Cornwall Film Festival Secures Three-Year Investment to Champion Accessible Cinema Across Cornwall

Mor Media Charity and Cornwall Film Festival have secured a three-year award from Film Hub South West's Film Exhibition Fund to support a major programme aimed at improving access and inclusion across cinema and film events in Cornwall.

The award, over three years (2026-2029), will support the delivery of the charity's Screen Access & Inclusion Programme, helping to remove barriers faced by disabled and underserved audiences and ensuring more people can experience film in welcoming and accessible environments.

The multi-year investment recognises Cornwall Film Festival's long-term commitment to accessibility, audience development and inclusive practice, and provides a foundation for continued innovation and sector leadership.

The funding panel described the proposal as one of the strongest applications received during the round, praising its strategic clarity, deep understanding of audiences and comprehensive approach to accessibility. Assessors highlighted that accessibility had been embedded throughout programme design, audience engagement, delivery and evaluation, rather than being treated as an additional consideration.

Louise Fox, Executive Director of Mor Media Charity and Festival Director of Cornwall Film Festival, said:

"We are delighted to receive this support from Film Hub South West. Accessibility has always been central to our work and this investment will allow us to build on the progress we have already made. The investment is a huge vote of confidence in our vision, accessibility is not something we add on, it sits at the heart of everything we do. 

This support will help us strengthen partnerships, develop new approaches and continue creating welcoming cinema experiences for audiences who are too often excluded from cultural provision."

The programme builds on several years of audience development work undertaken by Cornwall Film Festival under the umbrella of Mor Media Charity, including autism-friendly screenings, enhanced accessibility provision, community partnerships and targeted work with young people and underrepresented communities across Cornwall.

Neil Ramjee, Film Hub South West Community Manage, said:

“The assessment panel also recognised the strength of the charity's regional partnerships and the potential for the programme to deliver lasting impact beyond Cornwall, establishing a model of good practice that can inform the wider exhibition sector”

The BFI Film Audience Network invests £5.6m of National Lottery funding each year to expand access and encourage greater enjoyment of cinema by connecting audiences with great films - in venues, at events and online. We do this by supporting:

• leading exhibition organisations, including film festivals, to deliver culturally rich and nationally significant programmes and events on a year round basis

• projects which help exhibitors and distributors bring the best of UK and international cinema to audiences across the UK through events, distribution releases, multiplatform distribution proposals, touring film programmes and more

• initiatives that address under-representation and are innovating audience development