Swansea Arena | Thursday, 6th March 2025
Celebrating Swansea’s Progress and People
On Thursday 6th March, I attended the 4th Region Conference & Exhibition at Swansea Arena. This event brings together the businesses, organisations, and individuals shaping the future of our county.
Whether you’re a local business leader, work in the public sector, or just live in Swansea and want to connect, the event offers a warm welcome.
A Vibrant Hub for Ideas and Innovation
The 4th Region Conference & Exhibition isn’t just a conference. It’s a showcase of what’s happening across Swansea.
Exhibitors came from industries ranging from tech to tourism. Talks covered everything from local development to digital creativity. The event continues to grow in both reach and relevance.
Last year, I attended the opening session and heard about exciting developments reshaping our city. This time, I focused on the afternoon session: Creative Swansea – Swansea on Screen.
Creative Swansea – Swansea on Screen
This session was part of the It’s Your Swansea Conference 2025. It brought together leading voices from Wales’ booming screen sector.
The panel included:
- Gabriella Ricci, Senior Production Executive, Bad Wolf
- Allison Dowzell, Screen Alliance Wales
- Ed Talfan, CEO & Creative Director, Severn Screen
Together, they explored Swansea’s growing role in the UK’s creative industry. The city is fast becoming a sought-after film and TV location.
Swansea on Screen: From Havoc to Dope Girls
Severn Screen has already made its mark here. It produced Havoc (Netflix), starring Tom Hardy, filmed on location in Swansea.
Bad Wolf recently wrapped Dope Girls, a bold new BBC period drama. It also used Swansea’s striking architecture and urban landscape.
The panel highlighted Swansea’s unique mix of coast, city, and countryside. It’s a dream setting for location scouts.
But there’s more than scenery. Swansea is building the infrastructure, skills, and support network to grow a thriving screen industry.
A Sneak Peek: Mr Burton – Coming April 2025
A highlight of the session was a preview of Mr Burton. This upcoming British biopic explores the early life of legendary Welsh actor Richard Burton.
Directed by Marc Evans and written by Tom Bullough and Josh Hyams, the film stars Harry Lawtey as Burton. Toby Jones and Lesley Manville also feature.
The film is set for release on 4th April 2025. It celebrates both Burton’s legacy and Wales’ storytelling tradition. It was inspiring to hear how Swansea helped bring this story to life.
Proud to Be Part of Swansea’s Story
This event reminded me how much pride and potential Swansea holds. From creative industries to community-driven projects, the 4th Region Conference captures a city in motion.
Swansea is rich in ambition and ready for more. Whether you’re shaping its future or simply cheering it on, this conference offers a powerful way to connect and be inspired.
Link to the event: https://www.4theregion.org.uk/its-your-swansea-2025/