Cymru International Brings In Positive Results For Welsh Indies

Over the past three years, Welsh facilities operation Barcud Derwen and Parthenon, the international distributor of programmes have worked together as Cymru International, to present the S4Ci catalogue of children's and factual documentary programming.
As a result of a successful representation of the S4C International library, Cymru International has grown and nurtured many relationships with Welsh producers directly and with industry resources in Wales.
During that time Cymru International has secured a whopping $4 million in licenses worldwide with Welsh-originated content including programming such as animation hits Hana's Helpline, Dreams and Desires, Operavox and Animated Tales of the World and top-selling documentaries specials from the S4Ci catalogue, which include Ancient Discoveries, The Lost gods and The Map Makers, each of which generated over 20 licenses.
During the three years Cymru International has sold S4C programming to over 80 countries. The joint venture companies have also invested over $2 million into production with Wlesh indies through companies such as Zip TV (Art of War), Opus (Legends of Santa), Al Fresco (Romance in Stone), Green Bay (Rivers and Man) and Brave New World (A Child's Christmas in Wales).
Bryn Roberts, Group Managing Director of Barcud Derwen commented: "I always knew that the production values in Wales were as good as anywhere in the world. I believe the level of sales is impressive and gives us all an opportunity to invest further in high end programmes from Wales with international appeal."
Carl Hall, Parthenon's CEO added: "There is a wealth of talent in the Welsh filmmaking industry and we are great champions of their unique storytelling, aptitude and culture. S4Ci's programming catalogue has performed phenomenally well in Cymru International's care over the past three years and we have done our utmost to ensure that we have built on its reputation on behalf of S4C, the programmes and the Welsh producers. Parthenon's enduring broadcast partnerships have been instrumental in this, and we are every enthusiastic about strengthening our relationships within that sector into 2009.
These comments are further endorsed by John Geraint, Creative Director of Green Bay Media, He said: "Green Bay's ability to deliver ambitious series' like Rivers and Life and to build a sustainable, world-class production base here in Wales owes so much Cymru International. The upfront investment from Cymru International and the very strong sales performance they've delivered are the bedrocks of our success."
(KMcA/BMcC)