Celebration of north Wales creative industries

Creative Wales was launched in January with the aim of positioning Wales as the place for creative businesses to thrive.

During a BAFTA Cymru and Creative Wales event, the film Nuclear - which was shot on location in north Wales - will be screened. BAFTA winning actor, writer and producer, Celyn Jones will host a Q&A with cast members Sienna Guillory (Resident Evil, Love Actually) and Emilia Jones (Locke and Key, Horrible Histories the Movie – Rotten Romans).  Celyn, from Holyhead, will next be seen starring alongside Judi Dench and Eddie Izzard in Mad as Birds Production’s Six Minutes to Midnight, which is released in May. The Q&A will also involve writer-director Catherine Linstrum and co-writer David-John Newman.

In launching Creative Wales last month, the Deputy Minister, said: “We have always been a nation of storytellers. Our creative minds have been honed by the sharing of tales across generations – in words, images and song. Today, the technology may have changed but the purpose is the same: to harness our creative skills to engage with people, share ideas, entertain and inform.

“My vision for Creative Wales is for an organisation that will take the existing successes in the screen industry and build on these to drive growth across the whole creative sector; developing a skills base that is world class, expanding support beyond film and tv and positioning Wales as the place to locate a creative business.”

Attending the event in Galeri, Director of Creative Wales, Gerwyn Evans, said; “In addition to launching Creative Wales to our north Wales partners, this is also a celebration of the wealth and diversity of the north Wales creative industries scene.  We look forward to working and engaging with sector in north Wales more than ever before, to secure a successful future for our creative industries in the region.”

The main priorities for the Creative Wales are to:

• Drive growth of the Creative Industries sector in Wales with a more targeted regional and sub-sector focus,;
• Develop the right skills across the sector to support continued growth, recognising that this cannot be done in isolation and will require closer working with industry and trade union partners;
• Raise standards and promote diversity and equality. This will include developing commitments from all partners with regards to inclusion, fair pay and exemplary working practices.
• Simplify funding support for the creative industry and ensure that we are able to respond to the fast pace of the sector. All funding will be delivered through an economic contract.
• Take a lead role in the marketing and promotion of the creative industries in Wales to the world, via a new Creative Wales brand

To support the industry, Creative Wales will have two funding streams for capital and revenue funding, which will respond quickly and flexibly to sector needs, which will be more than £7m in 2020-21.

In addition to supporting the film and TV sector in Wales, Creative Wales will also focus on the Music industry; Digital and Gaming and the Publishing sector.

Garffild Lewis of Creative North Wales, said: “As Chair of Creative North Wales, I fully support the launch of Creative Wales and welcome its commitment to the industry in North Wales. The Creative Sector here is dynamic and successful but we need to strengthen and promote the potential of the Sector in the region, both in terms of securing investment and development opportunities. We also need to respond to the industry's needs in training and skills development. We look forward to working closely with Creative Wales to address these issues and ensure a bright and successful for the industry here in North Wales."

Hannah Raybould, Director of BAFTA Cymru added “We have been supporting those working and aspiring to work in film, games and TV in North Wales by hosting regular events for our growing membership and the wider public and it has been really valuable to join forces with Creative Wales to show how government, BAFTA (as the foremost creative media charity in Wales) and other support organisations can work together in the future. We look forward to more events celebrating the work being created across Wales.”

Gareth Williams, Rondo Media, said: “The creative industries are a key part of Wales’ growth and success - both here in the United Kingdom and internationally.  We are extremely pleased to welcome Creative Wales and the opportunities that this new development will bring to build on the sector's success in supporting a wide range of creative projects – in attracting significant projects and productions to Wales in tandem with the promotion and support of the very valuable businesses rooted in Wales.”

The creative industries represent one of Wales’ fastest-growing sectors, with an annual turnover of more than £1.9billion, and employing over 56,000 people – 52% more than 10 years ago.

Recruitment for a Board Chair and members is now live with further details on www.creative.wales