20 September 2021

The S4C documentary DRYCH: Chwaer Fach, Chwaer Fawr has been nominated for a prestigious Grierson Award.

The Grierson Awards acknowledge and celebrate the best documentary programmes from all over the UK and abroad who have made a substantial contribution to the genre.

DRYCH: Chwaer Fach, Chwaer Fawr (Little Sister, Big Sister) was produced as part of the DRYCH (Mirror) series by film-maker Nia Dryhurst from Caernarfon and her production company Dogma.

At the heart of this personal and emotional film is the relationship between Nia and her sister Llinos. The two – one a former nun the other a former soldier – don't get on.

But when Llinos broke her neck in a serious accident, Nia was the first person she called from her bed at the specialist hospital in Stoke-on-Trent. Nia saw the accident as an opportunity to improve her relationship with her younger sister, through therapy sessions, on-camera confessional and capturing it all on film.

Nia said: "I'm very pleased to have been nominated for a Grierson Award. They are awards which are considered to be the Oscars of the documentary world and so it's a huge honour for Chwaer Fach, Chwaer Fawr to have been given such a platform. It puts productions from Wales on the map and shows that documentary series of the highest quality are being created here in Wales.

"But this isn't just a nomination for an individual. It's as a result of team work. None of this would have been possible without the creative talent of the production team and without the support of my family and S4C. It's a pleasure and a privilege, therefore, to be able to create films which are considered among the best."

Llinos Wynne, S4c's Commissioner of Factual Programmes said: "Being nominated for a Grierson Award is an honour of the highest order and proves that we can produce challenging films in the Welsh language which can stand side-by-side with some of the best documentary films in the world.

"Chwaer Fach Chwaer Fawr is a very personal film which shows incredible bravery and honesty from Llinos and Nia in sharing their story. Congratulations to Nia and all the production team."

The winners will be announced in a special ceremony in London on Wednesday, 10 November 2021.

ENDS