07 November 2019

S4C is one of the first broadcasters to have received sponsorship from the Young Audiences Content Fund. The channel has been awarded more than £500,000 to develop content for children and young people.

The fund, which is managed by the British Film Institute (BFI), includes £57 million of Government funding with the aim of making creative and inspirational projects for children and young people.

From a total of 120 applications that were received, S4C has been successful in winning two drama commissions aimed at young people, which deal with challenging subjects. Additional social media material will also be created, aimed at engaging with young people.

Person/A (Cwmni Da) is an innovative play for 12-14 year olds that has been developed and produced by a team of young people. Themes that are discussed in the series include mental health, emotional intelligence and abuse.

Y Gyfrinach (Boom Cymru) is a bold play for 14-18 year olds. It tackles geographic isolation by following five friends who are going away for a weekend together.

S4C is also of the Sol (Paper Owl Films) commission, which is a co-production between BBC Alba, S4C and TG4. Sol will be produced in three languages - Welsh, Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic. Sol tells an imaginary story of a child trying to save the world following the death of his grandmother. This touching animation will help young people aged 8-11 understand the nature of grief.

Amanda Rees, S4C's Director of Content, said: "Commissioning original and bold children's content in Welsh has always been a priority for S4C.

"The YACF fund will allow us to develop even more ambitious content for our younger viewers and refresh the channel's appeal specifically for older children – an age group that of course watches less traditional television then ever before.

"Thanks to the fund there is also an opportunity to collaborate with other broadcasters to create ambitious content such as animations that can appeal globally.

"We are extremely grateful for the strategically important opportunities this fund has created and anticipate it will lead to better Service for younger viewers across the country. "

Jackie Edwards, Head of the Young Audiences Content Fund, said: "We are impressed with the quality of the applications and are delighted that S4C has been successful in attracting sponsorship from the fund.

"The commitment and level of partnership from the broadcasters certainly helps to ensure the Fund's positive impact. As they take advantage of the opportunities the fund offers, and open their schedules and budgets, we are bringing great new content to children and young people.

"I'm really excited to see these productions by S4C and the other broadcasters in action. "

The fund was launched in April 2019 and within six months, the fund has been responsible for co-producing nine series and programmes with six different broadcasters: S4C, Channel 5, ITV, BBC ALBA, TG4 and Sky.