Her love for film started early: “I really fell in love with film criticism when I was about 11,” she says, and when the pandemic hit in 2020, lockdown gave her the perfect chance to watch more movies. “I was like, you know what, I’m just gonna try and watch more films. I was 14 at the time – the best age you could ever watch Donnie Darko.” “For a while, it was just little 15-year-old me in my bedroom,” she recalls on starting to create film content. But in early 2021, one video suddenly went viral: “I had about 2,000 followers, then one video got a million views, and I gained like 16,000 followers overnight. It was crazy.” Since then, her platform has grown significantly, and by 2023, when balancing uni and a part-time job, she decided to take a leap: “Within five months, I quit my job, and now […] do content creation pretty much full-time.”
It's a space for people like me.
The North East often flies under the radar when it comes to the creative sector and film culture, but as Cerys explains, there is a vibrant community here. “I’ve joined the North East Film Club,” she says. “We do meetups, monthly quizzes at the Tyneside Cinema, and everyone just kind of made friends through that.” For Cerys, it’s a space “for people like me” to watch films, share meals, and build connections. “I always tell people to go to the Tyneside Cinema,” she adds. “They have a really great program. It’s a phenomenal program for an independent, that is the go-to place.” Local cinemas like Tyneside are such an important part of the film scene here, and it’s up to us to keep them going by supporting what they do.
Despite the strong sense of community in the North East, “it feels like everything is in London” she admits. “It’s so expensive… I love London, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t want to be spending like £250 just to go there.” For many creatives and film lovers based up north, the cost and concentration of events, premieres, and networking opportunities in London means that local film opportunities are often less visible.
However, Cerys made it clear that there are big things coming for the North East, noting “we’ve just had 28 Years Later, which was massive […] slowly but surely, things are coming together up north.” A major production choosing to film in Northumberland depicts how the region has the talent to support big projects in the future, and for local filmmakers, actors, and crew, it opens doors and raises awareness of what is possible here.
Cerys went on to discuss how her content aims to get her followers to back into cinemas, especially in the North East. “I want to get as many people to as many films as possible,” she explains, “streaming is convenient, but you can’t get a brand-new film anywhere else.” For Cerys and for many other film lovers, there is something irreplaceable about seeing a film on the big screen.
Cinema brings people together in a way that’s really special.
“There’s something magical about watching a film with a room full of people, you laugh louder, you gasp together, you feel every moment more intensely. It’s not just about the film itself, but about sharing that experience with others. That’s something streaming at home can never replace […] cinema brings people together in a way that’s really special. It’s a space where stories come alive, and where communities can connect and feel seen. That’s why it’s so important to keep supporting local cinemas, especially here in the North East.”
She points to the success of Sinners, a film which released this year that “completely blew up at the box office purely through word of mouth.” Despite its unassuming trailer, the film sold out cinemas and created a buzz because audiences genuinely connected with it. “You can’t get that experience at home,” she says. “People really crave that communal watching experience, the human aspect of sitting together in a cinema and feeling those emotions […] If I can get people to see more films, especially good ones, that’s what I want.”
It is great to see how passionate Cerys is about getting people back into cinemas, especially local ones such as Tyneside. Without cinema, it’s not just the magic of the big screen that disappears; it’s jobs, community spaces, and opportunities for local talent too. Her love for film really shines through, and it’s that kind of energy and passion that can help keep cinema culture alive in the North East.
Reflecting on her role as a film critic and a content creator, Cerys admitted that she didn’t always grasp the impact that sharing her opinions online could have. “For a while, I was quite harsh, I definitely went back and privated a few videos because I didn’t think about what I was posting.” Over time, engaging with filmmakers and industry insiders has shifted her perspective. “People who make films respect critics, but they don’t respect when critics just slate a film for no reason […] I basically stopped being a generational hater, I woke up one morning and was like, I’m gonna stop being a hater.” Now, she focuses on uplifting films she loves, hoping to encourage audiences to get back into cinema and support the film industry.
When asked what advice she’d give to anyone hoping to become a film influencer, Cerys suggested that “consistency is key. There’s no such thing as an overnight success. People might think that, but it’s not true.” For anyone looking to turn their passion for film into content, she her advice emphasises passion and authenticity. “Go into it because you enjoy it, not for fame. Try to build community, because that’s what matters.”
Say something interesting and just put it out there.
She added “the first video you make probably won’t be very good. That’s fine. It’s a skill you build […] You can still go to amazing events and work with brilliant brands without hundreds of thousands of followers. Film companies don’t care as much as people think.” Her final words were “Be kind. Be supportive. Comment on other people’s videos. Don’t beef anyone, it’s not quirky, it’s not cute. Say something interesting and just put it out there.”
Cerys is proof that passion, persistence, and a love for storytelling can go a long way in the journey to being a full-time content creator and film-critic. As the North East’s creative scene continues to grow, voices like hers are helping to shape a more inclusive and local film landscape.
Cerys is incredibly inspiring!
she’s one of my inspirations and her content is so much fun and i learn something new everyday!