Latest news with #JackSargeant
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wales is 'powerhouse of young creative talent' with record film nominations
Young filmmakers are making their mark on the industry with a record number of nominations at this year's Into Film Awards. Wales has received seven nominations across 11 categories for the 2025 awards, the highest of any Celtic nation, with nominees from Cardiff, Conwy, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, and Swansea. The nominees will attend the ceremony in London's Leicester Square on June 24. Jack Sargeant, Welsh minister for culture, said: "Wales is showing itself to be a powerhouse of young creative talent, as can clearly be seen by the record-breaking number of Welsh nominees this year." The Into Film Awards celebrate the creativity of young people in film and are supported by the UK film industry. This year's nominations highlight the growing strength of Wales' film sector, following the recent success of productions like Netflix's Havoc and Mr Burton. The nominated films reflect a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Animated Voices, made by young people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Cardiff, explores their lives in the UK, while Mariupol tells the story of the war in Ukraine through the eyes of a displaced individual. Non Stevens, head of Into Film Cymru, said: "We're thrilled to see diverse young Welsh voices achieving record-breaking recognition at this year's Into Film Awards. "From Penygroes to Cardiff, from animation to documentary, these young creators are telling authentic stories with exceptional creativity and technical skill. "The record number of nominations this year not only reflects growing confidence and talent but also shows how film education can inspire the next generation of Welsh storytellers."
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Record number of Welsh nominees at Into Film Awards 2025
Wales has received seven nominations across 11 categories for the 2025 awards, the highest of any Celtic nation, with nominees from Cardiff, Conwy, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, and Swansea. The nominees will attend the ceremony in London's Leicester Square on June 24. Jack Sargeant, Welsh minister for culture, said: "Wales is showing itself to be a powerhouse of young creative talent, as can clearly be seen by the record-breaking number of Welsh nominees this year." The Into Film Awards celebrate the creativity of young people in film and are supported by the UK film industry. This year's nominations highlight the growing strength of Wales' film sector, following the recent success of productions like Netflix's Havoc and Mr Burton. The nominated films reflect a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Animated Voices, made by young people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Cardiff, explores their lives in the UK, while Mariupol tells the story of the war in Ukraine through the eyes of a displaced individual. Non Stevens, head of Into Film Cymru, said: "We're thrilled to see diverse young Welsh voices achieving record-breaking recognition at this year's Into Film Awards. "From Penygroes to Cardiff, from animation to documentary, these young creators are telling authentic stories with exceptional creativity and technical skill. "The record number of nominations this year not only reflects growing confidence and talent but also shows how film education can inspire the next generation of Welsh storytellers."
Business News Wales
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Wales Leads UK Nations in Into Film Awards Nominations
Wales has received a record-breaking seven nominations for this year's Into Film Awards – the highest number of nominations of any Celtic nation across the UK. Nominees from Cardiff, Conwy, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, and Swansea will now attend a red-carpet event at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London on Tuesday 24 June, hosted by actor, presenter and author, Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE. Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant, said: 'Wales is showing itself to be a powerhouse of young creative talent, as can clearly be seen by the record-breaking number of Welsh nominees this year. 'Creative Wales is committed to building on the momentum of productions like Havoc or Mr Burton to secure a bright future for Welsh filmmaking, developing sustainable pathways from school projects to international productions. The exceptional stories these young people are telling today represent the next generation of talent who will continue to build Wales' growing influence in global creative industries. Pob lwc bawb.' This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Wales' film industry, following the recent success of Havoc (the Netflix action thriller starring Tom Hardy and the largest feature film ever shot entirely within Wales) and Mr Burton, produced with financial support from BBC Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales, in partnership with Creative Wales. Animated Voices, created by young people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Cardiff, explores their personal experiences of life in the UK, while Mariupol offers a powerful perspective on the war in Ukraine through the eyes of a displaced individual. Non Stevens, Head of Into Film Cymru, who wants to work more with Creative Wales to support a thriving film ecosystem extended from major international productions to nurturing young grassroots talent, said: 'We're thrilled to see diverse young Welsh voices achieving record-breaking recognition at this year's Into Film Awards. These nominations represent communities across Wales and tell stories that reflect the rich cultural tapestry of our nation. At Into Film Cymru, we believe in creating opportunities for all young people, regardless of background, and these nominations demonstrate the power of inclusive filmmaking. 'From Penygroes to Cardiff, from animation to documentary, these young creators are telling authentic stories with exceptional creativity and technical skill. The record number of nominations this year not only reflects growing confidence and talent but also shows how film education can inspire the next generation of Welsh storytellers who will build on our current industry success.' Best Animation – 5 to 11 years – (Sponsored by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, UK) Cae yr Arth (Cae the Bear) – Made by a class of 30 young people aged 9-10 from Caedraw Primary School, Merthyr Tydfil Best Animation – 12 to 19 years – (Sponsored by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, UK) Animated Voices – Made by 10 young people aged 13-14 from Cardiff, working with Gritty Realism Productions, Diverse Cymru and EYST. Best Documentary – (Sponsored by IMDb) Mariupol – Made by Daria Savchenko, aged 18, from Gower College – Swansea Time for Action- (Sponsored by Swatch) Tipping Point – Made by Araminta, aged 16 – Conwy Best Film – 5 to 11 years – (Sponsored by Working Title Films) Ynyr yr Ysbryd (Ynyr the Ghost) – Made by Briall (aged 10), Celt (10), Elai (9) and Fflur (10), from Clwb Ffilm Dyffryn Nantlle – Penygroes, Gwynedd Best Film – 16 to 19 years – (Sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery) Beware the Zoomies – Made by Araminta, Cole, Micah, and Ethan – Conwy Filmmaking Champion – (Sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd.) Steve Swindon from TAPE Community Music and Film – Llandudno Working with 16- to 19-year-olds with a wide range of additional needs, Steve strives to be a creative advocate. He has supported pupils to set up their own production company, Hope Productions, with their film Battery – a perfect example of Steve's work in action (nominated for Best Film – 16-19 at the Into Film Awards 2024). The Awards, sponsored by the UK film industry celebrate young people's creativity in film, showcasing and highlighting the wealth of tomorrow's creative talent. Other categories include Best Film – 12 to 15 years (Sponsored by Paramount Pictures); Best Story (Sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios); the Audience Choice Award (Sponsored by Universal Pictures International); and Ones to Watch – (Sponsored by EON Productions). This year's Awards received an unprecedented number of film entries from every corner of the UK, with compelling and timely stories for young people including mental health, the war in Ukraine, gender identity, neurodivergence, multiculturism, the potential harms of AI, feeling disconnected and isolated in modern society, nature conservation, immigration and identity, looking after an unwell parent, the need to stop scrolling on social media, and much more.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Now Labour axe the word 'us' for being too 'exclusionary' in devolved Wales
The devolved Labour administration in Wales has axed the word 'us' from the national culture policy for being too 'exclusionary'. Welsh Labour has put together a set of principles to guide future culture sector policy - one being the idea that 'culture brings us together'. However, one of the many groups who attended the consultation for the plans told the government they should 'consider how the use of the word 'us' in this statement could seem exclusionary'. The group told them the should use the word 'everyone' instead. It's unclear which group had a problem with the phrasing but their influence saw ministers replace the word 'us' with 'people' in the final published policy strategy. The final version of the policy was published this week and outlines how the culture sector in Wales will be managed from now until 2030. Its first priority, under the revised heading 'culture brings people together', states the sector must 'promote a modern and diverse Wales, reflecting the variety of people and cultures who call Wales their home'. It is a goal which is reflected in the foreword written by the minister for culture, skills and social partnership Jack Sargeant. He wrote: 'By working together to realise these shared ambitions, we can provide a platform from which our culture sector can thrive, innovate, and reflect the true diversity of our nation.' Some of the new principles lay out what the Welsh Labour government has dictated to be a suitable approach to national history. It previously set out its expectations for cultural institutions to promote the 'right historic narrative' in an anti-racist action plan. The plan said: 'Culture should take an inclusive, thoughtful and balanced approach to interpreting, commemorating and presenting our past, to how we consider and respond to contemporary issues, and to how we look to the future.' It also said historic sites, collections in museums and galleries should 'be relevant to a diverse and contemporary Wales', adding there is 'tension between respecting the history and lived experiences of the majority population and supporting their understanding of minority cultures'. Another priority was making the cultural sector more environmentally friendly, with the document warning heritage assets are at risk due to hotter summers, rising sea levels and an increasing number of pests. Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, blasted the plans, saying: 'This is the latest ludicrous proposal to come forward from Labour Senedd ministers. 'Together with Plaid Cymru separatists, they've ruined the culture sector in Wales by pushing a radical, divisive ideology that has resulted in millions being spent implementing their anti-racist Wales action plan while funding for the world-renowned Welsh National Opera was cut. 'Labour and Plaid are completely out of touch.' It comes after taxpayers were left reeling this week when the Welsh Labour government spent £250,000 on a project to count moths - while it continues to cut public services. The 'Cryptic Creatures of the Creuddyn' project is surveying the moths' limestone habitats on Llandudno's Great Orme headland and in neighbouring areas. It was handed a grant of £248,348 by the Government's Nature Networks Fund, and will be delivered by the Heritage Fund. The under-fire government claims it with help protect at-risk insects, including the Horehound Plume micro-moth. A Tory councillor branded the spending 'ridiculous' - as families struggle with the cost of living and local authorities cut frontline services. Llandudno's Louise Emery hit out after a grant was awarded by the Welsh Government to Conwy county council. She said: 'Rather than for the benefit of invertebrates, how about Welsh Government benefit schools and communities by properly funding local authorities to improve education and provide basic services such as maintaining highways and public toilets? 'It's about priorities, and establishing the number of moths on specific limestone headlands should not be a priority when Welsh Labour in Cardiff continue to tell local authorities they have no money. This is utterly ridiculous.'
Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Saying ‘us' is exclusionary, says Welsh Labour
Welsh Labour has dropped the word 'us' from the national culture policy because it could be 'exclusionary'. The devolved Labour administration devised a series of principles to steer future culture sector policy, including the idea that 'culture brings us together'. However, in a consultation for the plans, the government was told to 'consider how the use of the word 'us' in this statement could seem exclusionary' and urged to use terms such as 'everyone' instead. Ministers subsequently replaced the word 'us' with 'people' in its final published policy strategy. It is not clear which group among the hundreds of consultees took issue, or why. The final version of priorities for culture policy, published this week, outlines how the culture sector in Wales will be managed up to 2030. The first priority in the document, under the new heading 'culture brings people together', states that the sector must 'promote a modern and diverse Wales, reflecting the variety of people and cultures who call Wales their home'. This goal is reflected in the foreword written by Jack Sargeant, the Welsh Labour minister for culture, skills and social partnership. 'True diversity' He wrote: 'By working together to realise these shared ambitions, we can provide a platform from which our culture sector can thrive, innovate, and reflect the true diversity of our nation.' Some of the newly stated principles related to what the government has dictated to be a suitable approach to national history. The Welsh government previously set out its broad approach to history in an anti-racist action plan, which insisted that cultural institutions are expected to promote the 'right historic narrative'. The document states: 'Culture should take an inclusive, thoughtful and balanced approach to interpreting, commemorating and presenting our past, to how we consider and respond to contemporary issues, and to how we look to the future.' Historic sites, and collections in museums and galleries should also 'be relevant to a diverse and contemporary Wales'. It added that there was 'tension between respecting the history and lived experiences of the majority population and supporting their understanding of minority cultures.' Another priority was making the cultural sector more environmentally friendly. The document warns that hotter summers, rising sea levels and an increasing number of pests put heritage assets at risk.
