S4C’s popular family film Y Syrcas has won two prestigious awards at The European Minority Film Festival held in Husum, Nordfriesland in northern Germany.
Y Syrcas won both The Adjudicators’ Award, and The Audience Award in a festival where they were up against films in minority language from the Basque Country, the Frisian language in Germany, and a Gaelic language film from Scotland.
The film is inspired by a local story about a circus which visited Tregaron in Ceredigion in 1848. During the visit an elephant is said to have died and then buried behind a local tavern.
Y Syrcas tells the story of Sara, a young girl who is bewitched by circus life and builds a bond with ‘Africa’ the elephant.
Actress Saran Morgan, who played the lead role Sara in Y Syrcas was in Germany to receive the award.
“It was a lovely surprise to win one award, but to receive both awards was just fantastic. The film’s strengths were evident, and everyone worked so hard. It was a privilege to receive the award on their behalf and a great experience being at the festival," says Saran, who is currently starring in the S4C drama series Cara Fi.
Y Syrcas director and producer is Kevin Allen, who is famous for the iconic 1997 film Twin Town and who has produced S4C film over the Christmas period, Dan y Wenallt, an exciting new film interpretation of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood.
Kevin Allen said, "This is great news for everyone involved and well deserved by cast and crew alike. It's just great news that the film is playing so well to an international audience."
Gwawr Martha Lloyd, S4C's Drama Commissioner said,
"I'm extremely proud that the film Y Syrcas has received these two awards, and also been recognised on an international stage. Congratulations to all involved with the production."
