BAFTA Cymru 2025: A Dazzling Showcase of Welsh Creative Excellence
Wales is having a moment—and it’s not just the weather. From the valleys to the vibrant streets of Cardiff, the Welsh creative sector is ablaze with talent, and nowhere is that more evident than at this year’s BAFTA Cymru Awards. As the shortlist for 2025 is revealed, it’s clear: Welsh storytelling is not just thriving—it’s leading.
BAFTA Cymru: More Than Just an Awards Night
Founded in 1991, BAFTA Cymru is the Welsh arm of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, dedicated to celebrating excellence in film, television, and games produced in or by Welsh talent. But it’s more than a glittering ceremony—it’s a cultural cornerstone. From year-round learning programmes to industry masterclasses, BAFTA Cymru nurtures emerging voices while honouring established ones. As Chair Lee Walters puts it, “These nominations celebrate the strength of Welsh storytelling and our fast-growing screen industries”
This year’s ceremony, hosted by the ever-charismatic Owain Wyn Evans, will take place at ICC Wales in Newport on Sunday, 5 October. Expect red carpet glamour, heartfelt speeches, and a celebration of the creative pulse that makes Wales so unique
The 2025 Shortlist: A Celebration of Welsh Talent
The nominations are a testament to the diversity and depth of Welsh creativity. Leading the pack is Lost Boys and Fairies with seven nods, followed by Until I Kill You (five), and Mr Burton and Cleddau (four each)
Performance Categories
• Actor: Harry Lawtey (Mr Burton), Rhys Ifans (House of the Dragon), Shaun Evans (Until I Kill You), Sion Daniel Young (Lost Boys and Fairies)
• Actress: Anna Maxwell Martin (Until I Kill You), Elen Rhys (Cleddau), Gwyneth Keyworth (Lost Boys and Fairies), Katy Wix (Big Boys)
Breakthrough Cymru
• Adam Llewellyn, James Prygodzicz & Thomas Rees (The Golden Cobra)
• Mared Swain (Cleddau)
• Sara Nourizadeh (Finding Hope)
Director: Fiction
• James Kent (Lost Boys and Fairies)
• Joshua Trigg (Sat: Year of the Rabbit)
• Rhys Carter (Ar y Ffin)
Entertainment & Factual Highlights
• The Golden Cobra, Y Llais, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, Helmand: Tour of Duty, Brianna: A Mother’s Story
From first-time nominees to seasoned creatives, the list reflects a sector that’s bold, inclusive, and unafraid to push boundaries.
Wales: A Nation of Awards and Applause
BAFTA Cymru is just one jewel in Wales’ creative crown this year. The Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival returns to Cardiff from 13–19 October, bringing 35 short films from 21 countries and offering the world’s largest LGBTQ+ short film prize of £40,000 C D. It’s not just a festival—it’s a global celebration of queer storytelling, with Cardiff as its beating heart.
Meanwhile, the Cardiffian Awards lit up Penylan in August, honouring community champions and creatives who make the capital shine E. And let’s not forget the Arts & Business Cymru Awards and the KLAT Awards, both of which spotlight innovative partnerships and emerging voices across Wales
Together, these events form a vibrant constellation of recognition, proving that Wales isn’t just watching the arts—it’s shaping them.
Why It Matters
In a world where creative industries are often under pressure, Wales is showing what resilience, imagination, and community can achieve. BAFTA Cymru doesn’t just hand out trophies—it amplifies voices, builds careers, and reminds us that Welsh stories deserve global stages.
So whether you’re a filmmaker in Aberystwyth, a poet in Pontypridd, or a producer in Penarth, this season of celebration is for you. Wales is watching. The world is watching. And the future of Welsh arts has never looked brighter.
