A SHORT film shot in Llandudno last year has celebrated hitting screens for the first time.
Sharks in Colwyn Bay was written and directed by Welsh-English filmmaker Jonny Williams between May 16 and 20, 2023, and premiered at the BFI Southbank cinema in London on January 25.
The short film was shot at both the West Shore Beach Café, on Dale Road, and The Mediterranean Restaurant, on Mostyn Street.
In the film, naïve Welshman Dick (Michael Christopher) runs a struggling Spanish café on the coast of North Wales.
When loan shark Gary (Sean Jones) issues Dick with an ultimatum, the daydreaming restaurateur tries to wipe off his debts with an impassioned meal.
But it soon becomes clear that Dick must take drastic action or lose his beloved tapas business forever.
The dark comedy short film, 16 minutes in length, was according to Jonny, a “real challenge” to shoot.
Jonny, whose parents both went to school in Holywell, has been making films since the age of nine, starting with stop-motion animation before moving to live-action.
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He said: “The showcase went really well, and it was such an honour to show it in the BFI, especially considering it’s a film which deals with these quite modern British conundrums.
“It meant a lot to show it at the BFI for its public premiere; it went down really well.
“It’s really nerve-wracking to show your work to an audience, especially of strangers; it’s like lifting the veil.
“The whole audience laughed at the very first gag in the film, within the first 30 seconds or so. I had a great big sigh of relief at that!
“There were some industry professionals who we invited to the premiere as well, who seemed to really enjoy it, as well.
“I kind of wanted an excuse to come back (to North Wales) anyway, but it was so much fun filming there.
“We’re hoping that it will have a really good festival run, and that people around the country will get to see it.”
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