Effi o Blaenau
| Effi o Blaenau | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Marc Evans |
| Screenplay by | Branwen Cennard |
| Based on | |
| Produced by | Branwen Cennard |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Eira Wyn Jones |
| Edited by | Elen Pierce Lewis |
| Music by |
|
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | MetFilm Distribution |
Release dates |
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| Country | Wales |
| Language | Welsh |
Effi o Blaenau is a 2026 Welsh drama film directed by Marc Evans from a screenplay by Branwen Cennard. It is an adaptation of the monodrama play Iphigenia in Splott by Gary Owen.
The film premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival on 3 March 2026, and was released in the United Kingdom on 19 June 2026.
Cast
- Leisa Gwenllian as Effi
- Tom Rhys Harries as Lee
- Nel Rhys Lewis as Leanne
- Owen Alun as Kev
- Carys Gwilym
- Gavin Lee Lewis as Pete Desford
Production
In January 2026, a Welsh-language Welsh drama film by filmmaker Marc Evans was selected to screen at the Glasgow Film Festival, adapted by Branwen Cennard from the monodrama play Iphigenia in Splott by Gary Owen. Leisa Gwenllian, Tom Rhys Harries, Nel Rhys Lewis, Owen Alun, Carys Gwilym, and Gavin Lee Lewis rounded out the cast.[1] The 2026 edition of the festival highlighted Gaelic and Welsh-language films, which included Effi o Blaenau.[2]
The film had had a production budget of £2.2 million, partly funded by Creative Wales and S4C.[3]
Release
Effi o Blaenau premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival on 3 March 2026,[4] and was released with subtitles in the United Kingdom on 19 June 2026 to cinemas in England, Wales and Scotland.[5] It received several very positive reviews.[6]
Despite a limited opening on 30 screens, the film had the biggest opening weekend of any Welsh-language film[7]; beating the previous record holder Gwledd. It took £30,000 at the UK box office on its opening weekend, compared to Gwledd's £28,000, despite initially appearing on 47 fewer screens[8]. By 3 August 2026 it had taken £215,000 across 125 venues in the UK and Ireland, a record for a Welsh-language film to that date.[3]
References
- ↑ Lodderhouse, Diana (21 January 2026). "Glasgow Film Festival Unveils 2026 Lineup With James McAvoy's 'California Schemin', Charli XCX Starrer 'Erupcja' & Scottish Pic 'Molly Vs The Machines'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Szalai, George (27 February 2026). "Gaelic and Welsh Films Put Glasgow Fest Spotlight on Minority Languages in the U.K." The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- 1 2 Tabbara, Mona. "How 'Effi o Blaenau' broke records for Welsh-language cinema: "It's emboldened us"". Screen Daily. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Glasgow Film Festival Schedule" (PDF). Glasgow Film Festival. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Billington, Alex (12 May 2026). "Welsh-Language Film 'Effi o Blaenau' Trailer Starring Leisa Gwenllian". First Showing. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Jones, Jennifer. "Tragedy meets 'social realism' in Welsh-language film hailed a 'sensation'". BBC News. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ ""Effi o Blaenau" breaks records - Biggest Opening Ever at UK Box Office for a Welsh Language Film | Press | S4C". www.s4c.cymru. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ "Effi o Blaenau yn torri record ffilm Gymraeg ar 31 sgrin yn unig". Golwg360 (in Welsh). 23 June 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.