Welsh Secretary highlights ‘tremendous’ cultural and economic importance of the Welsh creative industry
From the high calibre graduates emerging through the ranks of our film schools, to the global impact being made by our independent production…
From the high calibre graduates emerging through the ranks of our film schools, to the global impact being made by our independent production companies, the Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan will today (28 June) see first hand the contribution the creative industries sector is making to the Welsh economy during her visit to Newport and Cardiff.
Mrs Gillan will today visit Newport University’s award-winning School of Film, Photography and Digital Media, before travelling to the capital to visit the headquarters of ITV Wales and Boomerang Plus Plc. She will round off the day in Cardiff Bay where they will meet personnel from S4C and BBC Cymru Wales at the new Porth Teigr BBC studios in Roath Lock.
Secretary of State with Professor Stephen Hagen acting Vice Chancellor of University of Wales Newport
During her visit to Newport University, the Welsh Secretary will meet with professors and the students with aspirations of making their mark on the British and global creative industries.
She will be given a tour of the state-of-the-art studio facilities and be shown a screening of a five-minute award-winning animation by 2012 university graduate, Gemma Roberts.
Secretary of State during the tour of the state-of-the-art studio facilities
Professor Barry Atkins, Head of the University’s School of Film, Photography and Digital Media said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Secretary of State to the University to see the work of the Film school and hear about the history that has made Newport famous for its film programmes.
“The success of Newport film graduates in creating companies and achieving success in national and international awards shows the importance of the creative industries to the economy of South East Wales. The ability to attract, train and develop these students will be increasingly relevant to the wider economic success of the region and Wales as a whole.”
Mrs Gillan will next meet with Phil Henfrey, Head of News & Programmes at ITV Wales at their Culverhouse Cross headquarters. Here, she will be given a guided tour of the studios and engage in discussions about the broadcaster’s plans for future programming.
She will next met with Huw Eurig Davies, chief executive officer of Boomerang Plus Plc, which creates entertainment, factual, sport, music, drama and children’s programmes for television, radio and the web.The company announced in December 2011 that it would work with Milan’s Maga Animation Studios on the production of a new preschool series called Tales of Friendship with Winnie the Pooh for the Disney Junior channel. The programme will air in 2012 in more than 21 countries worldwide.
Mrs Gillan will also meet BBC Cymru Wales Director Rhodri Talfan Davies at the travel to the new Roath Lock studios in Porth Teigr, Cardiff Bay. The studios are the permanent, purpose-built home to flagship BBC dramas Casualty, Doctor Who and Pobol Y Cwm shown on S4C as well as the new Russell T Davies children’s drama Wizards Vs Aliens, which begins this autumn on CBBC.
Mrs Gillan said:
“We cannot underestimate the contribution that the creative industry makes to the Welsh economy and to the image of Wales internationally.
“The confidence and ambition of our existing and fledgling talents are helping to drive forward this industry at home and overseas, underlining Wales’ growing status as a magnet and catalyst for creative talent.
“The independent production sector plays an important role in the quality and diversity of UK television content and has made significant progress in growing the UK export market.”