A talented young filmmaker from Conwy and a dedicated film mentor from Gwynedd are set to represent Wales at one of the UK’s most prestigious celebrations of young filmmaking talent.

Araminta Stuart, 17, from Conwy, and Ben Gregory from Penygroes are among five Welsh nominees recognised in the Into Film Awards 2026, with both invited to attend the red-carpet ceremony at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London on Tuesday, June 16.

The annual awards celebrate the creativity, talent and achievements of young filmmakers and film educators across the UK. This year’s competition attracted a record-breaking 400 submissions, making the selection process tougher than ever.

Araminta has been named one of three recipients of the coveted Ones to Watch award, which recognises some of the most promising young filmmaking talent in the country.

Her passion for filmmaking began with creating highlight reels for her church before developing into a growing portfolio of creative work. Since the age of 14, she has worked alongside her father at Rocketland Ltd, gaining hands-on experience in scriptwriting, camera work, editing and production.

Her commitment to the craft has also seen her secure freelance work editing social media content, filming weddings and concerts, and undertaking photography projects while continuing her studies.

Into Film judges praised her determination to use filmmaking as a force for good, noting that her film Tipping Point won the Time for Action category at the Into Film Awards 2025. They described her as a young filmmaker with a clear ambition to use storytelling to help make the world a better place.

Also receiving national recognition is Ben Gregory, who has been named one of this year’s Filmmaking Champions.

Ben runs a film club through Yr Orsaf and Dyffryn Nantlle 2020, supporting young people in the rural communities of Dyffryn Nantlle, where opportunities to engage with Welsh-language filmmaking can be limited.

Since launching the club in 2013, he has helped more than 100 young people create 18 films, many of which have gone on to receive nominations and awards at festivals including the Into Film Awards, Zoom Cymru and the Pics Film Festival in Caernarfon.

His work has focused on creating sustainable opportunities for young people to develop creative skills through the Welsh language, while also encouraging greater participation by girls through dedicated all-female filmmaking groups.

The impact of his efforts has extended beyond the films themselves, with former participants going on to careers in film, television and media, and returning to mentor younger generations.

Wales is strongly represented across this year’s awards, with nominees also including The Letter, created by pupils from Caedraw Primary School in Merthyr Tydfil, nominated in the Best Animation: 5-11 category; The Mari Lwyd, produced by pupils from Llanharan Primary School, shortlisted for Best Documentary; and Snapped Strings, created by young people from Willows High School in Cardiff, nominated for Best Film: 12-15.

The winners will be announced during the star-studded ceremony in London’s Leicester Square, where leading figures from the film industry will join nominees from across the UK to celebrate the next generation of filmmaking talent.