Cymru Creations have been running community beneficial projects in Tredegar Blaenau since 2016. Their award-winning Blaenau Gwent Film Academy opened in February 2018 and now attracts over a 150 young people aged 7-18 each week, teaching them film and media skills. The company also run the highly successful Children’s International Film Festival of Wales.
Technology is a rapidly changing world and to keep ahead of the game Cymru Creations received grants via the Business Development & Social Enterprise Schemes, to purchase new equipment including high quality filmmaking cameras, lenses, memory cards and other filmmaking accessories.
Kevin Phillips, Chief Executive Officer at Cymru Creations said, ‘The grant from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council has helped us to purchase equipment that will enhance our capabilities as a film production training organisation. It will enable our Film Academy students improve their skills and improve job prospects while creating high quality productions, that can then be pitched to Netflix and other streaming and broadcasters.’
‘We are currently working on a multi-season post-apocalyptic show, that has been written by one of our Film and Media apprentices and is being worked on by all students at the Film Academy. This has opened new opportunities and markets for the Blaenau Gwent Film Academy that would have been inaccessible with our current equipment. Most importantly it has created more opportunities for the young people of Blaenau Gwent than ever.’
Councillor John Morgan, Cabinet Member - Place & Regeneration and Economic Development said, ‘Cymru Creations are an award winning, local company who provide training and creativity in our community. It is good to hear how our grant will improve opportunities for younger generations and keep them at the cutting edge of creativity in Wales.’
Both grants are funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and managed by the Business & Innovation Team at Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. The Business Development Grant aims to support the growth and development of new and existing businesses in Blaenau Gwent.
Kevin Phillips (Cymru Creations), Cllr John Morgan
