'Dysgu Hedfan' wins Iris Prize Community Award
The film, created by Coleg Menai students as part of It’s My Shout 2024, scooped the accolade at the LGBTQ+ film festival in Cardiff
‘Dysgu Hedfan’, a film made by Coleg Menai students, has won the Community Award at the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
The film tells the story of Erin (played by Gwenno Evans), who grows wings as she develops feelings for best friend Alaw (Ffion Jones).
It was produced as part of It’s My Shout 2024, an annual collaboration which enables up-and-coming talent from across Wales to create unique dramas for BBC and S4C.
Coleg Menai has been working with It’s My Shout for more than a decade, with students creating one film in Welsh and one in English every year.
Performing Arts students star in the films, while Creative Media and Art and Design learners are involved in filming, set design, make-up and other vital behind-the-scenes roles.
Dysgu Hedfan (Learning to Fly) starred Gwenno and Ffion alongside other learners, and was directed by Juliette Manon and written by Megan Angharad Hunter. It was shown on S4C and its youth platform Hansh, and is available to watch on YouTube.
It will now gain more exposure at festivals across the UK and beyond after winning the Iris Prize Community Award, for films created by non-professionals, grassroots groups and those not fully funded.
Pictures: Kieran Samuel, Lisa Meleri Williams and Selina Copestake
Paul Edwards, Creative Arts manager for Coleg Menai, said: “We’re really excited and proud to be involved with Dysgu Hedfan, and really pleased for our learners who worked so diligently on the film. This award is testament to their hard work.
“Winning this award also shows the value of our relationship with It’s My Shout. This success wouldn’t be possible without It’s My Shout, S4C and the BBC, and the way they’ve supported us over the years.
“It’s really pleasing to see films being created in North Wales with young learners who are just starting their careers. Having this recognition is fantastic for them and is a great jump-start for their careers.”
At the time of filming, the cast of Dysgu Hedfan were studying Level 3 Performing Arts at Coleg Menai in Bangor. Ffion is now studying Level 4 Musical Theatre at the college, while Gwenno is in the second year of her drama degree at Aberystwyth University.
This year’s It’s My Shout films were premiered at the Bangor campus on Wednesday, October 22. Coleg Menai students starred and worked behind the scenes on Pants and Esblygiad, which will be televised on BBC and S4C in the near future.
Do you want to work in the performing arts industry? Grŵp Llandrillo Menai offers courses from Level 1 up to Level 4 (Certificate of Higher Education). Learn more here.