‘We Are Cardiff’ partnership brings ‘A Portrait of a City’ to life

The local community project 'We Are Cardiff,' best known for its community centred blog is set to produce an independent short film about life in the city of Cardiff, with support from Cardiff University.

Building on the popularity of its community written blog, the film aims to bring the lives of ordinary Cardiff people to life, while showing the alternative side that Cardiff has to offer. Cardiff University is pleased to announce support for the film and to help the project become a reality for 2013.

We Are Cardiff say: "Cardiff is a little city, but at the same time, it's a great one. We really love our city and think we have a great chance to make a film that showcases how wonderful, creative and supportive a place to live it can be."

Cardiff University is well known for its own diverse student population, and the benefits this brings to the Welsh capital. With a student population of 26,000 and c.6,000 staff, Cardiff University makes up a significant proportion of the community.

Helia Phoenix, the creator of the We Are Cardiff project and artistic director of the film explains the partnership. Helia said: "Having been a student at Cardiff University – both undergrad and postgrad – I've got first-hand experience of how important students are to this city, and how the city affects the lives of students who decide to come here to study – and those who never leave. Like me! We are overjoyed to be teaming up with Cardiff University to showcase what a wonderful city Cardiff is. We really believe in it and I hope we can show that off to the world."

Sandra Elliott, Director of Communications and International Relations said "I'm pleased to announce the University's involvement with the We Are Cardiff film project. The community is one of the many reasons that make our city such an attractive place to live and study for Cardiff students. Each year we welcome over 10,000 students to study at Cardiff University.  It will be wonderful to see the lives of our students featured as part of the community in this unique documentary."           

The short film hopes to cover a year in the life of the city and include events and activities as wide and varying as roller derby, Sŵn Festival or Cardiff Students' Union's festival of diversity. The University is working with the film producers to invite students to tell their Cardiff story and to capture footage of student events and activities that take place across campus.

The short film is scheduled for release this summer. Cardiff University will be hosting screenings across campus later this year and hosting the film across its own social media channels.

To keep up to date with the short film follow @WeAreCardiff and @CardiffUnion twitter, or check out the film's blog at:http://wearecardiffportraitofacity.wordpress.com/