JOHN HEFIN 1941-2012
03 December 2012
Numerous tributes have been made to John Hefin who died on 19 November 2012. These tributes are a testimony to the respect and admiration of many who recognised John’s contribution to a nation as a talented director and producer, and inspirational lecturer.
As a Teaching Fellow in Film at Aberystwyth University and subsequently visiting lecturer, numerous graduates and postgraduate students will have been touched by John’s presence in their academic lives and as they pursue their various careers.
John succeeded in inspiring students and colleagues alike through his teaching in which he interweaved a wide-ranging knowledge and a unique vision in the most compelling way imaginable. His respect and care for his own work engendered in his students a high expectation of their own.. Equally, he succeeded in showing the utmost humility in conveying his own admiration of the creative endeavours of others through words, sound and image.
Apart from his work as a teacher, John Hefin will be remembered for his own creative works. He received an MBE, an award from Cyfrwng for his contribution to the media in Wales; and in October 2012 a BAFTA Special Award for his outstanding contribution to Television Drama. As Head of Drama for BBC Wales, he was responsible for producing and directing numerous Welsh-language and English language films and TV series. These include ‘Pobol y Cwm’, ‘Grand Slam’, ‘The Life and Times of Davies Lloyd George’, ‘Bus to Bosworth’, ‘Rhandir Mwyn’, ‘Stafell Ddirgel’, ‘Penyberth’ and documentaries on Tom Paine and Kyffin Williams.
We extend our deepest sympathy to our colleague Elin Hefin and to Meg, Dylan and Lowri for their loss.
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