LESS than one per cent of a Welsh Government filmmaking fund has been invested into Welsh-language films, it has been revealed.
The Media Investment Fund was launched in 2014 and has made £30 million available to support filmmaking in Wales.
But campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg says it has discovered just £40,000 has been handed to Welsh-language films, in comparison with £7 million given to English-language productions.
In a letter to minister Ken Skates, chairman of the charity’s digital group Carl Morris said the figures were “an insult”.
“It is a matter of great disappointment that our government, which is partly responsible for promoting Welsh, can favour the English language to such an extent, especially considering the talent and ability to create films of the highest standards in Welsh,” he said.
“An investment of £7 million over three years in English is very substantial, and the paltry £40,000 is an insult to those who want to produce films in Welsh, the film and television industry working in Welsh, and supporters of the Welsh language more generally.
“The medium of film is an important means of promoting cultures, especially those expressed in minoritised languages such as Welsh.”
But a Welsh Government spokesman said the campaign group had not taken account of funding handed to television or internet-based projects.
“Welsh Government support or investment is available for film and TV projects in both Welsh and English,” he said.
“Our support is conditional on a number of criteria being met including the need to demonstrate an international market, being at least 50 per cent shot in Wales and the strength of the likely economic return to Wales. On that basis we have actively supported internationally successful productions such as Y Syrcas, Dan Y Wenallt and three seasons of Y Gwyll and we continue to support high-end audio visual Welsh language media through our indigenous companies such as Boom Cymru.”
Films funded by the fund include Take Down and Don’t Knock Twice.
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