Reflections and the Future

Since Pauline helped found Ffilm Cymru Wales (then the Film Agency for Wales) in 2006, the Welsh film sector has flourished, with the development agency nurturing filmmakers, production companies, independent cinemas and education practitioners, as well as advancing an inclusive skills pipeline.

As of 2023, Ffilm Cymru Wales has invested in 89 feature films, supporting them through to production and many more with development support. Throughout, Ffilm Cymru’s focus has been its commitment to projects that further Welsh writers, directors and producers – whether those films shoot locally or internationally. It has led to a breadth of content that has both supported the local economy and enabled Wales to maintain a high-level of international co-production, with 25-30% of its slate developed with international partners. 

Ffilm Cymru have had to be agile and extract a lot of value from limited resources, with their investment of £15.8m of National Lottery production funding, leveraging £102m of spend, and more than 269 production trainee placements. This is in addition to pioneering new ways of working with Housing Associations, local partners, colleges and training providers through their Foot in the Door programme, addressing systemic barriers to starting a career in the creative industries. And, granting more than £3.3m to independent cinemas, film festivals and community screenings across Wales so that communities across the country had access to independent film in social settings.

Ffilm Cymru Wales has always worked in partnership and stood shoulder to shoulder with organisations across the UK, alongside Government in developing solutions to challenges from Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, to the rising cost of living, and fundamental changes to audience behaviour and the business model for independent film. This includes advocating for and informing Welsh Government’s vital support for freelancers in the industry, which supported retention during the pandemic and set it apart from other areas of the UK. 

With Pauline’s steering, Ffilm Cymru Wales has showcased the vital stories and diverse voices of Welsh filmmakers to the world, with credits including Gideon Koppel’s moving documentary Sleep Furiously, Rungano Nyoni’s BAFTA award-winning I Am Not a Witch, Prano Bailey-Bond’s cult horror Censor, Lee Haven Jones’ Welsh-language eco-horror, Gwledd/The Feast and Euros Lyn’s triumphant Dream Horse. Forthcoming titles are set to continue this big screen success, with Janis Pugh’s musical drama Chuck Chuck Baby, Sally El Hosaini and James Krishna Floyd’s drama Unicorns, and animated adventure Kensuke’s Kingdom headed to cinemas soon. 

Looking forward to the future of Welsh film, the organisation’s new Strategic Plan for 2024-2030, which shines spotlights on equality, creativity, skills, green, entrepreneurialism and wellbeing, will provide a solid foundational script from which Pauline’s successor can lead Ffilm Cymru Wales into the next act of its story. 

Pauline says: “It's an absolute privilege to run a sector development agency, and it's been personally incredibly fulfilling to be part of the journeys of so many producers, writers and directors, as well as cinemas, film festivals, community providers, and skills and training partners. Ffilm Cymru has a wonderful team, and I'm sure that it will be a rewarding home for its new CEO.”

Ffilm Cymru’s Chair Professor Ruth McElroy says: “Pauline has provided ambitious leadership for Film Cymru from its inception. She has demonstrated just how transformative good talent development can be. The growth of Wales’ film industry is thanks in no small part to her leadership and the interventions she put in place as Ffilm Cymru’s CEO. We are deeply grateful for her work and excited to embark on the next chapter with a new CEO.”