Flagship centre opens doors to media festival
THE first International Media Festival of Wales supported by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) was held at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin in Carmarthen recently.
The free event was part of the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, set up by UWTSD’S Carmarthen film and media graduate Kelvin Guy.
It celebrated local and international talent across a range of media and provided an opportunity for individuals to network with practitioners and educators within the industry to share their experiences together.
A series of workshops, screenings and talks were held throughout the two days.
Students from UWTSD’S film and media courses in Carmarthen were invited to help and take part in the event as an opportunity to get an insight into the industry.
Festival director Brett Aggersberg welcomed everyone at the beginning of the festival before delivering his keynote speech about how visual media and technology have influenced our creative opportunities and that we are now on the edge of a new frontier with Virtual Reality.
Among the guest speakers were Karl Sedgwick and Matthew Long from Domingos Studios.
Karl said: “We were delighted to be invited by Brett and UWTSD to present our digital 3D work at the festival this year. Having such a diverse and interesting range of speakers and events here in West Wales is inspiring and educational.
“It’s vital that students are exposed to the latest technologies and trends in the industry, and to be able to engage with industry practitioners on a face-to-face basis is priceless diolch,”
Also present was Craig Morrison UK territory manager from OM System Imaging and Audio, who said: “I was honoured to be involved in the International Media Festival of Wales and I had a great day at the event.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to get a greater understanding of the courses and facilities available at UWTSD as well as getting to network with the students and other creatives.
“We held a hands-on photography workshop in the evening with the students getting to borrow some OM System Cameras and Lenses to shoot creative images of Fire Spinners.”
Brett Aggersberg, a UWTSD adventure filmmaking lecturer and festival director said: “It has been an honour to be the director of the first International Media Festival of Wales. It has been a stimulating and exciting two days with speakers and visitors from all over the world taking part.
Third-year BA filmmaking student Tristan Francis, said: “I find it a way of connecting to people in the industry I hope to be in, it also allows me to gain knowledge too.”