Rare 1990s Welsh Rock Footage to Feature at Film Festival
Newly discovered footage showcasing rock bands from 1990s Wales is set to be screened at a film festival as part of a project supported by Rhys Ifans.
The Hollywood actor will join young participants from the CellB youth programme for the screening of this rare material from the "Cool Cymru" era. The event will take place at the British Film Institute's Rip It Up festival, held at London's Southbank Centre on 3 May.
The "priceless" footage includes performances by bands such as Ffa Coffi Pawb, Catatonia, and Super Furry Animals.
Ifans, who hails from Ruthin, was the lead singer of Super Furry Animals before gaining recognition as an actor with his role in the 1997 crime film Twin Town.
The film project, titled Video Hud: Have You Seen Your Culture Baby, Standing in the Shadows?, is part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of CellB, a cinema, venue, hostel, and pizzeria located in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd.
Ifans will participate in a question and answer session following the screening.
Exploring Welsh Youth Culture Through Film and Music
The project is led by Gwenno Llwyd Till, Cian 'Clinc' Roberts, Yannick Hammer, and Rhys Roberts, and it delves into Welsh youth culture by examining film, music, and life experiences.
Freelance director Gwenno Llwyd Till explained that the band footage was originally captured by record producer Emyr Glyn Williams.
Williams, a co-founder of Ankst Records, passed away from cancer in January 2024 at the age of 57.
Ankst Records was responsible for releasing music by bands including Super Furry Animals, Ffa Coffi Pawb, Datblygu, and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci.
CellB founder Rhys Roberts commented on the significance of the programme:
"The programme captures a moment when Welsh youth culture reshaped music, film and identity - a period now widely recognised as Cool Cymru."
