FFILM CYMRU WALES SELECTS NEW SHORT FILMS FOR PRODUCTION AND LAUNCHES LATEST FUNDING ROUND

Beacons shines a light on Welsh talent, supporting emerging filmmakers from Wales to make a cinematic calling card with funding, training, mentoring and guidance. Since 2014, the scheme has produced 50 short films seen on cinema, television and digital screens around the world. 

Last year, eight projects were selected to be developed with funding and guidance from Ffilm Cymru Wales. During the process, the creative teams also engaged with a series of training and mentoring sessions that covered storytelling, sound design, festival strategies, environmental sustainability, and accessibility.

Following the development and re-application process, four projects encompassing live-action fiction, animation and documentary have now been commissioned into production this year:

Closet 

A closeted flight attendant and his chaotic best friend visit his eccentric family to help his also closeted twin brother come out, only for a drug-cocktail-fuelled dinner party to unravel everyone’s hidden truths – just in time for the end of the world.

Produced by Rosie Hartley, Closet is writer-director Yassa Khan’s second narrative short film, following Pink and a variety of music videos and documentaries featuring artists such as Billie Eilish and Yungblud. Yassa participated in Ffilm Cymru Wales’ talent development programme Space / Lle in 2025, and is also developing his debut feature film, Daffodil.

Plant  

After struggling to conceive, Mindy begins emptying her menstrual cup into a neglected house plant. The plant rewards her with her one true wish, but is it too good to be true?   

Both writer/director Jodie Ashdown and producer Jenny Thompson have extensive experience on BBC Studios’ iconic TV drama Casualty. Having written for theatre, radio and short film, Jodie makes her directorial debut with Plant. 

Sea Change 

Maryam is frustrated by her relationship with her elderly mother Elie. They now live in Wales, but Elie originally comes from Iran and Maryam grew up there too. They visit a family therapist to discuss their issues, and the session reveals deep-seated trauma about the life and the country they left behind. 

Writer/director Leyla Pope previously directed short film Love Struck for It’s My Shout and BBC Cymru Wales, as well as 2nd Unit on Euros Lyn’s Ffilm Cymru Wales funded feature Dream Horse. Animation director Efa Blosse-Mason made her own animated short Cwch Deilen / Leaf Boat through the Beacons scheme in 2020. 

Telling The Bees 

Beekeeper Elyssa meditates on her deep, spiritual connections to her bees, as we uncover an ancient tradition which has connected people with nature for generations. 

Documentary filmmaker Florence Browne’s work is rooted in communities, examining mental health, faith, sexuality and Cornish / Welsh identities. Her exhibition film Straeon a Thirwedd Newidiol / Stories of a Changing Landscape was installed at Swansea Museum for Swansea Council’s Rural Development Programme. 

Jude Lister, Ffilm Cymru Wales’ Manager of Development & Production, says: “We can’t wait to see the filmmakers’ visions realised on screen. It’s exciting to be supporting a cohort of Wales-based creatives with ambitions to reach film audiences globally, whether that’s through dark comedy, drama, documentary or animation.”