Young Filmmakers Shine at Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival

Yn Gymraeg // Read this in Welsh

Fifteen students from Willows High School, Cardiff, have brought their creativity to life on the big screen with Snapped Strings, a short film produced as part of our industry-backed Every Child a Filmmaker programme. The film was made in partnership with Iris Prize, and premiered at the recent Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival.

Over several weeks, the young filmmakers, aged 14 to 16, learned practical filmmaking skills, from scriptwriting and production planning, to acting and camera work. Through hands-on workshops, they gained confidence in their creative voices, strengthened their teamwork skills, and developed a deeper understanding of the film industry.

Snapped Strings (recommended for ages 11+) explores themes of friendship and homophobic bullying, delivering a powerful and sensitive story that we're sure will resonate with audiences. The film was featured at the opening night of the 2025 Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival, where the students saw their work on the big screen for the very first time. A post-screening Q&A session with TV presenter Llinos Lee highlighted the students' reflections on their new skills, growing connections, and aspirations within the creative industries.

"This touching short film is a testament to the power of youth-led storytelling", said Alan Chappell-Williams, Head of Expressive Arts at Cardiff Council, who praised Snapped Strings for its raw emotion and exploration of masculinity, grief, and vulnerability.

The film was a powerful expression of youth voice and identity, and it was wonderful to see the confidence and pride of the Willows learners shining through on screen.
Alan Chappell-Williams, Head of Expressive Arts at Cardiff Council

Snapped Strings showcases not only the talent of these young filmmakers but also the transformative impact of creative partnerships that empower youth voices in film.

You can watch the film below, and - where suitable, appropriate and relevant to do so - share it with young people in the classroom as part of curriculum provision.

Snapped Strings: Gwneuthurwyr Ffilm Ifanc yn Disgleirio yng Ngŵyl Gwobrau LHDTQ+ Iris

Fel rhan o brosiect Pob Plentyn yn Creu Ffilm Into Film, cafodd pymtheg o fyfyrwyr o Ysgol Uwchradd Willows, Caerdydd, y cyfle i ddathlu a rhannu eu creadigrwydd drwy ddangos eu ffilm ar y sgrin fawr fel rhan o noson agoriadol Gŵyl Ffilm Iris yn ddiweddar.

Fel rhan o'r prosiect, cafodd y bobl ifanc, rhwng 14 a 16 oed , y cyfle i weithio'n agos â thîm Iris i ddatblygu eu sgiliau gwneud ffilm, gan gynnwys ysgrifennu sgriptiau, cynllunio a chynrchu, actio a gwaith camera. Trwy weithdai ymarferol, darparwyd y cyfle i ennyn hyder, hogi sgiliau creadigol, mireinio sgiliau gwaith tîm, a datblygu eu dealltwriaeth o'r diwydiant ffilm.

Mae Snapped Strings (addas ar gyfer 11+) yn archwilio themâu sy'n ymwneud â chyfeillgarwch a bwlio homoffobig, ac mae'n cyflwyno stori bwerus, sensitif sy'n berthnasol i gynulleidfaoedd ifanc. Dangoswyd y ffilm yn noson agoriadol Gŵyl Ffilm LHDTQ+ Iris 2025, lle cafodd y myfyrwyr y cyfle i weld eu gwaith ar y sgrin fawr am y tro cyntaf. Yn dilyn y dangosiad, cynhaliwyd sesiwn Holi ac Ateb er mwyn rhoi'r cyfle i'r bobl ifanc rannu mwy am eu profiadau, trafod eu sgiliau newydd, a sôn am eu dyheadau i weithio o fewn y diwydiannau creadigol.

"Mae'r ffilm yn adlewyrchu pha mor bwysis yw hi i roi llais i bobl ifanc i adrodd eu storïau" - meddai un adolygydd a oedd yn bresennol, gan bwysleisio hefyd sut yr aeth y bobl ifanc ati i drin a thrafod pynciau fel emosiwn ac empathi, ynghŷd â archwilio pynciau yn ymwneud â galar a gofalu am ein gilydd.

Nododd Alan Chappell-Williams, Pennaeth Celfyddydau Mynegiannol yng Nghyngor Caerdydd, "Roedd y ffilm yn fynegiant pwerus o lais a hunaniaeth pobl ifanc, ac roedd yn hyfryd gweld hyder a balchder dysgwyr Willows yn disgleirio ar y sgrin."

Mae Snapped Strings nid yn unig yn arddangos talent y gwneuthurwyr ffilmiau ifanc hyn ond hefyd effaith drawsnewidiol partneriaethau creadigol sy'n grymuso lleisiau pobl ifanc mewn ffilm a diolch i'r holl bartneriaid, yn enwedig Gŵyl Ffilm LHDTQ+ Iris a Thîm Cwriclwwm Caerdydd am eu cefnogaeth gyda'r prosiect arbennig hwn.

Beth am wylio'r ffilm fel rhan o'ch darpariaeth cwricwlwm priodol ac addas.