Cardiff Filmmakers in London | Rising Diverse Talent

Welsh Young Filmmakers Score Record Nominations at Into Film Awards 2025

Wales is experiencing a surge in recognition for its burgeoning film industry, underscored by a record-breaking seven nominations at teh 2025 Into Film Awards. Leading the charge is “Animated Voices,” a poignant animated short created by ten young filmmakers aged 13-14 from Cardiff, which has received a nomination in the Best Animation (12-19 years) category.

Spotlight on “Animated Voices”: This film showcases the talent of young Welsh animators and their ability to tell compelling stories through animation. It’s a testament to the power of youth voices in filmmaking.

The success of “Animated Voices” – a project born from a collaboration between Gritty Realism productions, Diverse Cymru, and EYST (the Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team) – highlights the power of inclusive filmmaking and the wealth of creative talent within Wales. The film offers an authentic exploration of the personal experiences of young people from diverse ethnic minority backgrounds, including Nigerian, Pakistani, Egyptian, and Bangladeshi communities, navigating life in the UK.

Did You Know? EYST (Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team) plays a crucial role in empowering young people from diverse backgrounds in Wales, providing opportunities for creative expression and skill growth.

“Me and my brother really liked the animation sessions and we would like to explore more about animation,” shared aafaq and Haseeb imran, two of the thirteen-year-old filmmakers behind the project. The filmmaking process itself was a complete learning experience, encompassing workshops on character design, voicing, lip-syncing, and cut-out animation techniques, guided by established creative professionals like graphic artist Derek Mawudoku, actor bethan James, scriptwriter Mitra Sanei, and animator Gerald Conn.

The young filmmakers will attend a star-studded, red-carpet event at the odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on Tuesday, June 24th, alongside nominees from across the UK, including fellow Welsh projects from Merthyr Tydfil, Conwy, Gwynedd, and Swansea. The ceremony will be hosted by actor, presenter, and author Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE.

Mark Your Calendar: The Into Film Awards ceremony on June 24th promises to be a celebration of young filmmaking talent from across the UK.

This wave of nominations arrives at a pivotal moment for Welsh cinema, following the success of recent productions like Havoc, a Netflix action thriller filmed entirely within Wales, and Mr Burton, supported by BBC Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales. According to Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant, “Wales is showing itself to be a powerhouse of young creative talent.” He further emphasized the Welsh government’s commitment to fostering a sustainable future for filmmaking in Wales, building pathways from school projects to international productions.

Welsh Cinema on the Rise: The success of films like Havoc and Mr Burton demonstrates the growing strength and potential of the Welsh film industry.

The diversity of the Welsh nominees is particularly noteworthy, representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds and experiences from both urban and rural communities. Alongside “animated Voices,” other nominated films tackle critically important themes, with Mariupol offering a powerful perspective on the war in Ukraine.

Non Stevens,Head of Into Film Cymru,expressed excitement about the record-breaking recognition,stating,”we’re thrilled to see diverse young Welsh voices achieving record-breaking recognition at this year’s Into Film Awards.” Stevens underscored the importance of continued collaboration with Creative Wales to nurture both major international productions and emerging grassroots talent.

The Into Film Awards received an unprecedented number of submissions this year, addressing a wide range of contemporary issues including mental health, the war in Ukraine, gender identity, neurodivergence, and the impact of social media. the awards, sponsored by the UK film industry, celebrate young people’s creativity and highlight the potential of the next generation of storytellers. Past attendees of the ceremony have included prominent figures such as Luke Evans, Rhys Ifans, Daniel Craig, and Gemma Arterton.

Award Category Highlights:

• Best Animation – 5 to 11 years: Cae yr arth (Cae the bear) – Merthyr Tydfil
• Best Animation – 12 to 19 years: Animated Voices – Cardiff
• Best Documentary: Mariupol – Swansea
• Time for Action: Tipping Point – Conwy
• Best Film – 5 to 11 years: Ynyr the Spirit (Ynyr The Ghost) – Penygroes,Gwynedd
• Best Film – 16 to 19 years: Beware the Zoomies – Conwy
• Filmmaking Champion: Steve Swindon – Llandudno

For more information about Into Film,visit https://www.intofilm.org.

The Importance of Youth Voices in Filmmaking

The record-breaking nominations at the 2025 Into Film Awards highlight not only the burgeoning film scene in Wales, but also the vital role of young people in storytelling. As projects like “Animated Voices” from Cardiff demonstrate, the ability of youth to create compelling content resonates with audiences and offers unique perspectives.This section delves deeper into the reasons why youth voices are so crucial in today’s cinematic landscape.

One of the primary reasons lies in the authenticity that young filmmakers bring to their projects. They offer fresh narratives unburdened by the conventions often embraced by older storytellers, allowing for a more genuine and relatable cinematic experience. young filmmakers also illuminate issues that directly affect their generation, such as mental health, online culture, and identity. This ensures a more relevant and reflective storytelling.