WICKED Wales International Youth Film Festival returns to Rhyl this week to celebrate young filmmakers in Wales and across the world. 

Featuring masterclass workshops and Q&As for over 14s with TV news journalist Mike Griffiths and ITV Cymru's  Carole Green, Podcast recordings, film screenings and the newly-introduced gaming event - the festival promises three days of inspiration and appreciation of all things media and storytelling.

It all begins on Thursday, October 17 at Wicked Wales Studios, Unit 1, Bridge Business Park with a selection of short international film screenings and the recording of the Join the Conversation podcast. After that it's the first of Mike's workshops and the official opening of the festival. 

Friday will see free screenings for schools and the wider community, more workshops with Mike and podcasting before an afternoon and evening of screenings, including the premiere of Tir Morfa, a Very Special Tale.

Saturday will round things off with the final screenings and the awards ceremony, where submitted films from all over the world will be judged in three categories - animation, fiction and documentary, across four age groups - 6-12, 13-18, 19-26 and 27-32.

All will be hoping they can land the coveted Jury Prize or Red Dragon Award this year.

The Wicked Wales International Youth Film Festival Awards will be streamed live on Youtube and all shortlisted videos will be available there throughout the festival and for seven days afterwards for those who want to watch them at their own convenience.

"Although our festival is smaller this year we did receive over 100 short films made by young people from 17 countries," said Festival Director Rhiannon Wyn Hughes. 

"Our priority has been to open our new studios in Rhyl which we hope to make an announcement on soon. But we have still put together a fantastic programme of events for young filmmakers, storytellers and watchers and we are very excited about this year's line-up."