𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The industry here is having “a bit of a moment”, Gwenllian said with a laugh.

“A director that I worked with, Helen Jones, she always says, ‘It’s not a moment, it’s a movement’, and we have to make sure that this continues.

“What Effi has proven is that there’s an appetite out there for Welsh language films.”

She said it was exciting that filmmakers were starting to take Wales seriously, and that the Welsh language should not be viewed as a barrier.

“People are so happy to watch other films in other languages with subtitles, so why not do it with Welsh.”

Time Out said Effi o Blaenau was a cross between Greek tragedy and “British social realism”, calling Gwenllian “formidable”, while The Guardian described the film as a “sensation”.

Gwenllian has most recently been filming a dark comedy set in Swansea.

ITV and S4C series Santa Maria is about a “class divide” in the city, with both Welsh and English versions.

“What’s exciting about it is that even in the English language version, there’s going to be a lot of Welsh,” she said.

“I love working in Wales and playing Welsh characters, I think it’s where I feel most at home.”

Charles Gant, from Screen International, said Gwenllian was “a great talent discovery”.

“It’s rare that you see a rising young actor playing a role that is not just the lead in a film, but also in every moment of the film,” he said.

“Leisa is a phenomenal talent, and casting directors and filmmakers will be sitting up and taking notice. She has warmth and charisma and that magical but unquantifiable essence that confers star status,” he added.