Building Momentum: Mor Media’s Start to 2026

By Director Louise Fox

January – March 2026: A Strong Start to the Year

The first three months of 2026 have been an incredibly productive and forward-looking period for Mor Media Charity, as we continue to expand our work across film, heritage, education and talent development in Cornwall and beyond.

🎬 Film Exhibition & Touring

We have been progressing plans for the Edge of Summer regional tour, with screenings and director Q&As now being scheduled across the South West. Following a complex journey to bring the film to audiences, this marks a significant milestone in connecting a locally rooted Cornish story with wider audiences.

We are also laying the groundwork for a potential independent distribution strand, using this tour as a pilot model, with projected reach across screenings expected to exceed 350+ attendees

Alongside this, we have been developing a new Cornwall Film Festival website, making it easier for audiences, filmmakers and partners to access and engage with our year-round activity.

Supported 3 film tours with Q&As and marketing support, strengthening regional exhibition.

🏛️ Heritage & Community Projects

Our Black Tide: The Torrey Canyon Project continues to gather momentum as we mark the 60th anniversary of the 1967 oil spill.

• 25 oral histories recorded to date

• Recent engagement activity delivered across West Penwith, including work with U3A groups, libraries and the local lifeboat stations

• Ongoing partnerships with community organisations and heritage networks across Cornwall

• Development of a new project website, designed to communicate and share the archive more widely

  
  

This work is building a vital, community-led archive that centres lived experience and ensures Cornish voices are at the heart of this nationally significant story.

🎓 Talent Development & Industry Programmes

We have been advancing our Creative Challenge Fund programme, alongside wider talent development activity.

• Programme design completed with a target cohort of 14 participants across Cornwall, Devon and the wider UK

• 25 participants engaged through Story Labs exploring writing and visual storytelling

• 329 submissions received to date, with 95 pre-selector applications supporting our programming pipeline

• Launch of Quick Cut: The 90-Second Film Challenge, creating new entry points for emerging filmmakers

• Our activity engaged 6 freelancers, strengthening regional employment and the creative economy.

  
  

Together, these strands are strengthening pathways for creatives at all stages of their careers and supporting a more diverse and connected screen ecology.

🎓 Education & Audience Development

We have continued to deliver education and audience engagement activity across the region:

• Delivered the Into Film Spring Festival across 3 venues in Cornwall

• 2 animation workshops delivered for Animate Helston

• 5 screenings hosted, supporting access to independent film and shared viewing experiences

• Our team's attendance at the Berlin Film Festival, building industry connections and insight

  
  

This work supports the development of creative skills while building future audiences for independent cinema.

🏛️ Advocacy & Sector Leadership

We have been actively advocating for the independent cinema sector in response to the Government’s £1.5 billion investment in culture.

• Direct engagement with MP-level stakeholders

• Coordinating input from independent cinemas across Cornwall

• Active participation in the British Arts Festival Association, including conferences and sector meetings

• Contributing to national conversations on cultural infrastructure, access and regional equity

This work positions Mor Media as a strong regional voice within national policy discussions.

🤝 Partnerships, Funding & Growth

This quarter has also been a period of significant organisational growth and consolidation.

• Successful funding applications secured, supporting future programme delivery and sustainability

• Partnerships strengthened across 10+ organisations spanning exhibition, heritage, education and industry

• Continued expansion of our networks locally and nationally

• Strengthening Impact and Reach

  
  

These developments are helping to secure Mor Media’s long-term growth and impact.

Looking Ahead

As we move into spring, we are excited to bring these strands together through live events, screenings and new programme launches. With strong foundations in place, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of growth, connection and impact.

We are grateful to our partners, collaborators, team, audiences, Trustees and advisors, whose support makes this work possible, and we look forward to a well-earned pause before the next phase.