Ffolio round three open now

The third round of Ffolio, a platform for creative talent in Wales that is part of BBC Introducing Arts, is now open for applications.

This exciting partnership between BBC Arts, Ffilm Cymru, BBC Cymru Wales, and the Arts Council of Wales offers training, mentoring and BBC commissioning opportunities to creative people in Wales. Whether you’re a dancer, blogger, musician, writer, photographer, graffiti artist, games designer, puppeteer, circus performer or animator, Ffolio is a new chance to celebrate your creativity.

Through Ffolio you will receive funding to develop your ideas for the screen, and up to 16 will be commissioned to be made into short films. The films will be shown on a variety of BBC platforms on air and online, including television, BBC iPlayer and BBC Cymru Wales’ social media channels. If shortlisted, you will also receive training, bespoke support, and bursaries for costs such as travel, childcare or accessibility requirements.

Over 175 people applied for the first two rounds of Ffolio earlier this year. Six films have been commissioned so far, reflecting Wales’ rich variety of creative talent: writer Lloyd Glanville’s Cardiff, I Love You (working title), ballet dancer Krystal S. Lowe’s Daughters of the Sea, photographer Ashrah Suudy’s East in Colour, performance poet Hanan Issa’s The Golden Apple, theatre director Julie Benson’s King of the Pit, and musician Angharad van Rijswijk’s Whelm.

These six successful creatives are now crafting their short films with expert guidance from film industry mentors Euros Lyn (Dream Horse), Prano Bailey-Bond (Censor), Nida Manzoor (Doctor Who), Carys Lewis (Stuffed), Margo Roe (Searching for Cowardice) and Tracy Spottiswoode (Codename Corgi).

“My experience with Ffolio has been amazing so far,” says Ashrah Suudy. “As a photographer, it has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself creatively. This is an experience I’m truly grateful for, and I encourage others to grab the opportunity and apply!”

Krystal S. Lowe adds: “As a choreographer and writer I am learning so much more about those art forms through seeing them through the eyes of a filmmaker. I've been challenged and gotten so much support and information through this process. I feel excited for how much I will learn, and how much more sustainable my career will be as a result.”

Ffilm Cymru are also hosting Ffolio talent surgeries every Wednesday for you to find out more. These 30-minute, one-to-one sessions are an opportunity to discuss your ideas with guidance from the Ffolio team, as well as information about Ffilm Cymru's other training and funding support. Sessions can be held by phone or Zoom video call; book your appointment here.