S4C programme-makers are returning from the 2008 Celtic Media Festival at Galway, Ireland with a raft of top awards.
S4C programmes won four awards across a range of genres, with the Channel’s output highly praised by an international jury comprising representatives from Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Cornwall and Brittany, as well as Wales.
Cardiff-based independent production company Fflic, part of the Boomerang Group of Companies, won the Factual Documentary category for its powerful documentary O’r Galon: Martin Thomas. The film documentary in the highly successful O’r Galon (From The Heart) documentary strand followed one man’s battle to conquer a severe stammer.
Another emotionally-charged film documentary, Wynebau Newydd: Merch y Gadair Ddur won the Sport Profile category. Produced by production company Nant, the film followed Nicola Bee as she pursued her dream of playing wheelchair rugby at the highest international level.
Popular S4C rugby show Rygbi 100% also enjoyed success at the festival, as the Cwmni Da-produced series won the Education category. Presented by Sarra Elgan and Wales international scrum half Dwayne Peel and featuring a galaxy of other rugby stars, the rugby skills programme has proved a huge hit in S4C’s children’s schedule.
S4C’s reputation for creating animation of the highest quality was again enhanced as Holi Hana (Hana’s Helpline) scooped the Animation category. Produced by Cardiff-based independent Calon, the children’s series about the ever helpful duck, is set for a second series back-to-back in both Welsh and English.
Rhian Gibson, S4C’s Director of Commissioning, said: “S4C programme makers have made a huge impression at this year’s Celtic Media Festival. It is a tribute to the creativity and commitment of the production companies that they have succeeded in a competitive media event which had over 400 entries. We congratulate the programme producers on their success.”
