Ffilm Cymru Wales' new Beacons short films beam into production

Beacons shines a light on Welsh talent, supporting emerging filmmakers from Wales to make a cinematic calling card with funding, training, mentoring and advice. Many creatives behind these short films are building on their backgrounds in television, theatre, dance, music and literature to venture into film. 

BFI NETWORK Wales Manager Jude Lister comments “This was yet again an incredibly competitive year for Beacons, and I would like to congratulate all of the teams supported through development on what they’ve achieved. The commissioned films will be stand-out cinematic shorts from some of the most exciting creative talent coming from Wales today; from Welsh-language folk horror to mythology inspired animation, intimate documentary, dark comedy and experimental drama.”     

The seven new short films heading into production are:

Fisitor

Writer/Director: Llŷr Titus
In this Welsh language folk horror, Ioan is mourning the loss of his husband when he is visited by a sinister presence. Writer Llŷr Titus, who won a Tir Na N-Og award for his debut novel Gwalia, says “I've been a lifelong fan of horror and I'm really looking forward to bringing Fisitor alive onscreen. The idea has been with me for quite some time, and the story is one that’s close to my heart; sharing it with an audience will be very exciting.”

G Flat

Writer/Director: Peter Darney
Producer: Brett Webb
An 84-year-old stroke survivor hires a sex worker, leading to an unexpected climax. Queer writer-director Peter Darney, works in film and theatre, says “G Flat incorporates a range of issues and themes I have been exploring in my work over the years - prejudice, loneliness, intergenerational support, recreational drugs and queer intimacy. It’s so cŵl to bring them together to make a new Welsh Queer short. I’ve met so many awesome people through working with Ffilm Cymru, and I’m super excited to continue that journey.”

Geronimo

Writer/Director: Geraint Morgan
Producer: Catrin Lewis Defis
An amusement arcade owner fears that the old woman who inhabits his dreams is not only driving him mad, but also bleeding his business dry. Geraint Morgan has a wealth of experience writing and directing for television, theatre and radio. He says “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with some fantastic talent both on and off camera on Geronimo, a project inspired by one of the many extraordinary stories my partner’s family have shared with me about life in an arcade in Rhyl. I should add that there’s a fair amount of embellishment, so I really hope that they’ll still speak to me once it's in the can.”

Hounds of Annwn

Writer: Bethan B. Hughes
Directors: Bethan B. Hughes & Bryony Evans
Producer: Lauren Orme
Executive Producer: Helen Brunsdon
A 2D digital animation that tells the tale of a wounded warrior returning to their village only to be hunted by a pack of mysterious dogs. After a desperate pursuit, they must confront their past to find peace in their future. Directors Bethan B. Hughes and Bryony Evans have many years’ experience on animated TV series, and the film is produced by BAFTA-shortlisted Beacons alumni Lauren Orme (Creepy Pasta Salad). The team says “We're so excited to have been commissioned to produce a new animated short film rooted in Welsh folklore. Funding means we can work with a really skilled team and dedicate time to the project.”

The Queer Trichotomy 

Director: Ren Faulkner
Producer: Toby Cameron, On Par Productions
This documentary tells three queer stories through three life-changing appointments: a haircut, a tattoo and a massage. Director Ren Faulkner, who has previously made documentary shorts, says “I can’t wait to get started on The Queer Trichotomy and create something so close to my heart, bringing the queer experience as I’ve known it to the screen and allowing others to see themselves in it.”

Seven

Writer/Director: Krystal S. Lowe
A woman wakes up, overwhelmed in the midst of a period of depression, until a car journey leads to a moment of unexpected vulnerability and release in which she reimagines herself. Dancer, choreographer and filmmaker Krystal S. Lowe made her debut short film Daughters of the Sea through Ffilm Cymru’s Ffolio scheme. She says “It's difficult to express the extent of my excitement and eagerness in Seven being chosen as one of the Beacons short film commissions. After my Beacons Development period I feel even more connected to the work and committed to sharing this story with audiences. My hope is that my short film will offer a new perspective of living with (and offering support to those living with) depression. I can't wait to get started!”

Spectre of the Bear

Writer: Ioan Morris
Director: Josh Hicks
Producer: Nia Alavezos
One man’s obsession with crisps becomes unhealthy... and it’s not because he’s eating them. Tom’s all-consuming quest for the truth takes him on a journey into the unknown in this animated comedy short about nostalgia, corporate conspiracy and bear-shaped potato snacks. Writer Ioan Morris and director Josh Hicks, who share a love of graphic novels and comic books, comment “We’re thrilled that Ffilm Cymru Wales and BBC Wales have chosen to defy the powers that be and allowed us to make this exposé (also an animated comedy) about that most timely of subjects: crisps. Spectre of the Bear might just change the world, but failing that, we hope it’ll at least be funny.”

Following their development funding awards in October, the project teams progressed their short film scripts with guidance from Ffilm Cymru, BFI NETWORK Wales and BBC Cymru Wales. The process included professional development sessions with Antoine Le Bos (script consultant and founder of Le Groupe Ouest) and Beacons alumni filmmakers, as well as mentoring from filmmakers such as Prano Bailey-Bond (Censor), Suki Chan (Hallucinations), Rosemary Baker (Lesbian), Jeanie Finlay (Orion: The Man Who Would Be King) and Roger Williams (Gwledd / The Feast).

Nick Andrews, BBC Cymru Wales Head of Commissioning, says “It is always remarkable to see the sheer range of films commissioned for Beacons; a real treat for audiences and a superb reflection on the rich diversity of storytellers working in Wales at the moment. When the boxset of these films sits proudly on iPlayer you can click your way through such a range of original voices it’s terrific – very bingeable. Congratulations to all who have been commissioned.”

Short films produced through previous Beacons programmes have recently earned awards recognition; Efa Blosse-Mason’s charming animated love story Cwch Deilen was nominated for Best British Short at the 2021 Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival before being broadcast on Channel 4, while both Rhys Marc Jones’ Father of the Bride and Tina Pasotra’s I Choose were nominated for Best Short Film at last year’s BAFTA Cymru awards.