23 May 2015

 One of the authors of hit 'Welsh noir' detective drama series Y Gwyll/Hinterland will join other experienced TV writers, editors and producers from Europe and USA to share their expertise in a session held during the Hay Festival on Saturday 23 May.

Ed Thomas will take a break from filming the Y Gwyll/Hinterland second series in Aberystwyth to offer their guidance during the 'In the Room' writers' workshop; presented by S4C, Pinewood Studios Group, Tinopolis and writers initiative Y Labordy. It's supported by BAFTA Cymru and the @BAFTACymru account will tweet from the event, with #intheroomhay

The other contributors include author of Danish/Swedish thriller The Bridge, Hans Rosenfeldt (who will contribute via Skype) and Craig Wright who has worked on popular US productions Six Feet Under, Lost and Dirty Sexy Money.

Also, we'll hear from Caryn Mandabach (Roseanne, Nurse Jackie, Peaky Blinders); Hilary Norrish (Sinking of the Laconia, Garrows Law, Complicit, Omagh); and Nicola Larder of Buccaneer Media.

The 'In the Room' events focus on creative collaboration in TV dramas, and this event will explore the process of collaborative writing, with the aim on appealing to the international market. Eight writers will take part in the workshop, including Fflur Dafydd author of new S4C drama series Parch which begins on Sunday 31 May at 9.00pm (English subtitles). Also taking part are writers Jon Gower, Bethan Marlow and Dafydd James.

In the evening an invited audience of industry representatives will attend a panel discussion on the subject, chaired by Dominic Schreiber, Co-production Consultant and Executive Producer.

Catrin Hughes Roberts, S4C Director of Partnerships says; "We are very excited that S4C, along with Pinewood Studios Group, Tinopolis and Y Labordy, are holding this session in Hay on Wye this year, in the company of such prestigious and experienced individuals. During the Hay Festival, the town is a hub of creativity; a place to inspire and share new ideas, and I'm sure the buzz of this event will inspire the writers as they explore the notion of collaborative writing.

"Through collaborative writing, and co-production partnerships, Y Gwyll/Hinterland has succeeded in appealing to a wide international market, with the sales tally now exceeding 25 territories. We are actively encouraging the creation of high-quality content that will appeal to the international markets as a means of exporting Welsh content and culture to all corners of the world."

The second series of Y Gwyll/Hinterland is currently being filmed in Aberystwyth for broadcast on S4C in the autumn, followed by a BBC Cymru Wales broadcast at a later date. The second series is produced by Fiction Factory for broadcasters S4C and BBC Cymru Wales, in association with Tinopolis and All3Media International.

The 'In the Room' session is being held at Richard Booth's Bookshop, one of Hay on Wye's popular venues. The event is part of Y Labordy which offers support and opportunities for writers to expand their experience through training and working with celebrated writers.

Y Labordy is a joint venture between S4C, Creative Skillset Cymru, Ffilm Cymru Wales, Arts Council of Wales and is being delivered with partner Literature Wales.

Catrin Hughes Roberts adds; "S4C is proud to be an active partner in the Y Labordy venture and to work together with specialist organisations across Wales. It's one of the many ways that S4C has co-operated to offer the next generation the encouragement and skills to fulfil their potential in the creative industries and to develop world-class content."

Ends

Read more about the In The Room event: http://www.bafta.org/wales/whats-on/in-the-room

For a preview of the new S4C drama series Parch, starting Sunday 31 May at 9.00 (English subtitles) go to the S4C YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qSs1SYQrZM

Y Gwyll/Hinterland returns with a second series on S4C in the autumn. See information about previous episodes here: https://www.s4c.co.uk/ygwyll/e_index.shtml