BLACKWOOD is set to become a film industry hotspot when an annual documentary festival launches this year.

The Welsh International Documentary Festival will take place between Thursday, May 12 and Saturday, May 14 in Blackwood, using the Maxime Cinema and Blackwood Miners’ Institute as venues.

Alongside screening 50 films, the event will host networking sessions, training programmes and master classes, aiming to draw industry experts and international audiences to South Wales.

With BAFTA Cymru and Creative Europe support and the aid of Caerphilly County Borough Council, the festival team are “passionate” about the project and want to get the community involved.

Artistic director Dave Evans said: “As a film maker I have worked in many locations across Europe and there has always been something appealing to me about places that are off the beaten track.

“Blackwood has two great spaces to show films and I think the festival will have a larger impact in this area as opposed to setting up the festival in Cardiff.”

He added: “There is room for a boutique festival with an English language focus here and we hope the festival will draw talent to Wales and help facilitate contact between filmmakers.”

Mr Evans is joined by a team of experienced artists including festival coordinator Cai Howells, head of development / fundraising, Aleksandra Nikolajev-Jones and marketing specialist Sandra Spighel.

The three-day event has hired a single screen in the Maxime Cinema, Blackwood, co-ordinated by Steve Reynolds of Four Seasons Entertainment.

He said: “The plans to establish an annual festival are very exciting and could put Blackwood on the map.

“Obviously we hope that this will be a success and that it brings a lot of people into the area.”

The festival is also supported by several trustees including CCBC arts development manager David Chamberlain, MP for Islwyn Chris Evans and Dr Garrabost Jayalakshmi, of the University of Wales.

Mr Chris Evans described the festival as a “fantastic opportunity” and said he was proud to support it.

He said: “As well as providing a good event, the festival will train and showcase Welsh talent throughout the year.

“This will give more local people the opportunity to work in the creative industry, and contribute to the economic, cultural and social regeneration of the region.”

Caerphilly County Borough Council cabinet member Cllr Ken James also expressed support and “wished the organisers well in their preparations over the coming months".

Cllr Nigel Dix, of Blackwood ward added: “The fact that the festival has decided to come here shows that Blackwood has a lot to offer — this is a win win situation for us.

“It’s going to bring a lot to the local economy and is certain to put Blackwood on the map.”

Film maker submissions are now open and for more information visit widf.info