The Film Agency for Wales invested £2.6m to strengthen the infrastructure for the film industry in Wales during its last financial year. Figures for the period April 2010 to March 2011 show that FAW provided support to independent production companies, writers, directors and producers as Wales strives to make “distinctive, quality films for the global market”.

Production awards totalling £1.27m were made across nine new film projects and seven existing projects. A further 15 were supported with development funding of £102,380. Further work to strengthen the infrastructure in Wales included a business training programme for ten independent production companies led by industry veteran Angus Finney. Working with 14 independent cinema venues and a range of film festivals, the Film Agency for Wales also awarded £133,000 across exhibition to support 3709 specialist film screenings.

Commenting on the Film Agency”s investment, chairman Peter Edwards said: “We”re committed to building infrastructure to support viable and sustainable Welsh film businesses, with distinctive talent at the heart of those companies generating engaging and internationally appealing intellectual property. Film intrinsically delivers a range of benefits across the economic, cultural, heritage, education and regeneration agendas, and we are actively working with central and devolved Government, the BFI, national and regional agencies, the broadcasters, Skillset, HE and FE bodies and Local Authorities, to realise those benefits.”

Despite the economic downturn, Welsh producers have been doing pretty well recently. Aside from FAW”s investment, the BBC has also developed Cardiff as a centre of excellence for television drama production.