Platforming Welsh, LGBT+ and Global Majority Stories

JUNCTION/CYFFORDD is digital filmmaking project established to platform Welsh, LGBT+ and Global Majority people and their stories.

What We're Doing:

We've commissioned five Welsh and Wales-based creatives to embark on an exciting journey of self-expression through digital filmmaking. This project is a platform for both early and mid-career directors in Wales to develop and hone their skills, build their portfolios, and contribute to diversifying the stories being represented through film in Wales. The short films will explore the intersections of Welsh, LGBT+ and Global Majority identities.

What We Aim to Achieve:

We will provide opportunities for five directors to develop their skills and careers.
We will support the directors to create high-quality digital films to enhance their portfolios.
We will increase representation of underrepresented stories and identities in the Welsh cultural sector.

The participants will benefit from personalised mentorship with our Artistic Director Sita Thomas. This includes creative meetings to shape the concept; dramaturgy sessions to refine the script; and workshops to develop storyboards and shot lists.

We are collaborating with Redbrick, who will conduct an exclusive masterclass for our participants and support them through the project. This will cover the practicalities of filming, along with insights on creating compelling storyboards and shot lists.

We look forward to sharing more with you along the journey of this project, and we can’t wait to showcase the fully realised short-films that our powerhouse team will create

We are delighted to be working with our supportive partner AM Cymru who will platform all of the films and support the participants to create their own online digital channels where they can continue to develop and share their portfolio of work.

Our Participants

Emmy Stonelake

Emmy (she/they) is a Queer, multi-disciplinary artist originally from Aberdare. Their work often centres the lives of Welsh, working-class, LGBTQIA+ people and seeks to highlight the Welsh (and Wenglish) spoken by those who attended Welsh medium schools in the ex-industrial South.

Thomas Rhys Neil Leonard

Thomas Leonard is a soon-to-be graduate of the European Theatre Arts Course at Rose Bruford College. Their practice focuses on communication and autonomy in the creation of both group and individual work, spanning a multitude of themes; Happy Decay, performed in Volcano Theatre in 2019, was a self-written two hander about identity and stagnation, their current piece, Man In A Dress, is a semi-improvisational twenty minute performance about home, bodies, and isolation.

Nadia Nur

I’m Nadia Nur, a multi-disciplinary freelance artist from Cardiff. I am an Actor, Filmmaker, and Writer. Who has a passion for real stories and giving a voice to those who are usually unheard. I’m always seeking opportunities to collaborate with people and projects that align with my values. I’m hoping to continue my work, advancing in different creative areas.

Rahim El Habachi

Carmen Almeida, a member of the first directors cohort of 'Arise - Wales Creatives' will film a new lip sync video as her drag alter ego 'DeeDe Vine'. This fabulous Spanish character will be landing in Cardiff Bay, exploring the area in all its glory, and tackling her impending loneliness through creativity and performance.

Juliette Manon

Juliette is a non-binary Queer Director, Playwright and Theatre-Maker. They’re passionate about creating work that amplifies LGBTQ+ voices, women & nonbinary people’s voices and any other voice or story that is under-represented (or rather, not represented) on the Welsh stage and screen.
They’re a member of the Sherman Theatre’s ‘Unheard Voices’ Writer’s Group and Theatr Genedlaethol’s ‘Young Playwright Programme’ (2021-23). Their current projects include being co-Artistic Director of their new theatre company: Cwmni Cwiar and developing their first play.

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