International Film Festival of Wales

International Film Festival of Wales
LocationWales
Founded2006; 17 years ago
LanguageEnglish
Websitehttps://www.filmfestivalguild.com/

The International Film Festival of Wales (IFFW), previously known as the Newport International Film Festival (2007–2015),[1] is an annual film festival established in 2006 and is one of four festivals hosted by the Film Festival Guild, including the British Animation Film Festival, the British Independent Film Festival and the British Horror Film Festival.[2][3] IFFW was held in various venues in Newport[4] before branching out to other areas of Wales such as Neath Port Talbot[5] and Cardiff,[6] and is now located at the oldest cinema in Wales,[7] the Market Hall Cinema in Brynmawr.[8] The festival showcases a wide variety of films from around the world including feature films, shorts films, music videos and documentaries, with a particular emphasis on Welsh cinema.

The International Film Festival of Wales aims to provide a platform for filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to showcase their work, participate in exclusive opportunities for networking, as well as to promote cultural exchange and dialogue through the medium of film.[9] The festival attracts a diverse audience including filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts from Wales and beyond.[10]

In addition to film screenings, the festival features Q&A sessions with filmmakers, actors and film crew. The festival also presents a number of awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Director and many others.[11] IFFW also showcases and supports unproduced screenplays of outstanding quality, which are featured and award as part of The Dragon List.[12]

Since its inception, IFFW has grown in stature and reputation, attracting an increasing number of attendees and submissions from around the world. This festival has become an annual event in Wales, as well as an important platform for promoting Welsh cinema on the international stage.[13]

In addition to its typical in-person events, the International Film Festival of Wales was also hosted online in 2020[14] and 2021[15] due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  1. ^ "The Film Festival Guild | Our Story". Film Festival Guild. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  2. ^ "The Film Festival Guild | The Festivals". Film Festival Guild. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  3. ^ Kiani, Tamkeen (2022-09-08). "Wales International Film Festival". National Today. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  4. ^ "The Film Festival Guild | IFFW 2007". Film Festival Guild. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  5. ^ "The Film Festival Guild | IFFW 2015". Film Festival Guild. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  6. ^ "The Film Festival Guild | IFFW 2016". Film Festival Guild. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  7. ^ "Market Hall Cinema". Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  8. ^ "IFFW 2022". Film Festival Guild. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  9. ^ "The Film Festival Guild | International Film Festival of Wales". Film Festival Guild. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  10. ^ "The Film Festival Guild | Our Story". Film Festival Guild. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  11. ^ "IFFW 2022". Film Festival Guild. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  12. ^ "Award winning Midlands writer to host book signing for debut novel 'Europia' in Bromsgrove WHSmith". Bromsgrove Standard. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  13. ^ Kiani, Tamkeen (2022-09-08). "Wales International Film Festival". National Today. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  14. ^ "IFFW 2020". Film Festival Guild. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  15. ^ "IFFW 2021". Film Festival Guild. Retrieved 2023-03-21.