Five creative producers to cultivate their careers in Y Labordy
Led by S4C, Arts Council of Wales, Ffilm Cymru Wales and BFI NETWORK Wales, Y Labordy is a professional development programme for emerging film, television and theatre producers that have the ability to work in the Welsh language.
Five producers have now been selected to develop their careers in film over a six-month online programme of mentorship and masterclasses. Through Y Labordy, they will explore the creative, business and leadership skills of producing, and establish how to evolve their careers. The multidisciplinary training programme includes individual support from a creative industry mentor, as well as group masterclasses led by guest speakers.
The five Y Labordy producer participants are:
Elin Gwyn
Elin is a writer and producer who lives in Rhosgadfan with her dog Macsen. She is a assistant producer for Cwmni Da, working across Deian a Loli, Stad and Persona, a new drama series for young people that she also wrote and will be broadcast on S4C. Last year she wrote a micro-drama as a co-production between Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and BBC Wales Living.
Branwen Jones
Originally from north Wales, Branwen is a producer at Wales Millennium Centre, where she develops new work with an emphasis on music and Welsh language. Her previous work in the arts and cultural sector includes theatre, opera, short film and mass participation events. Branwen is interested in the intersection of live performance and film media, and exploring new technologies to tell stories.
Gloria Thomas
Gloria Thomas is an experienced freelance television director and producer who has directed over 70 episodes of drama, including Doctors and Pobol y Cwm, and produced The Real Prime Suspect and Balamory, multimedia promotions at S4C and BBC Wales, and scriptwriting on several animation series. A graduate of the BBC Doctors Directing Course, Gloria also trained in multi-camera directing at the National Film and Television School.
Rolant Tomos
Rolant started his career directing with Ffilmiau’r Nant on Pengelli and Talcen Caled. He directed the first episodes of Tipyn o Stad and wrote and directed episodes of Jara before moving into development with production company Calon. A business consultant and micro-brewer, Rolant recently returned to creative work with two feature film scripts.
Steffan Wilson-Jones
Steffan is a producer and theatre writer from the Vale of Clwyd. He is excited to develop his career together with creative people from Wales through the medium of Welsh with the support and guidance of experienced industry professionals.
BFI NETWORK Wales Development Executive Gwenfair Hawkins says: “The exceptional standard of applications we received is proof of the producing talent and aspiration we have in Wales. With the five members of the cohort, we are looking forward to building confidence and ability in producing across art forms.”
Industry speakers secured for the programme include Céline Haddad, Project Manager at Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland; Kate Crowther, Executive Producer at Bad Wolf; Sharon Clark, Playwright & Creative Director at Raucous; Emma Hughes, Curator and Consultant at Limina Immersive, Kate Byers & Linn Waite of Early Day Films (Bait), Marc Rees & Isabel Griffin (Nawr Yr Arwr/Now The Hero) and We Are Anagram (Goliath).
Lisa Matthews-Jones, Portfolio Manager, Arts Council of Wales says: “It’s tremendously exciting to be supporting these producers to explore, challenge and cross-pollenate what it means to enable the making of creative work across platforms, places, languages and audiences in 2022. As well as supporting their own producing practices, we look forward to seeing the longer-term impact Y Labordy has, particularly on Welsh language rooted work.”
Gwenllian Gravelle, Drama Commissioner S4C: “I’m delighted to see such a strong cohort of producers starting their Y Labordy journey. S4C is a strong believer in supporting new talent. We’re looking forward to seeing how the five grow and develop, and to the Welsh projects they develop as a result of the scheme!”