#MADE-IN-WALES
Celebrating the heart of Welsh creativity, #MADE-IN-WALES showcases emerging voices from Wales’ vibrant film scene. This section features in-depth interviews, profiles, and stories from the next generation of filmmakers shaping the country’s cinematic future. From bold short films and innovative documentaries to fresh takes on storytelling rooted in Welsh culture and identity — we spotlight the talent, passion, and vision that make Wales a growing force in global cinema.
Interview with Freddie Gollins — Writer and Director of Bleaching
In his moving short film Bleaching, Welsh filmmaker Freddie turns his lens toward one of life’s most delicate relationships — that between a father and son. The story, intimate yet quietly expansive, explores how people cope when their personal worlds begin to shift around them. “The film isn’t about the changing world,” Freddie says, “but rather their changing worlds....
Jake Thompson on Nostalgia, Darkness, and the Art of Puppetry
For filmmaker Jake Thompson, storytelling is a blend of darkness, melancholy, and childhood wonder — the kind of emotional cocktail that lingers long after the credits roll. His latest short, born from a shared love of the cult series Inside No. 9, channels both the eerie humor of that show and the aching nostalgia of growing up in rural Wales....
Nico Dafydd on Language, Landscape, and the Flight of the Shearwater
For filmmaker Nico Dafydd, storytelling begins with the land — and the language — that shapes it. His latest short, co-directed with Lleucu Non, draws from the rhythms of rural Pembrokeshire and the unseen emotional currents of family life. “It’s quite a personal story for a few reasons,” Nico says. “Living in Pembrokeshire we’re acutely aware of the weather, the seasons, the differences between rural and city life. I wanted to reflect this...
Niamh Wynne on Youth, Identity, and the Paradox of “Welshness”
For Welsh filmmaker Niamh Wynne, cinema is both a mirror and a bridge — a way to reflect the overlooked and connect it to the world. Her latest documentary explores a story that begins in the unlikely meeting point of two cultures: Wales and Patagonia. But beneath the surface of geography and history lies something much more intimate — a meditation on friendship, youth, and identity....
Django Pinter on “Knackered,” Authentic Welsh Voices, and the Comedy of Deadstock
When filmmaker Django Pinter first learned what a “knackerman” was, he immediately saw cinematic potential — and a punchline. “As Glyn’s dad put it, ‘if you have livestock, you’ll have deadstock,’” Django recalls. “Which means every now and then hauling a sheep carcass into a plastic deadbox and calling someone to take it to the knacker’s yard. I thought it would make a very silly way of hiding a dead body in a crime-comedy film....
Eiry Shi on Family, Courage, and Representing Welsh Talent on the Global Stage
For rising Welsh actor and performer Eiry Shi, creativity runs in the family. “My mum was born in Cefn-y-Bedd and was a professional dancer working in the industry,” Eiry shares. “She was recognised as a successful Welsh artist from a young age, so she always encouraged me and my sister to perform.” Her father is also an actor and musician — meaning that, in the Shi household, there was never a quiet moment. “We’re always acting, singing, dancing, or playing instruments,” she laughs. “In lockdown, we even started a family band called Fam Jam....