02 April 2007

Four S4C programmes have scooped four major awards at the 2007 Celtic Media Festival, held this year in the Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Cardiff-based independent production company Opus TF had reasons for a double celebration as two different productions won awards in separate categories.

S4C’s light drama series, Cowbois ac Injans, which has just ended its second series on the Channel, won the Festival’s best drama series award.

The series, that takes an imaginative look at the lives of characters working in a West Wales car salesroom was described by judges as a series “of freshness, with a witty script, a strong cast and above all was great fun and hugely entertaining".

Opus TF’s second triumph came in the entertainment category for the memorable portrayal of the brilliant Welsh pianist Llŷr Williams in the documentary Y Pianydd: Llŷr Williams. The judges believed that "the programme gave us a real insight into his complex mind and character. It was excellent and entertaining".

S4C’s excellence in the field of animation was again recognised in the Celtic Film and Television awards with Caernarfon-based animation company Griffilms winning best animation for the “highly creative and evocative piece of work", Map yr Underground (The Underground Map).

S4C even had a part to play in an Irish triumph as the Irish Gaelic version of the international co-production Llygad y Bwystfil (Eye of the Beast) scooped the youth category award. Puca agus Peist may have been broadcast on Ireland’s TG4, but it was produced by Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da for S4C and S4C International as an as an international co-production and broadcast also in Welsh on S4C. It also included animations by Joanna Quinn’s company Beryl Productions.

Rhian Gibson, S4C’s Director of Commissioning, said: “We are delighted with our success at The Celtic Media Festival this year. We congratulate all three production companies on their success at an international media event which attracts entries from every corner of Britain and beyond. All four productions reflect S4C’s aim of achieving creative excellence by entertaining audiences.”

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