2024 Film Festival Submissions Open Now!

Film screenings, industry panels and networking events

The FOCUS Wales Film Festival returns on Friday 5th May and Saturday 6th May 2023, inside Theatr Ial at Coleg Cambria, Wrexham City Centre. The festival is proudly supported by Ffilm Cymru & 73 Degree Films.

Join us for a showcase of the best short films from Wales and around the world + a selection of feature films, industry events and networking opportunities.

SUBMIT YOUR FILM HERE

Check out our first delegates for 2023 below:
[film_delegates /]

BUY PASSES

Film Festival Delegate Pass

£60 –

Film festival accreditation and badge.
Access to all FOCUS Wales Film Festival screenings and events.
Access to opening networking event.
Access to ‘Meet the Funders’ panel.
Access to Llwyn Isaf Music Headline Concert on Friday/Saturday (subject to capacity).
Access to crossover Film and Music Sync panel on Friday at FW Music Conference (Ty Pawb).
Access to the online delegate database and a professional profile on the FOCUS Wales website and mobile app.

BUY PASSES

Film Festival Pass

£20 –

Access all FOCUS Wales Film Festival screenings, including feature films and short films across Friday and Saturday.
Access to our ‘Meet the Programmers’ and ‘Meet the Digital Commissioners’ panel.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2022 Winners +

Narrative Film

Wales: Bald by Luke Bather.
International: Backseat Driver by Jake Balfour-Lynn.

Documentary Film

Wales: Rhyl From Bygone Era by Ffion Pritchard.
International: Dajla by Arturo Dueñas Herrero.

Animation Film

Wales: Allowed by Zillah Bowes.
International: The Author by Luiz Máximo.

Music Video

Wales: My Brothers & Me (FUTURE KULT) by Mac Nixon
International: Judas on the Dancefloor (The Zangwills) by Lowri Roberts.

Special Awards

Best Original Score: Tymhorau by Dan Soley.
Celtic Film Award: The House of Jollof Opera by Sita Thomas.

2021 Winners +

Narrative Film

Wales: Hard as Nails by Tomos James.
International: Segregatio by Jowy Santiago.

Documentary Film

Wales: The Beekeeper by William McGregor.
International: New Ways by Jonas Hegi.

Animation Film

Wales: Creepy Pasta Salad by Lauren Orme.
International: The Boy and the Mountain by Santiago Aguilera & Gabriel Monreal.

Music Video

Wales: Sorcerer by Tom Hughes.
International: Focal (Parallax) by Peter Renzullo.

Special Awards

Best Original Score: Dig Ophelia Dig by Kyran Davies.
Celtic Film Award: Cwch Deilen by Efa Blosse-mason.

2019 Winners +

Wales: Seven Sharp by Roque Cameselle Capón.
International: Stari Grad by Jack Beck.

2024 Timetable

Friday 10th may

05:00 pm - 06:00 pm

THEATR IAL

CREATIVE WALES PRESENTS: FILM FESTIVAL OPENING PARTY

Join us for free drinks, red carpet photography and networking as the 2024 Film Festival officially opens.

06:00 pm - 06:30 pm

THEATR IAL

MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION

Our music video competition features some of the best new work from musicians and filmmakers in Wales around the world.

GRIEF by Connor Allen, Sing Amewudah-Rivers, REDBRCK
Paper by AL Lacey - Sorrell Chrystal Kerrison
Borderlines by Julius Eastwood - Julia Pentz
Forget Me Not Blue by MACY - Will Langley
Bad Apple by Sailor Honeymoon - 태영 Taeyoung 김 Kim
Drama Queen by Tara Bandito - Tara Bethan
DVTR - Jean-Vital Joliat
I'm Cute by Kima Otung - Kima Otung
Byth Bythol by MELLT - JAG Hodges
Dancing Round The Morning Sun by Otto Aday - Myles Docherty

07:00 pm - 09:00 pm

THEATR IAL

HEADLINE FEATURE FILM: ‘THE ALMOND AND THE SEAHORSE’ + Q&A

Starring director Celyn Jones, alongside Rebel Wilson and Charlotte Gainsbourg. The new feature film, partly shot in Wrexham, tells “a poignant story of two couples exploring the impact of a traumatic brain injury on their lives.

Followed by a Q&A with Director and Star, Celyn Jones.

Saturday 11th May

11:00 am - 12:00 am

THEATR IAL

FILM COMPETITION: NARRATIVE SHORT FILMS 1

Section 1 of our Welsh and international short film competition. For the first time this year, all selected films will be eligible for a BAFTA Cymru nomination.

Tomorrow by Thomas Elliott Griffiths
One Night Only Josh Harris
Cariad Brawdol by Rhys Pritchard
Collaboration by Martin Cannon

12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

THEATR IAL

BFI Film Academy presents ‘Meet the Producers’

A panel to discuss the opportunities, challenges and resources for new/emerging producers today, especially those working on funded shorts and early features.

Featuring:

Danielle Fahiya
Griff Lynch
Red Wade
Tom Gripper

01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

THEATR IAL

MEET THE FILMMAKERS LUNCH

Join us for some free food, drinks and networking. This is an opportunity for attendees across the festival to meet the filmmakers at this year’s festival.

* Food and drinks subject to availability.

02:00 pm - 02:40 pm

THEATR IAL

In Conversation with: Emmy Winning Cinematographer Leighton Cox

Join us for the second panel of the day with Leighton Cox, a Wrexham-based cinematographer working on top shows for Disney+, Netflix and more.

02:45 pm - 03:45 pm

THEATR IAL

FILM COMPETITION: DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS

Part of our BAFTA-recognised Welsh and international short film competition.

Rusted Earths by Moza Al Mazrouei
Y WERIN / HIRAETH by Ella Spottiswood & Adam Evans
A Cross to Bear by Joseff Morgan
PERTHYN / BELONGING by Gavin Porter

03:45 pm - 04:15 pm

THEATR IAL

FILM COMPETITION: ANIMATION SHORT FILMS

Part of our BAFTA-recognised Welsh and international short film competition.

Slowly Walking by Sara Schiavone
A brief word about KEYWORDS by Philip Seargeant
Woodbuds by Sam Griffiths
The Robin and the Wren by Léa Sautin

04:15 pm - 05:15 pm

THEATR IAL

FILM COMPETITION: NARRATIVE SHORT FILMS 2

Part of our BAFTA-recognised Welsh and international short film competition.

Dim Ond Ti a Mi By Griff Lynch
Control Room by JAG Hodges
Back to the Original Place by Joseph Bubb
Heartrender: Bane of the Elf Queen by Ben Schwartz & Zach Lo
11:11 Gavin Pettifor & Jonathan Finlay

05:30 pm - 06:30 pm

THEATR IAL

CREATIVE WALES PRESENTS: AWARDS CEREMONY & CLOSING PARTY

The closing of the 2024 ceremony. Join us as we hand out awards, hear from winning filmmakers and the head of our jury, then enjoy some free drinks and a DJ.