It’s Not a Moment, It’s a Movement: Welsh Cinema Awakens

Wales was once a powerhouse of filmmaking—a place where passionate storytellers sent films out from these green hills to audiences far and wide. The 1980’s and 90’s felt golden. In 1987, there was excitement when two Welsh films— Rhosyn a Rhith (Coming Up Roses) and Milwr Bychan (Small Soldier)—lit up London’s West End. The buzz reached its peak in 1994, when Hedd Wyn, a Welsh-language film, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Even now, so many of us see that as the high point of Welsh cinema.

Lately, I’ve felt a sense of awakening in Welsh cinema. Gwledd (The Feast) wowed audiences in 2022 and gave us hope that Welsh film was coming back to life. We’ve had gems like Y Sŵn (The Noise) and Tannau’r Lloer (Fires of the Moon)—films many of us loved, though they didn’t always find bigger UK audiences. Even with Creative Wales, S4C and Ffilm Cymru in our corner, progress has sometimes stalled. But now, with the launch of Sinema Cymru, there’s fresh support for Welsh-language films and a real chance to reach people both at home and beyond. It feels like we’re on the cusp of something special.

Hedd Wyn (Paul Turner, 1992)

And now, here we are in June 2026, finally seeing these dreams take shape. Two Welsh films—Madfabulous by Celyn Jones (Set Fire to the Stars, The Almond and the Seahorse) and Effi o Blaenau (House of America, Mr Burton) by Marc Evans—are lighting up cinemas across the country. What’s even better, both are set in North Wales, at last giving a voice to regions outside Cardiff and the valleys. The two films couldn’t be more different, but both are bursting with creativity, determination, and a spark that feels uniquely Welsh—even on a tight budget. Jones and Evans have spent more than 25 years in the business, working all over the world, but their hearts have never left Wales. You can sense their pride and excitement in every frame.

Madfabulous hit UK screens on June 5th, and the crowds packed in—especially in Wales. I have to shout out Pontio Cinema in Bangor, which was the UK’s top-grossing venue for the opening week. The amazing Callum Scott Howells (It’s A Sin) brings Henry Cyril Paget, the 5th Marquis of Anglesey, to life with real flair. Audiences of all ages have turned out, many dressed to the nines for Pride Month. People sometimes ask me: Do Welsh audiences really want Welsh stories? After seeing these reactions, the answer is a resounding YES. As Celyn Jones has stated during the Madfabulous tour to audiences, “this is not a moment, it’s a movement”—and you can feel everyone in Wales rallying behind it.

Madfabulous (Celyn Jones, 2026)

Some might say a period piece is a safe choice for matinee audiences, but Madfabulous goes deeper, offering a more emotional experience. On June 19th, Effi o Blaenau will be released, the first Welsh-language film to have national distribution since Gwledd in 2022. After its premiere at the 2026 Glasgow Film Festival, where both the film and its lead, Leisa Gwenllian, received rave reviews, the story takes place in Blaenau Ffestiniog, a quarry town filled with some of the best people I have met. Marc Evans has created a film that feels real and honest, almost like a Mike Leigh or Ken Loach film, but in Welsh. Welsh cinema has missed out on telling real stories about its people, stories that honestly depict life and highlight places many may not know. Working-class stories matter; life can be tough, but there is always a way to shine a light.

Looking ahead, the future really does feel bright for Welsh cinema. Audiences have shown what is possible, and their excitement is contagious—it makes me want to keep pushing this movement forward. As someone who programmes films and writes when I can, I haven’t felt this passionate about Welsh film in years. There’s such a deep well of talent here, eager to tell home stories. It’s hard not to feel hopeful right now.

Effi O Blaenau (Marc Evans, 2026)

Coming soon is Gareth Bryn’s Lluest, a Welsh western starring Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Slow Horses, Mr Burton). Many more films are being developed through the Sinema Cymru scheme, with several about to start production. Celyn Jones and his company, Mad As Birds, are also getting ready to return to set and create more stories. With the strong, nurturing support of Film Hub Wales, the Made In Wales scheme aims to raise awareness and help venues promote more Welsh films. Audiences are just starting to see what’s ahead, and the creative energy in Wales is ready for this movement to grow. As my late friend and filmmaker Emyr Glyn Williams once said, “build it, and they will come.” He would have been thrilled to see this renaissance.

Ymlaen gyfellion ac i’r gad.