doctor Who is in the running for Welsh BAFTAs then it’s because it’s produced by BBC Wales and filmed in and around Cardiff, even the music is recorded there. The hugely popular series won in eight of the thirteen categories it was nominated, a great achievement indeed.
Read more here
Visit BAFTA Cymru
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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods

Gwyl Cerddoriaeth Cymreig Morgannwg ym Mhontypridd Mis Mawrth 29 / Glamorgan Sponsors Top Welsh Music Festival Saturday 26 May

Pictured Left: The Lost Prophets Band

One of Wales’ biggest music festivals ‘The Full Ponty’ has named ATRiuM, the University of Glamorgan’s Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries as a main sponsor of this year’s event.

As part of the festival, which will play host to the Lost Prophets’ homecoming gig, the University will host the ‘ATRiuM’ stage on Saturday 26th May.

Bands appearing on the ATRiuM stage on the day include; ‘Paramore’, ‘Kids in Glass Houses’, ‘Silverstein’, ‘The Ghost of a Thousand’, ‘The New 1920’, ‘Eric Unseen’ and ‘Dopamine’.

This year the Full Ponty Festival, expected to attract 10,000 music fans, will consist of One Big Day at the park in Pontypridd, with some of the best names in Welsh, British and Transatlantic rock music coming together.

The University’s sponsorship deal comes ahead of the opening of the ATRiuM building in Cardiff city centre in September.

ATRiuM will be the home of the Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries and will, at its purpose built, state of the art campus, bring together all creative disciplines under one roof including arts, media, design, music and performing arts.

Peter Crofts, Head of Marketing and Student Recruitment at the University commented, “Supporting young creative talent is at the heart of our new faculty in Cardiff and we are delighted to be working in partnership with the Full Ponty to showcase young bands on the ATRiuM stage. The opening of ATRiuM is an exciting development for the University of Glamorgan and will be a nurturing ground for the creative talent of the future.”

Emyr Afan, CEO of The Pop Factory, the organisers of The Full Ponty commented, “We are delighted to be working with such an innovative institution as the Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries. The ATRiuM will be a huge asset to Wales, nurturing home grown creative talent and further developing our already vibrant media industry. We at The Pop Factory are very excited about working with the University and look forward to a long and fruitful partnership”.

Issued by: University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL
Contact: Press Office on 01443 483362
The Full Ponty, Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd
Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries
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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods

Do you want to be one the future movers and shakers of British Television?

Calling all future stars of TV!

TVYP–August 23–27,Edinburgh Applications now OPEN!

Do you want to be one the future movers and shakers of British Television? Would you like to meet some of the most renowned and influential leading lights of the media industry as well as young people from all over the UK with similar passions and interests to your own? Want to hang out for five days in one of the coolest capital cities in Europe during its most exciting and busiest month? If so, read on…

If you’re 18 + and have an interest in pursuing a career in television then there’s only one place to be this summer. The TVYP (Television and Young People) event is the UK's leading forum for young people aspiring to work in television. It takes place over 5 days from August 23rd – 27th in Edinburgh - possibly one of the most exciting European cities to be in during the summer months. And if think you won’t be able to afford it, think again! The only cost delegates are required to cover is transport to and from the Festival. TVYP covers the cost of accommodation and food for the five days! This really is the opportunity of a life-time.

At TVYP, delegates have the opportunity to meet, work with and learn from leading creative industry practitioners ranging from scriptwriters to producers, presenters to publicists, programme schedulers to commissioning editors. Past speakers have ranged from celebrities such as Vernon Kay, Sir Trevor McDonald and Graham Norton as well as leading industry figures including Jana Bennett, Director of BBC Vision, Tim Hincks, Endemol’s Chief Creative Officer, writer Russell T Davies and broadcaster Jon Snow.

To apply for this unique event you’ll need to show you’ve got what it takes to succeed in the industry by answering four questions. There are 150 places for those with the strongest ideas and who demonstrate their passion for TV, so take your time, have a good think and put everything into the answers. Also remember to clearly read the application hints and guidelines before you start. To register and apply for this year’s event click below.

Applications close on May 4th. Successful applicants will notified by letter by the end of June 2007. Good luck!
To find out more information about TVYP click here
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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods

Looking for Old BBC Programmes? BBC to open up archive for trial

BBC to open up archive for trial

"The BBC is to open up its vast archive of video and audio in an on-demand trial involving more than 20,000 people in the UK.
Full-length programmes, as well as scripts and notes, will be available for download from the BBC's website.

"The pilot is part of the BBC's plans to eventually offer more than a million hours of TV and radio from its archive.

"The BBC's Future Media boss Ashley Highfield made the announcement at an industry conference in Cannes.

""Our audience increasingly want and expect to dictate how, when and where they get our services," he told the conference.

"Mr Highfield, director of Future Media and Technology, said the BBC was starting to deliver content in a "hybrid environment", in which digital TV, radio, the web, set-top boxes and personal video recorders were combining to offer interactive services."
BBC to open up archive for trial
People who are interested in participating in the trial should register at bbc.co.uk/archive.
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Live Debate! CREATIVE FUTURES - Politics, Creativity And Culture In Wales - GBC, University of Glamorgan, 7.30pm, Mon 23rd April.

CREATIVE FUTURES - Politics, Creativity And Culture In Wales - GBC, University of Glamorgan, 7.30pm, Mon 23rd April.

In the run up to the Assembly elections next month an opportunity to hear the views of the four major parties in Wales about the future of Creativity and Culture in Wales has been organised to take place in the University at 7.30pm on Monday 23th of April in the Glamorgan Business Centre here at the University in Treforest.

Chaired by Joan Bakewell (tbc) the event will give us an opportunity to hear about policy and aspiration for the Arts, Creativity and Culture in Wales, explore the role of Creative Industries and to question the politicians about all of this. A spokesman from each of the parties will describe current policy thinking and provide an opportunity for this to be discussed.

Don't miss an opportunity to influence policy. Admission is free.

Posted on on behalf of Professor Hamish Fyfe (CCI).

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S4C Promises to Awaken to Potential of U.K., American Welsh Diaspora Audiences

CELTIC MEDIA FESTIVAL 29 March 2007: From the Keynote Speech by Iona Jones, Chief Executive, S4C

"The 2001 Census showed that there are 158,000 Welsh speakers living outside Wales in the UK. So our contribution should not be limited to sustaining the Welsh language and culture exclusively in Wales. It should be available to the Welsh Diaspora and those with an interest in high quality original content.

"TG4’s obligation to reach the Irish Diaspora highlights the need to promote the diversity of culture which is provided by indigenous language broadcasters, throughout the UK and beyond.

"We believe that we should be available to the public across all of the major platforms throughout the UK and have requested the BBC and DCMS to consider post switchover carriage of our public services throughout the UK.

"Ultimately, our ambition is global. We are aware that there is a market for S4C content abroad and for promoting and reflecting a modern Wales throughout the world. For example, S4C programmes were sold to more than 30 countries during 2006 alone.

"Subject to rights clearances and the requirements of our content providers, convergence allows this to become a reality through the opening up of new digital opportunities. Last year, our website, featuring coverage of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, received over 707,000 hits from around the world.

"Our recent call to arms for the Jones’ of the world to come together to break a world record saw us reaching, through press coverage, 27 million North Americans. It also saw participants from the US, Australia and beyond visiting Wales for the first time to enjoy our unique cultural heritage. What’s more we are now in the Guinness Book of Records!"

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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods

Cyfrwng Welsh Media Conference Friday: Concern Continues over Swansea Trains

Cyfrwng Welsh Media Conference Begins Tomorrow at the University of Wales, Swansea, Singleton Park Campus. All delegates are encouraged to allow extra travelling time, since the trains are still causing delays . . .

National Rail Enquiries

Read more about the CYFRWNG 2007 CONFERENCE

University of Wales Swansea
13-14 April 2007

Devolution and the Development of Media in Wales

The Cyfrwng conference is an opportunity for academics, students and media practitioners to discuss key issues facing the media in Wales.

Cyfrwng 2007 is hosted by the University of Wales Swansea and the conference will address debates surrounding devolution and the media, including the relationship between the media and the Assembly, developments in the task of reporting politics in Wales, issues of regulation, changes in the commissioning process, and changes in national theatres.

Keynote speakers confirmed for this conference include:

Huw Edwards, BBC News
Rhys Evans, Deputy Head of News & Current Affairs BBC Wales
Lowri Gwilym, S4C Commissioning Editor, General Factual
Clare Hudson, BBC Wales Head of Programmes (English)
Elis Owen, ITV Wales Controller of Programmes
John Geraint, Green Bay
Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, The National Assembly for Wales Presiding Officer
Leighton Andrews, AM Rhondda
Professor Steve Blandford, University of Glamorgan
Paul Jones, Teledu Apollo
Ed Thomas, Fiction Factory
Angharad Jones, S4C Commissioning Editor, Drama and Films
Peter Edwards, Film Agency for Wales
Professor Hazel Walford Davies
Gareth Miles
Michael Bogdanov, Theatre Wales Company
Professor Dai Smith, University of Wales Swansea
Martin Shipton, Western Mail
Spencer Feeney, South Wales Evening Post
Patrick Hannan, BBC Wales
Aled Price, Y Byd
Mary Traynor, University of Glamorgan
Julie Barton
Andrew Jones, GTFM
Rhodri Williams, Ofcom

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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods

Leading N. Irish Film Academic Says Watching Television Is Good For You

Professor Máire Messenger Davies
Director, Centre for Media Research,
Director, Media Studies Research Institute
University of Ulster at Coleraine

TV Triumphs In Digital Era

TV is good for you. That’s the message from leading academic and professional television watcher Professor Máire Messenger Davies of the University of Ulster.

Television is confidently fending off competition spawned by digital technology and is set to remain the nation’s first-choice platform for information and entertainment.

TV is innovative, informative and lively but to ensure its continued popularity networks must defend and promote the professionalism that creates quality programmes.

“When you look at main network programmes on BBC, ITV/UTV, they are still getting the bulk of their target sectors,” she said on Thursday. “The same pattern emerged in America when the birth of cable television triggered fears of viewer fragmentation.”

Professor Messenger Davies, a lifelong media researcher and a recognised expert on the television medium, particularly in relation to young audiences, is Professor of Media Studies and Director of the Centre for Media Research at the School of Media, Film and Journalism.

“It’s programmes that people love and get excited about. My main argument is that TV at its best makes and provides good programmes. Take any office or workplace any morning. Over the water-cooler, the conversation is about last night’s big TV show, drama or documentary – everything from Big Brother to Panorama,” she said in her inaugural professorial lecture delivered at Coleraine this week.

Read more about Professor Messenger Davies

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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods

Penarth's Boomerang Group lands lucrative S4C deal for Welsh Children's Programming

CARDIFF-BASED production television company, Boomerang, has secured a lucrative contract to provide S4C with programme continuity coverage for its children's output.

Boomerang won the two-year contract, worth around £1.8m annually, in a competitive tender - which included counter bids from the likes of media companies Presentable and Tinopolis.

As part of its outsourcing strategy, S4C's in-house programme link content - under its Planed Plant and Planed Plant Bach platforms - will be provided by Boomerang from October.

The contract also covers interactive link content, including the web and text.

S4C's director of commissioning, Rhian Gibson, said, 'Providing the best possible service for children is one of S4C's key aims and this contract won by Boomerang, denotes the latest exciting step in our commitment to this genre.'

Penarth's Boomerang Group lands lucrative S4C deal for Welsh Children's Programming

Read more about Boomerang

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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods

Worldwide Attention on South Wales Again as Dr. Who Series 3 Starts 31 March 2007

Officially labeled "Series 3" by the BBC, Doctor Who, Season 29 began airing (in Britain) with a 60-minute Christmas special on December 25, 2006. This was followed by a regular season of thirteen 43-minute episodes which began airing on the BBC on March 31st, 2007.

The SciFi Channel's Doctor Who site briefly stated that the American premier of the season will be in the summer of 2007. But, this statement was quickly taken down. So, it may not be official.

Read more about Dr. Who in America at Scifipedia

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Irish & Scottish Filmmakers to Shine at London's Wood Green Film Fest 20-22 April

Wood Green International Film Festival

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Brad Gann's 'Black Irish' (2006) Screens Next Week at Newport, California Film Fest

Black Irish's World Premier was at the Hampton's International Film Fest, and then on to a warm reception at the Boston International Film Fest, and next week, as the California sun sets . . .

Plot Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Cole McKay's struggle for independence is put to the test as his South Boston Irish-Catholic family implodes around him. Older brother Terry is descending into a life of drugs and crime. Pregnant sister Kathleen is being sent away to cover the shame of unwed motherhood and Cole's father, Desmond, spends his days in a fog of alcohol and self-pity.

The one thing keeping young Cole's head above water is his love of baseball. A talented pitcher, Cole overcomes his self-doubt and family indifference to play in the state championships. Along the way, he must make a life and death decision, which will change the McKay family forever.

DIRECTOR: Brad Gann
CAST: Brendan Gleeson, Emily Vancamp, Melissa Leo, Michael Angarano, Michael Rispoli, Tom Guiry
PRODUCERS: Brad Gann, Jeffrey Orenstein, J. Todd Harris, Kelly Crean, Mark Donadio
cinematographer: Michael Fimognari
screenwriter: Brad Gann
editor: Andrea Bottigliero

Read about the Newport Beach Film Fest

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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods

Bonnie & Clyde's Faye Dunaway in new Welsh Horror film

Faye Dunaway and BBC Wales Comedy star Boyd Clack star in the new Welsh film FLICK (2007).

Recent Filming locations for Flick (2007) include:

Briton Ferry Industrial Estate, Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK

Briton Ferry, Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK

Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales, UK

Newbridge Memorial Hall, Newport, Wales, UK

Pontypool, Torfaen, Wales, UK

Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales, UK

Read about Flick at IMDB

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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods

Gwyl Film Ewropeaidd -- FESTIVAL DEL CINEMA EUROPEO: Lecce dal 17 al 22 aprile 2007

The eighth edition of the European Cinema Festival will take place in Lecce from the 17th to the 22nd April at the Cityplex Santalucia.

L’ottava edizione del Festival del Cinema Europeo, riconosciuto dal Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali come manifestazione d’interesse nazionale, si terrà a Lecce dal 17 al 22 aprile 2007 presso il Cityplex Santalucia.

Ideato ed organizzato dall’Associazione Culturale “Art Promotion” si svolge con il Patrocinio del Comune di Lecce, del Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali-Direzione Generale Cinema, della Regione Puglia, della Provincia di Lecce, del Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, del S.N.C.C.I., del S.N.G.C.I., della FIPRESCI, dell’AIACE Nazionale, dell’AGISCUOLA, dell’Agis di Puglia e Basilicata, della Direzione Generale dell’Ufficio Scolastico Regionale e dell’Università degli Studi di Lecce ed è membro del Coordinamento Europeo dei Festival del Cinema e dell’Associazione Festival Italiani di Cinema.

Il Festival si avvale del Comitato dei Garanti (ne fanno parte Krzysztof Zanussi, Citto Maselli, Morando Morandini, Emidio Greco, Gianni Volpi, Gianni Massaro) che ha il compito di certificare la qualità e la validità culturale della manifestazione.

La selezione dei paesi partecipanti mira a realizzare presso il Festival un incontro fra operatori culturali, rappresentanti delle istituzioni di parti artisticamente diverse dell’Europa: condividere e, dunque, valorizzare a livello europeo le cinematografie considerate a bassa capacità di produzione.

Questa politica nella selezione dei film è in coerenza con l’obiettivo principale del Festival del Cinema Europeo che mira a diventare una vetrina per tutti i giovani registi e tutte le nuove forme di espressione del cinema europeo che hanno difficoltà di accesso al mercato.

European Cinema Festival

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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods 'Ciao ragazzi!'

U.S. Film Critics Offended by 'Fake Welsh' Accents

US film critics slap Calcutta-born Welsh

Movie accents more Bangalore than Bangor

US film critics have lined up to have a pop at the "Welsh" accents in The Last Sin Eater - "a creepy religious drama" regarding a Welsh immigrant community living in America's Appalachian mountains.

According to icWales, the movie centres on this "superstitious group" which "lives in fear of a 'sin eater', a mysterious man they believe can cleanse a dead body by taking on the recently departed person's sins". It's a FoxFaith production, which is apparently "dedicated to making family-friendly films with a religious message".

One thing it's evidently not dedicated to, though, is linguistic accuracy. The Fort Worth Weekly dismissed one character's Welsh accent as being "closer to Calcutta than Cardiff", while Western Mail film critic Gary Slaymaker said the film "sounds like it could be going back to the days of How Green Was My Valley". Film buffs will no doubt shudder at the recollection of this splendid attempt by Hollywood to recreate the local lingo, "full of Oscar-winning scenes laced with 'look you' and 'isn't it'," as Slaymaker puts it.

In fact, The Last Sin Eater has only one genuine son of the valleys - Holby City's Peter Wingfield - who plays said sin eater. Presumably, it was him the Christian Post was describing when its favourable review offered: "The actors sport thick Welsh accents, providing a nice, authentic touch."

Quite why the majority of US critics are so offended by this particular outrage remains a mystery. Hollywood has always had a somewhat cavalier attitude towards foreign accents, as those of you scarred for life by Dick van Dyke's chirpy Cockney in Mary Poppins will attest.

Read the article by Lester Haines here

The Last Sin Eater

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© 2007 Mark Leslie Woods

Welsh, Scottish Schools Lead World with Al Gore's Green Oscar Film

Al Gore's film won the Oscar for best documentary in February

Former US vice president Al Gore's climate change film will be sent to all Welsh secondary schools and colleges, says the Welsh assembly government. Environment Minister Carwyn Jones said An Inconvenient Truth, which won the best documentary Oscar, would be a "valuable resource".

It looks at the scientific evidence for the causes and likely impacts of global warming. A package of education materials will be issued along with the DVD.

The move is part of the Welsh Assembly Government's drive to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change and will cost £5,000. It follows a similar idea for Scottish schools.

Al Gore's green film for schools

BBC Documentary on Ohio Welsh Diaspora premiers April 13 in the states

Oak Hill, Ohio. A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) documentary that features southern Ohio in its discussion on the Welsh migration to America will be shown in Oak Hill on Friday, April 13.

The documentary has been shown in Wales already, and features the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College and its Madog Center for Welsh Studies, along with several area residents.

Jeanne Jindra, assistant director of the Madog Center, explained that the film will be shown beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 13 at the Welsh-American Heritage Museum in Oak Hill.

"It's fabulous,” Jindra said about the film. The documentary provides a fascinating look at the Welsh migration to southern Ohio, and features interviews with area residents Bob Evans and Mildred Bangert. During the time the filmmakers were at Rio Grande working on the film, by coincidence the Madog Center was holding its Faculty Fellowship Presentation, which focused on the Welsh migration to southern Ohio.

For related information, read about the Welsh in Youngstown, Ohio:

The Welsh in Youngstown, Ohio -- (also the birthplace of Marc Miami)

To read the entire article, please see:

BBC Documentary on Ohio Welsh

For more information on the film or on the Friday, April 13 event, call Jindra at the (University of Rio Grande) Madog Center at 1-800-282-7201. For additional information on the Madog Center, as well as information on the wide variety of academic and professional programs offered by Rio Grande, log onto

Madog Center for Welsh Studies

[Wales]
[Welsh]
[Celtic]
[Cymru]

Mae Gwyl Ieuenctid Llydaweg yn Dechrau dros y Penwythnos y Pasg

Mae Gwyl Ieuenctid Llydaweg yn Dechrau dros y Penwythnos y Pasg
Youth Festival Kicks Off in Brittany Easter Weekend

Arts in Brittany

Les jeunes en Bretagne

Un rendez-vous unique réalisé par et pour les jeunes en Bretagne !

- Interventions, échanges et rencontres avec des universitaires, chefs d’entreprises, militants associatifs, artistes, journalistes, …
- Conférences-débats, ateliers de discussion et d’initiation, soirées
et animations conviviales
- Espace d’échanges multilingues breton, gallo, français et ouverture à d’autres pays et cultures depuis 2005 : Pays de Galles, Cornouaille, Pologne, Allemagne, Communauté Wallonie-Bruxelles, Galice, Trento italien, Pays basque, Suisse romanche …

Le but des Universités Jeunes en Bretagne, c’est :
- offrir une information riche et diversifiée sur un thème de société
- conduire les participants à une réflexion personnelle et / ou collective sur leur environnement
- apporter une formation, sous forme d’ateliers pratiques, aux outils et moyens de communication utilisés en Bretagne et à travers le monde aujourd’hui

En 2007, l’Université a pour thème :
Des racines pour l’avenir…
Nouvelles formes d’expressions et de diffusions culturelles
Images de la Bretagne et économie
Ou comment la transmission de diverses pratiques culturelles et traditionnelles entre en jeu dans les pratiques économiques, sociales et culturelles de la Bretagne et du monde contemporains ?

Cet événement est mis en place grâce au soutien actif de jeunes adultes, souvent d’anciens participants, travaillant au sein de la Commission jeunesse du Conseil Culturel de Bretagne.

Un emgav dibar savet gant hag evit tud yaouank eus Breizh !

- Displegadennoù, eskemmoù ha kejadennoù gant skolveuridi, pennoù embregerezhioù, stourmerien kevredigezhioù, arzourien, kazetennerien, …
- Prezegennoù-diviz, stalioù-diviz ha stalioù-labour, beilhadegoù hag abadennoù buhezek
- Mareadoù evit eskemm e meur a yezh : brezhoneg, gallaoueg, galleg hag ivez evit dizoloiñ broioù ha sevenadurioù all abaoe 2005: Bro Gembre, Kerne Veur, Polonia, Bro Alamagn, Kumuniezh Wallonie-Bruxelles, Galisia, Trento italianek, Bro Euskadi, Suis …

Skol-Veur Yaouankiz Breizh a zo he fal :
- kelaouiñ evit gwir hag en un doare liesseurt diwar-benn an dodenn gevredigezhel
- lakaat ar berzhidi da brederiañ o unan hag ivez asambles gant ar re all diwar-benn o endro
- stummañ ha kelenn, dre stalioù-labour, ar binviji hag an doareoù da gehentiñ
a vez implijet e Breizh hiziv an deiz.

Tem ar Skol-veur a vo :
An doareoù nevez da ezteurel ha da skignañ ar sevenadur Skeudennoù Breizh hag ekonomiezh
Pe penaos treuzkas an doareoù liesseurt stag ouzh ar sevenadur hag an hengoun er bed ekonomikel, sokial ha sevenadurel a zo hini Breizh hiziv an deiz?

Krouet e vez an darvoud-mañ a-drugarez da dud yaouank leun a startijenn hag int bet alies perzhidi er bloavezhioù tremenet hag a gemer perzh bremañ e Bodad Yaouankiz Kuzul Sevenadurel Breizh.
[Bretagne]
[Breizh]
[Wales]
[Welsh]
[Celtic]
[Cymru]

Cardiff's Homeless Kids Benefit From Unique Film Project

Lights, Camera, Action as Homeless Young People Shoot their First Film!

Homeless young people in Cardiff have been given the opportunity to develop their life skills and improve their future prospects as part of a unique filmmaking project.

As part of their ‘Learning 4 Life’ programme, the South Wales youth homelessness charity, Llamau, have engaged more than 20 socially excluded and homeless young people who live in supported accommodation in a filmmaking project. The project is financed by the Film Agency for Wales, the Arts Council for Wales, Flick Television Company, the Freemasons South East Province, and the Oakdale Charitable Trust.

Initiated and led by producer and mentor Heledd Wyn, the young people have taken full and active ownership of the development and production of this series of short films, many of which are based on their own life stories. “Through the creative process of film making, the young people are unlocking their potential for visual story telling. We celebrate their achievements,” said Cardiff-born Heledd, who is also a professional director.

According to Frances Beecher, Chief Executive of Llamau, the filmmaking project has given the young people an opportunity to express themselves and has motivated them to learn more.

“Working in small groups, the young people have worked together to film, edit and produce their chosen short films. It has been a great opportunity for them to develop their communication and interpersonal skills while learning about the film industry,” she explained.

“Our hope is that the project will provide the inspiration that these vulnerable people need to improve their ability to integrate with society and develop their future prospects.”

“As a Film Agency, we are committed to providing financial support to education initiatives that are aimed at enhancing film literacy. Film education has the potential to bring a host of valuable, broader benefits such as developing communication
skills, general literacy, promoting social engagement and notions of citizenship.

We were keen to support the Llamau project as it enables vulnerable and socially excluded young people to enter an environment where they can develop their confidence and re-engage socially. Access to film should be a cultural entitlement,
rather than an activity reserved for the lucky few,” added Pauline Burt, Chief Executive of the Film Agency for Wales.

Film Agency for Wales is funded by the Arts Council for Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government and the UK Film Council. Further information is available at:

Film Agency for Wales

Llamau is a registered charity working in South Wales as specialist providers of advice, accommodation and support services to homeless young people with exceptionally high support needs, a client group that few other organisations are willing or able to assist.

Donate to Llamau here

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES SPIDER-MAN WEEK IN NYC

Why do audiences all love this monstrously handsome arachnid hero?

Tribeca Film Festival anchors media attention and audience attendance with the U.S. Premier of future blockbuster Spider Man 3, as the franchise continues . . .

In addition to the U.S. premiere in Queens, the Tribeca Film Festival will also present, with Columbia Pictures, simultaneous screenings in the other four boroughs. These free advance screenings will be open to the public and details about how these tickets can be secured will be released as the event approaches. Check back closer to the Festival for screening dates, times and details about how to get tickets.

Midnight Screenings
Spider-Man Screening
Tuesday, May 1, MIDNIGHT, Clearview Chelsea West 1
Spider-Man 2 Screening
Wednesday, May 2, MIDNIGHT, Clearview Chelsea West 1

Spider-Man Marathon
SPIDER-MAN, SPIDER-MAN 2 PLUS AN EXCLUSIVE
SNEAK PEEK OF SPIDER-MAN 3 ALL IN ONE SITTING
THURSDAY, May 3, 5 p.m., BMCC TribecaPac 1

For more information, updates and ticketing go the

Tribeca Film Festival Film Guide

Spider Man 3 (2007) at IMDB

Spiper Man 3 (2007) at Yahoo! Movies

Welsh Brothers Damian & Gareth Lewis's Dublin Thriller in Post-Production

Damian Lewis takes aim in
The Baker

The new feature film THE ESCAPIST (2007) has been filming in Dublin. THE ESCAPIST, a prison escape thriller with a twist set in the subterranean tunnels beneath London, shot for five weeks in Dublin and London. The production's Unit Publicists have informed us that the film is now in post-production.

THE ESCAPIST is the feature film debut of writer/director Rupert Wyatt, and boasts an ensemble of exciting British and Irish talent with internationally recognised names – Brian Cox (The Bourne Supremacy, Adaptation), Joe Fiennes (Running with Scissors, Shakespeare in Love), Liam Cunningham (The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Dog Soldiers), Seu Jorge (City of God, The Life Aquatic), Dominic Cooper (The History Boys, Starter for 10), Stephen Macintosh (The Mother, Lock Stock) and Damian Lewis (Band of Brothers, Keane).

Bord Scannán na hÉireann -- Irish Film Board

The Escapist (2007) at IMDB

Damian & Gareth Lewis recently wrote, directed and starred in a Welsh feature film comedy, The Baker (2007), about a hit man who has second thoughts about his career and who seeks refuge from his boss, by finding work as a baker in a rural Welsh village.

The Baker (2007) at IMDB

The Baker (2007) at BBC Film Network

Fancy a Fabulous Welsh Summer Holiday in Washington, D.C.?

The North American Festival of Wales is the largest gathering of the Welsh, descendants and friends in North America. Prepare yourself for 4 full days of enjoyment and camaraderie with old and new friends, celebrating the life, heritage and culture of Wales in Washington DC, one of North America’s top tourism and vacation destinations.

North American Festival of Wales 2007

featuring the 76th Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu 30 August - 2 September, 2007 Washington, D. C. Sponsored by the

Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association

Stay at the fabulous Hilton Alexandria for only $102 (£51) per night!!! Special events for the whole family -- singles, honeymooners, second honeymooners, retirees, children's events, special tours, golfing, swimming and museums available every day! All just a quick trip to the Smithsonian, National Art Museum, and much more!

This family event will be located in the West End of Historic Alexandria, The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel offers modern elegance and attentive service focused on the conference attendee. The hotel is within sight of the nation's Capitol and just ten minutes from the central business district of Washington, DC and its historic monuments, museums and exciting attractions. Hotel guests enjoy the benefit of also being close to Historic Old Town Alexandria with its quaint waterfront galleries, award winning restaurants and eclectic shops.

The hotel offers a daily complimentary shuttle connecting guests to all that the area has to offer directly or via access to the easy and safe metrorail system. Shuttles include stops to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the Pentagon City Fashion Centre withaccess to Metro and Old Town Alexandria, The hotel is also located on the Grayline Tour Company’s courtesy pick up schedule, which operates a variety of different tours embarking from Union Station.

There is truly something for everyone. Whether it’s a dinner cruise down the Potomac to historic Mount Vernon Plantation, a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, a tour though the recently opened National Portrait Gallery, or a 5-star dining experience in Georgetown, The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center is the ideal way to enjoy both the 2007 festival and the breathtaking sights of our nation’s capital.

The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center's unique lakeside setting, adjacent to the 43-acre Winkler Botanical Preserve, provides a tranquil oasis for travelers to Washington D.C. The preserve and the hotel’s lake campus provide a lovely place for strolling, relaxing on rustic benches, and enjoying the plants, ponds, and wildlife.The hotel received a $10.5 million dollar renovation in 2006 and features many upgraded Hilton amenities. Enjoy the indoor/outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center and sunlit meeting rooms.

In addition to the hotel restaurant, light “cash and carry” items for breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase in the hotel lobby. Festival rates of $102 per night plus tax are valid from August 24 to September 5, based on availability. Make reservations by calling 1-800-Hiltons or online at

North American Festival of Wales 2007

Hilton Alexandria --Washington, D.C.

Please use the festival booking code WNGGA or North American Festival of Wales. We encourage you to book early to ensure this special rate.

Some of us are traveling from Cardiff International Airport by Zoom Airlines directly non-stop to Toronto, and then on to Washington, DC by Northwest Air, US Air or American Airlines. So far, Zoom Airlines has the best prices we could find -- For Zoom Airlines, see:

ZOOM AIRLINES

[This event is a fantastic opportunity to brush up on your Welsh language skills, if you are an indomitable and ever optimistic Welsh Learner, like myself.]

Hwyl fawr i bawb!

Mark L. Woods
Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries, University of Glamorgan,
Treforest, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF37 1DL Wales UK,

[Wales]
[Welsh]
[Celtic]
[Cymru]

McCrory's Stellar Trajectory: Welsh BAFTA to Oscar

Helen McCrory's Stellar Trajectory from Welsh BAFTA to Oscar-winning film:

The multi award-winning actress Helen McCrory has just finished working with Stephen Frears in his forthcoming satire 'The Queen' with Michael Sheen and Helen Mirren, playing Cherie Blair.

On the small screen Helen's first television film, Karl Francis' 'Street life' with Rhys Ifans, won her the Welsh BAFTA, Monte Carlo Best Actress Award and the Royal Television society Best Actress Award, for her extraordinary performance as Jo. The Edinburgh Film Festival wrote 'Simply the best performance this year'.

She went on to win 'Critics Circle Best Actress Award' for her role as the Barrister Rose in the Channel 4 series 'North Square', having been previously nominated for her performance in 'Fragile Heart' with Nigel Hawthorne the year before and has been nominated by the Royal Television Society for a variety of roles.

On screen, she's played the entire gamut of roles, from a sexually charged Anna Karenina in Channel 4's lavish adaptation, to a hard-faced, dyed-blonde single mother on a Welsh council estate in the TV film Streetlife (a role for which she won several awards, including a Welsh BAFTA), and a triumphantly hideous Margaret Peel in Lucky Jim, with Coke-bottle specs and tight curls flattened to her head.

Helen McCrory at IMDB

Helen McCrory at Angelfire

Karl Francis at Screen Online

Helen McCrory at the Telegraph

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

BAFTA CYMRU

or paste into your browser: http://www.bafta-cymru.org.uk/

'It's a Wrap' for Welsh Winners at Celtic Media Festival 2007

CELTIC MEDIA FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS 2007

First Time Director Award
The Unusual Inventions Of Henry Cavendish Ireland RESTORATION FILMS

Spirit of the Festival Award
Fear Na Noileán
(Man Of The Islands) Ireland LUGH FILMS

Jury Award Winner
Le Pain Dur
(Hard Bread) France VO PRODUCTIONS

Animation
Map Yr Underground
(Map Of The Underground) Wales GRIFFILMS LTD

Interactive
Tanni Yn Ymladd Tan
(Tanni Fights Fire) Wales GRIFFILMS LTD

Presenter Personality
Mary Ann Kennedy Scotland WATERCOLOUR MUSIC

Radio Documentary
Wales' Last Brigader Wales BBC RADIO WALES

Short Drama
The Unusual Inventions Of Henry Cavendish Ireland RESTORATION FILMS

Sport Profile
Haston - A Life In The Mountains Scotland PELICULA

Arts Documentary
Máirtín Ó Cadhain: Rí An Fhocail
(Mairtín Ó Cadhain: King Of Words) Ireland SÓNTA & MACDARA Ó CURRAIDHÍN FOR RTÉ

Station of the year
Radio Nan Gaidheal Scotland BBC

Website
Tribe Website Wales BBC CYMRU WALES

Young People
Púca Agus Péist / Cailleach
(Celtic Monsters / Witches) Ireland MIDAS PRODUCTIONS / CWMNI DA

Current Affairs
Prime Time Investigates: Sex Traffic Ireland RTE TELEVISION

Documentary Feature
Downhill Racer Scotland MACTV

Drama Series
Cowbois Ac Injans - Pennod 4
(Cowboys And Engines - Episode 4 ) Wales TELEDU OPUS

Entertainment
Y Piannydd Llyr Williams
(Llyr Williams - The Pianist) Wales OPUS TF

Factual Documentary
An American In Aberfan Wales BBC WALES

Feature Length Drama
True North Scotland MAKAR PRODUCTIONS LTD

Gŵyl y Cenhedloedd Bychain - Small Nations Festival

Come and join us at the Small Nations Festival - a celebration of the music of Wales and other small nations. Here you will find the best of Welsh and International music in all its wonderful variety, all packed into one week-end in the most idyllic setting. This is, and will remain, a small festival with a total capacity of 1500.

Glangwenlais Farm half mile from Cilycwm in the upper Towy Valley, Cilycwm, Wales Cost : Early Bird week-end ticket £40

Gŵyl y Cenhedloedd Bychain - Small Nations Festival - Gorffenaf 13 - 15 July 2007 or paste in your browser http://www.cilycwm.com/smallnations/home.htm

A celebration of the music of Wales and other small nations. Early Bird week-end ticket £40 Youth week-end ticket £35 Week-end ticket £50 Friday 16 Saturday all day £28 Saturday evening £16 Sunday £16 Cars £5 Campers £10 Caravans £15 Information Line: 01558 650127

Featured guests include the Bard of Ely 14 Jul 2007, 23:00

Bard of Ely

Also enjoy: Boys from the Hill -- Swanea favourites 'The Boys' are one of the most innovative bands to emerge from an increasingly confident Welsh traditional music scene. They have developed their own innovative brand of Welsh Urban Folk, combining many influences, musical, social and political to create new acoustic music relevant to their time and place.

Boys from the Hill

Dom Duff (Brittany) -- Pagan Pop/Folk Guitarist, singer, songwriter from Brittany, "when Dom sings his native langage, it sounds like an international one". Rock'nFolk Magazine.

Dom was raised in a farming district by the sea and says, "those little farms by the sea were my entire life, the language and local songs were in my ears everyday". He has plays in Breton bands for 15 years, being the driving force behind the famous fest-noz band 'Diwall', which toured Europe and far beyond. Dom is no stranger to Welsh audiences, and has even learnt some Welsh!

Dom Duff (Brittany)

Eleanor McEvoy (Ireland) -- A return visit for one of the best singer songwriters ever! Eleanor McEvoy achieved star status in Ireland in 1992 when her song "Only A Woman's Heart" inspired the title for and appeared on, the "A Woman's Heart" anthology album. It has since become the best selling album in Irish history, even eclipsing records by such legendary Irish artists as Van Morrison and U2. "A Woman's Heart" stayed in the Top 10 for over a year.

Eleanor McEvoy (Ireland)

Fraser Fifield (Scotland) The steadily growing overlap between the Scottish folk and jazz scenes has been a rich source of invention in recent years, but even in this context, multi-instrumentalist Fraser Fifield has emerged as one of today's outstanding talents. His mastery of the soprano saxophone, compositional gifts and fluency in both traditional and jazz idioms have prompted comparisons with Norwegian legend Jan Garbarek. Fifield,
though, is also a brilliant exponent of the low whistle and the Scottish smallpipes, and will be playing here with his regular band.

Fraser Fifield (Scotland)