Film Agency News
10 th August 2012
Schoolchildren quiz Welsh stars at National Eisteddfod
Children from schools across Wales enjoyed a rare chance to quiz some of the country’s leading film industry figures in an event organised by the education charity FILMCLUB Cymru, supported by its main partner the Film Agency for Wales. Actors Matthew Rhys and Nia Roberts, and director Marc Evans, were among those taking part in a Q&A session at the National Eisteddfod, Llandow, on Thursday, 9th August. Comedian and writer Daniel Glyn chaired the session – arranged by the charity as part of its unique Industry Interaction programme, which enables young people from all backgrounds and areas of the UK to communicate directly with creative professionals through in-school visits, special events and live webcasts.
Access to creative professionals while still at school was highlighted in the Government’s recent Cultural Education Review as being highly beneficial to young people in terms of raising aspirations, expanding horizons and providing useful information about future career opportunities. Actor and FILMCLUB’s Welsh Ambassador, Michael Sheen, writer and FILMCLUB champion Owen Sheers, and Submarine producer Kate Crowther are some of the famous names who have already shared the secrets of their success with Welsh FILMCLUB members.
The Eistedfodd event – in Welsh – will compliment the Welsh film season on the website www.filmclub.org/cymru, to which the charity hopes, later this year, to add five new Welsh medium films. The event follows the launch, in June, of the Children’s Cultural Poverty Forum – an initiative, spear-headed by FILMCLUB - to bring a broad range of cultural experiences and new learning opportunities to the 200,000 young people in Wales currently living in poverty.
Highlighting the value of culture, and film, for young people Michael Sheen said:
“The idea that culture is simply an add-on is ridiculous. Access to culture not only enables young people to engage in their culture artistically and creatively but also gives them opportunities to develop life skills. Films are a good way of reaching children who do not easily engage with children in other forms.”
For information about FILMCLUB or to sign up for a free start-up session visit filmclub.org/blog/cymru or call 020 7288 4520.
