Film students capture highlights of Tafwyl festival

Film students at the University of South Wales have created a film capturing the highlights from this year’s Tafwyl festival – an annual celebration of Welsh language music, arts and culture.

The students – Lilwen North, Osian Coleman and Daisy da Gama Howells – worked alongside Bangor University students Emily Pierce, Sîon Dafydd and Huw Morris-Jones to create the film, focusing on the two-day festival held in Bute Park, Cardiff.

Tafwyl boasts five music stages featuring a wide variety of artists, a sports area, kids’ village, street food and market stalls, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to the free event.

Their film features interviews with well-known faces in the Welsh language music scene, such as country singer and songwriter Bronwen Lewis, indie-electro-pop artist Tara Bandito, and many more, alongside regular festival goers and first-time visitors to Tafwyl.

The project was made possible by the Wales Screen Academy – a partnership between USW and Screen Alliance Wales to develop the next generation of film and TV talent in Wales – with funding from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, which helps inspire students to use their Welsh by creating and promoting training and study opportunities.

Lilwen North, 19, from Cardiff, is in her first year of BA (Film) at USW. She said: “I chose the course to learn more of the practical skills behind the scenes. The Tafwyl project appealed to me because it was a great hands-on experience, and I took part in the festival multiple times during primary school. It was exciting to work through the medium of Welsh with others, and using my practical skills while listening to new bands!”

Osian Coleman, 21, from Ystrad Mynach, is about to graduate from the BA (Film) course. He said: “I love filmmaking and want to be an independent filmmaker, and so when the opportunity to work on Tafwyl came up, I took it as it’s rare that I get to work through the medium of Welsh. It’s been a great experience and I’m proud of the film we’ve created.”

Daisy Da Gama Howells, 21, from Pembrokeshire, is in her second year of the BA (Film) course, and added: “I have been wanting to work on a Welsh production since starting university, but hadn’t had the chance – until the Tafwyl project came along. Having the opportunity to work entirely in Welsh with the crew was great fun, and an amazing way to keep up my language skills after secondary school.

“I loved experiencing the huge variety of Welsh music genres and immersing myself in Welsh culture. I have found it so enjoyable – even freeing – to speak Welsh more often, so I’m grateful for this opportunity.”