The sound and screen archive at the National Library of Wales have launched a new app, celebrating Welsh film-making history.

The app, Picturing our Past/Fframio’n Gorffennol, encapsulates the milestones of Welsh filmmaking history, which respected historian Dave Berry once referred to as ‘that fertile legacy’.

Picturing our Past will be launching online on 4 May at a special event featuring Cornish-Welsh musician Gwenno, feminist filmmaker Michele Ryan and punk rocker turned S4C presenter Aled Samuel. A specially recorded trailer narrated by Cerys Matthews will also be played during the event.

The National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive has played a crucial role in the preservation of Welsh films and sound recordings and has now backed the bi-lingual app that breaks out of a book’s boundary, creating a unique combination of words and moving image.

Award-winning director Colin Thomas and Moving Image Curator in the National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive Iola Baines have selected twenty-five film clips from Wales’ filmic past linked by text to tell a compelling story.

Colin said: “Whilst honouring outstanding examples of Welsh filmic achievements like Hedd Wyn, it will aim to ensure that unsung masterpieces like David and Un Nos Ola Leuad are not overlooked.

“And though acknowledging the patriotic popularity of films like Zulu, the app will also discuss films with a more controversial perspective on Wales – such as Twin Town and Human Traffic.”

Iola said: “Picturing Our Past will argue that films shot in Wales not only reflect Welsh history – unemployed miners scrabbling on a coal tip in Today We Live became a symbol of the Depression – but also affect Welsh history – for example the film The Citadel helped to further the momentum towards the creation of a National Health Service.”

Pedr ap Llwyd, chief executive and librarian of the National Library of Wales, said: “This new e-book is an exciting and innovative way of presenting the National Library’s rich audiovisual collections, offering users a fresh and contemporary pathway to engage with this inspiring heritage.

“I look forward greatly to our launch on 4th May, when our lively panel will undoubtedly whet appetites to download the app, with its fresh insights into Welsh cinema.”

This enhanced eBook was put together by Cardiff-based Thud Media with the support of the Books Councils of Wales and Film Hub Wales.

Hana Lewis, strategic manager at Film Hub Wales, said the app will “combine history with digital technology, giving audiences exciting new ways to discover Welsh films”.

Michele Ryan, Aled Samuel and Gwenno will be discussing whether there is a distinctive Welsh film legacy in the launch event in May. Visit the Library’s website for more details and to book a ticket.