Rhys Ifans joins us at Into Film Cymru

Cliciwch yma i ddarllen y stori'n Gymraeg

We were delighted to recently host an event with Welsh actor Rhys Ifans, who spoke to 200 young people about his career in film and his commitment to supporting the use of film as an educational tool across Wales. Watch the video above to hear Rhys talk about the profound power of film.

Students from six schools took part in the lively Q&A session at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr in Cardiff on 26 September, which was led by Welsh presenter Daniel Glyn, with input from our own young reporter Molly. Rhys also relaunched the school's Into Film Club and enthused about the Into Film Festival, which takes place from 8 - 24 November, and includes almost 200 free screenings in Wales.

Ifans put across his belief that film, with its universal appeal, can help young people to better understand important issues and each other. He also called for more literature to be taught in Welsh schools, believing that literature and film are both vital to learning.

"Film is a great leveller", remarked Ifans, "and can lead to an exciting avenue of exploration for all students, regardless of background and ability. What's great about Into Film Cymru and the Into Film Festival - which is completely free - is that you are opening up a world of possibilities for all, regardless of how much money they have in their pocket. Film should be accessible to all and I, for one, want to champion its power."

"The impact of film on a group of people is priceless. You can analyse and discuss - that's where the power of film lies. Films are different to novels, which are just as important, but people read novels in isolation. If you see a film, it's for a community audience or a family watching together. It's something you can share, and with that, we create empathy with each other. Film teaches us it's not just about me."

The visit was part of our commitment to enabling young people to interact with professional filmmakers and learn about careers in the film industry, and was welcomed by educators and students alike. 

"I have been teaching for many years now, and I am struggling to recall a time when pupils have responded so well to an event", said John Hayes, Headteacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr. "Many thanks to Into Film Cymru for organising this, and to Rhys for engaging so passionately with our young people. This has been an event that has truly inspired, informed and motivated them."

Rhys Ifans' advice to his younger self

Rhys Ifans reveals his favourite films

Download our bilingual 'Wales on Film' primary and secondary resources, which showcase and celebrate the breadth of Welsh filmmaking talent and the wealth of films that are created in Wales. Both resources have been linked to the current curriculum and the Digital Competencies Framework.

And don't forget to book your free tickets for the Into Film Festival! There are many events and screenings taking place in Wales and all over the UK. Find out what's on in your area and book your tickets today!

Rhys Ifans yn ymuno a ni yn Into Film Cymru

Roedd hi'n bleser i Into Film Cymru groesawu'r actor Rhys Ifans yn ôl i Gaerdydd yn ddiweddar. Siaradodd â 200 o bobl ifanc am ei yrfa yn y diwydiant ffilm a'i ymrwymiad i gefnogi'r defnydd o ffilm fel arf addysgol mewn ysgolion ledled Cymru.

Ymunodd myfyrwyr o chwe ysgol o dde Cymru â'r sesiwn fywiog rhwng yr actor a'r cyflwynydd Daniel Glyn. Yn ystod y digwyddiad fe ail-lansiwyd Clwb Into Ffilm Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr ac aeth ati hefyd i hyrwyddo Gŵyl Ffilm Into Film, a gynhelir rhwng Tachwedd 8 a 24ain, gyda 3500 o ddangosiadau a digwyddiadau am ddim i ysgolion ledled y DU, gan gynnwys bron i 200 yng Nghymru. 

Fel rhan o'r drafodaeth fe nododd yr actor ei fod am dynnu sylw at bŵer ffilm a gallu'r cyfrwng i apelio at bawb ac helpu pobl ifanc i ddeall materion a themâu pwysig a heriol.

Wrth drafod pwysigrwydd ffilm soniodd am bwysigrwydd llenyddiaeth a ffilm a'u grym o fewn y dosbarth: 

"Mae ffilm yn gyfrwng arbennig, mae'n mynd â myfyrwyr ar antur arbrofol a chyffrous, beth bynnag yw eu cefndir neu eu gallu. Yr hyn sy'n wych am Into Film Cymru - a'r ŵyl ffilm sy'n rhad ac am ddim yw'r ffordd y maent yn agor byd o bosibiliadau i bawb, waeth faint o arian sydd ganddynt yn eu pocedi. Dwi wedi cael fy ysbrydoli gan y myfyrwyr yr wyf i wedi cwrdd â nhw heddi. Ma' nhw'n hyderus yn trafod ffilm ac yn gallu mynegi eu barn yn angerddol. Dylai ffilm fod ar gael i bawb ac yr wyf i eisiau annog ac hyrwyddo hyn i bawb."

"Mae effaith ffilm ar grŵp o bobl yn amhrisiadwy. Gallwch ddadansoddi a thrafod - dyna ywgrym ffilm. Mae ffilmiau'n wahanol i nofelau, er yr un mor bwysig, ond mae poblyn darllen nofelau ar eu pennau eu hunain. Pan ry'ch chi'n gwylio ffilm ry'chchi'n rhan o gynulleidfa gymunedol neu deulu sy'n gwylio gyda'i gilydd. Mae'n rhywbeth y gallwch chi ei rannu a thrwy hynny, ry'n ni'n creu empathi ar y cyd. Mae ffilm yn ein dysgu am y byd ehangach ac mai nid myfi yw'r unig un sy'n mynd drwy'r profiadau neu'r teimladau hyn".

Roedd yn ymweliad llwyddiannus iawn ac yn rhoi cyfle i bobl ifanc gwrdd â seren o'r byd ffilm a dysgu am y trawsdoriad o yrfaoedd sydd ar gael o fewn y diwydiant. Fel y dywedodd Pennaeth Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr.

"Rwyf wedi bod yn dysgu ers blynyddoedd lawer, ac rwy'n ei chael hi'n anodd cofio digwyddiad sydd wedi creu cystal argraff ar bobl ifanc fel y gwnaeth y sesiwn yma gyda Rhys Ifans. Diolch yn fawr i Into Film Cymru am drefnu hyn, ac i Rhys am fod mor angerddol a hapus i siarad â'n pobl ifanc. Mae hwn wedi bod yn ddigwyddiad sydd wedi'u hysbrydoli a'u hysgogi I gyrraedd eu potensial".

Cyngor Rhys i Rhys ifanc

Rhys Ifans yn son am ei hoff ffilmiau

I ddysgu mwy am ddiwydiant ffilm Cymru lawrlwythwch ein hadnodd dwyieithog Cymru ar Ffilm (Cynradd/Uwchradd) sy'n dathlu arlwy ffilmiau o ac am Gymru ac sy'n cydfynd ag anghenion y cwricwlwm o ran llythrennedd a themâu pwysig ynghyd â'r fframwaith cymhwysedd digidol.