THE APEX TIMES
Celyn Jones brings Henry Paget to the screen in Pride Month release “Madfabulous,” drawing crowds in North Wales
The director discusses filming and setting the Welsh Pride Month movie in Bangor, including the aim of “bringing to life” the story of Henry Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, through the character’s flamboyant, tragic reputation.
“Madfabulous,” a Welsh Pride Month film directed by Celyn Jones, opened in North Wales drawing audiences to cinemas in Bangor, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter on June 29, 2026. The film, positioned around Welsh Pride Month, centers on Henry Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, and frames his life through the lens of flamboyance and tragedy, with Jones saying the project is about more than a single cultural moment.
Jones, who stars in the creative lead role as director for the production, spoke about the film’s goal to “bring the flamboyant, tragic” Henry Paget back to life on screen. In the account, Jones describes the work as part of a broader cultural effort rather than a one-off event, emphasizing that the film’s intent is sustained representation. The report quotes Jones saying, “It’s not a moment, it’s a movement,” describing how the project connects Pride Month to ongoing public conversation.
The Hollywood Reporter report also links the film to the local setting of North Wales. Jones’ approach, according to the article, places the story in a Welsh context and ties the release to the region’s Pride Month programming. Bangor, the report says, is among the locations where audiences have been turning out for the screening, indicating that the release is drawing notice beyond a limited art-house run.
The film’s cast and portrayal of Paget are part of the release’s appeal in the reporting. The Hollywood Reporter piece references Callum Scott Howells in connection with the project, describing how the actor’s role helps carry the character’s distinctive personality and the arc of his public reputation. Jones’ remarks in the report frame the casting and performance as essential to turning Paget’s historical notoriety into a comprehensible emotional story for modern audiences.
In the report, Jones characterizes Henry Paget as an immediately recognizable figure, while also asserting that the film focuses on the human dimensions of his life. The article portrays the project as an attempt to balance spectacle and vulnerability, highlighting how Paget’s identity and story can be understood within a contemporary framework of visibility and dignity.
The publication date and reporting suggest that “Madfabulous” is being treated as an event release for Welsh Pride Month, with audience turnout in Bangor serving as the most concrete measure described. The next steps for the film are likely to track its distribution pattern across additional Welsh venues and cinema weeks, but the current reporting primarily documents the North Wales launch moment and Jones’ stated aims for representation.
Because the available record centers on the June 29 profile, some details about box office totals, the precise number of screenings, and the film’s full release schedule are not specified in the supplied account. For publication, any additional claims about runtime, ratings, or further venues should be confirmed against distributor announcements or cinema listings. The account does, however, provide a clear description of the film’s creative premise and its Pride Month positioning in North Wales.
Why It Matters
- The Pride Month timing places “Madfabulous” within a public calendar of visibility and community-focused cultural programming in Wales.
- The report’s emphasis on local audience turnout in Bangor suggests the film is being marketed as an event within the region, not only as a niche or traveling screening.
- By centering a historical Welsh figure, the release contributes to how Welsh audiences are using contemporary media to revisit identity and representation.
- If the film continues to book additional Welsh venues, it may affect regional cinema schedules and local arts promotion tied to Pride Month programming.
Sources
Key Facts
- “Madfabulous” is a Welsh Pride Month film directed by Celyn Jones, with the June 29, 2026 profile published by The Hollywood Reporter.
- The film centers on Henry Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, described in the report as flamboyant and tragic.
- Jones says the project is intended as part of a broader cultural effort, quoting “It’s not a moment, it’s a movement.”
- The report says the release is drawing audiences to cinemas in Bangor, in North Wales.
- The Hollywood Reporter connects the film to Callum Scott Howells in its discussion of the production and portrayal of the central character.