Gareth Davies MS, Member of the Senedd for Vale of Clwyd, and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport, and North Wales, has welcomed the growth of Rhyl’s creative sector following a visit to the newly launched Wicked Wales Studios – a dynamic community film space offering training, production facilities, and international opportunities to young people and creatives across North Wales.
The studios officially opened in January 2025 and are already making a strong impact. The multi-use space offers professional filming equipment, a cinema screen, gaming, and meeting spaces, and is designed to serve both established creatives and newcomers to the industry. Regular activities include weekly coffee mornings with film screenings, monthly family film events, and open days for freelancers to network and use the facilities.
Wicked Wales Studios is currently working with a range of community groups from Rhyl – including Rhyl Little Theatre, Brighter Futures, Rhyl Marching Band, and the Harbour Café – to produce a series of promotional videos. Their lead project is a youth-led adaptation of Twelve Doors by local author Les Jones, with filming set in West Rhyl. The project allows young people to shadow professional directors and crew, gaining hands-on experience in filming, production, and storytelling.
Beyond its local impact, Wicked Wales maintains strong international connections. The studio is part of the wider Wicked Wales Film Festival network, involving over 40 global partners. It has previously collaborated with youth organisations in India, Sri Lanka, Serbia, and Greece, and this year, two representatives will travel to Brazil through the British Council to further develop cultural partnerships. The 2025 edition of the International Youth Film Festival, hosted by Wicked Wales, will take place in October, with applications now open to young filmmakers worldwide.
The studio team is also exploring future cultural projects for Rhyl, including potential use of the former Vue Cinema building as a creative centre. As Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport, and North Wales, Gareth Davies MS expressed his strong backing for the studio’s work and its wider vision for the region and the promotion of the film industry in Wales.
Following the visit, Vale of Clwyd MS and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport, and North Wales, Gareth Davies, said:
“It was a pleasure to visit Wicked Wales Studios in Rhyl which is a shining example of what can happen when a community pulls together behind a shared goal.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see a project in Rhyl that not only inspires creativity but also delivers real-world opportunities for young people whilst adding to the rich artistic tapestry of Wales.
“They’re building something really impressive that will kickstart the film industry in Wales and put North Wales firmly on the cultural map.”