Welsh bet on winners in Santa Monica

As the American Film Market, the premiere event for feature film financing in the world, draws to a close, the Welsh contingent have been celebrating a successful week of meetings and negotiations.
The mission to Los Angeles has been co-ordinated by Sgrîn Cymru Wales, and attending the event were Welsh producers seeking additional funding for their feature projects.
“The American Film Market has been a fantastic opportunity to arrange meetings with American and European companies who are intending to come and film their projects in Wales, such as Milkwood Productions – Catherine Zeta Jones and brother David Jones’ company,” said Judith Higginbottom, Head of Production at Sgrîn Cymru Wales.
“In addition to encouraging more productions to come to Wales and use our stunning scenery and employ Welsh crew members and actors we are in discussions with international companies who are interested in working with companies in Wales and developing stories with a Welsh slant. The AFM experience will hopefully be the impetus for an exciting 6 months for film-making in Wales.”
One of the projects being discussed at the AFM, which is being developed by Cardiff based IE Ideas, is Barry Vegas, a tale of hustling and scamming as one man creates the ultimate gambling experience. As this was not the only gambling-related project taken to the AFM by a Welsh company, Sgrîn decided to celebrate with a VIP event with a gambling theme. Welsh and American producers and actors gathered for the event at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica to make new contacts and celebrate St David’s day early.
(GB)