SOUNDTRACK curator Mark Cousins announced the launch of the festival to an international audience at Cannes this Saturday, saying he was excited by and "loved working" on the first ever film and music festival for Wales.

Speaking at the Film Agency for Wales' 'Wales in Cannes' drinks party on Saturday night, filmmaker, author and broadcaster Cousins said: "There are far too many film festivals in the world today, so new ones have to be distinctive. SoundTrack is very much so. It's not so much about new movies, as the crucial creative relationship film has with music."

Cousins, who is renowned for having revived the Edinburgh Film Festival, is heading up the creative team for SOUNDTRACK.

The celebration in Cannes generated industry interest, and put the new festival onto the international film calendar.