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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.

Why the BBC’s failure to edit the BAFTA slur highlights a need for better education and production protocols. BAFTA judge Jonte Richardson has announced his resignation following Sunday evening's controversial events during the awards ceremony. In a sharp critique of the incident, Richardson described the events during Sunday night’s awards ceremony as "utterly unforgivable."  Michael B Jordan & Delroy Lindo at the BAFTAs 2026 The Incident   The controversy arose during the presentation of an award by actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. During their time on stage, Tourette's syndrome campaigner John Davidson vocalised a racist slur. While both actors appeared visibly shaken by the outburst, they remained professional and continued with the presentation.  John Davidson is a prominent Tourette syndrome activist whose life story was adapted into an inspirational film, I SWEAR, highlighting the hardships associated with the condition. Following the ceremony, Davidson expressed his distress over the event: “I am deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning. I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so.” Questions of Editorial Oversight   John Davidson at the BAFTAS 2026 Davidson has worked alongside the BBC on multiple occasions. He suggested that the broadcaster should have been better prepared for the nature of his condition to prevent such tics from being broadcast.  Davidson remembered “there was a microphone just in front of me, and with hindsight I have to question whether this was wise, so close to where I was seated.”  Davidson continued, “ I want people to know and understand that my tics have absolutely nothing to do with what I think, feel or believe. It's an involuntary neurological misfire. My tics are not an intention, not a choice and not a reflection of my values.” A Pattern of Scrutiny    This follows previous criticism of the BBC’s management, when the broadcaster faced backlash over the performance by rapper Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, which contained controversial language, and remained on iPlayer for several hours after the live set. The BAFTA incident has placed the BBC under renewed scrutiny. Despite assurances that the ceremony would be edited to remove profanity before airing, the inclusion of the slur has sparked a heated debate regarding broadcaster accountability and the sensitivity required when filming individuals with involuntary conditions.  Key Takeaways Ultimately, accountability for this oversight lies with the BBC. While the broadcaster works diligently to champion diverse and inclusive spaces, more robust measures should have been implemented, not only to prevent the slur from reaching the airwaves but to ensure that both the audience and the presenters were adequately briefed beforehand. For many, encountering the complexities of Tourette syndrome can be a profound shock, particularly when tics involve involuntary vulgar language. While this production failure shouldn't discredit the BBC’s broader commitment to representation, it highlights a clear need for improved protocols. The delay in rectifying the digital broadcast remains a significant concern, yet it also presents a vital opportunity for us all to better educate ourselves on the realities of Tourette syndrome and foster a deeper understanding of the disability. Written by Angelique Cloete

As Director of Cornwall Film Festival, delivered by Mor Media Charity, I’m writing this to raise awareness of a quiet but serious issue facing the UK’s cultural landscape: independent cinemas have been excluded from the Government’s recent £1.5 billion investment in culture . Like many in the sector, we welcome this significant investment and recognise its potential to support sustainable cultural organisations that contribute to economic growth, wellbeing and social cohesion. But the absence of cinemas, particularly independent and community-facing cinema, is deeply worrying. Top left: Merlin Flora Cinema, Helston, The Poly Falmouth, WTW Lighthouse cinema, Newquay. Middle row, Mike Leigh & Mark Kermode at Cornwall Film Festival, the Merlin Savoy cinema, Penzance. Bottom left Merlin Regal Redruth, WTW The Regal Wadgebridge, Newlyn Filmhouse Cinemas are a vital part of the cultural infrastructure Cornwall Film Festival works year-round with independent cinemas and community screening venues across Cornwall, where cinema is often the most accessible cultural experience available locally. In a geographically dispersed county, these spaces are not a luxury; they are essential. Through our partnerships, we: bring UK and international film & filmmakers to Cornwall support early-career filmmakers deliver education and outreach programmes for young people create shared cultural experiences that strengthen community connection Independent cinemas sit at the heart of this ecosystem. They act as cultural anchors, support local economies, nurture creative talent and provide inclusive, affordable access to culture. A sector at risk We welcome the investment but urge the Government to reconsider the exclusion of cinemas from capital funding. Our national partners at the Independent Cinema Office provide this stark evidence: 31% of independent cinemas  do not believe they can remain operational without access to capital funding within the next 3–5 years A further 28% are unsure For many, there is currently no viable route to National Lottery or public capital investment This is not a marginal issue; it’s an existential one. Why this matters in places like Cornwall In regions such as Cornwall, cinemas play a disproportionate role in sustaining cultural life, supporting local creative industries and tackling rural isolation. Treating cinemas differently from museums, libraries, arts venues and heritage buildings risks undermining the long-term resilience of our cultural infrastructure. If we believe culture should be accessible to everyone, not just those in major cities, and cinemas must be recognised as part of that essential fabric. A call for change Today, I have written to Jayne Kirkham , MP for Penryn & Falmouth, asking her to raise this issue with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport . I have also written to Lisa Nandy , Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, urging her to support the inclusion of independent cinemas within future cultural capital funding programmes. Independent cinemas deserve to be supported on an equal footing with other cultural institutions, not as an afterthought, but as a cornerstone of cultural life. If we allow these spaces to disappear, we don’t just lose screens. We lose places of gathering, discovery, learning and shared experience. And once they’re gone, rebuilding them will be far harder and far more costly than supporting them now. Louise Fox Director, Cornwall Film Festival Mor Media Charity

Acclaimed British feature Edge of Summer, directed by Lucy Cohen, returns to Cornwall this spring for a special regional cinema tour featuring exclusive director Q&As and selected cast appearances. Brought to you by Mor Media Charity EDGE OF SUMMER TOUR Director Q&A and Cast Appearances Across March and April Are you a venue interested in a screening ? Register your interest here > Merlin Savoy Cinema Penzance Wednesday 25 March > Book WTW White River Cinema St Austell Thursday 26 March > Book WTW Plaza Cinema, Truro Friday 27 March > Book Merlin Regal, Redruth Saturday 28 March > Book WTW Lighthouse Cinema, Newquay Wednesday 1st April, 5.30 pm Book The Poly, Falmouth Thursday 2 April > Book BOOK NOW BOOK NOW BOOK NOW BOOK NOW BOOK NOW BOOK NOW THE FILM EDGE OF SUMMER ACROSS CORNWALL Acclaimed British feature Edge of Summer, directed by Lucy Cohen, returns to Cornwall this spring for a special regional cinema tour featuring exclusive director Q&As and selected cast appearances. Set on the Cornish coast in the summer of 1991, Edge of Summer is a haunting coming-of-age drama about first love, grief and the moment childhood innocence fractures. The film premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival and marks Cohen’s fiction debut following her BAFTA nominated documentary work. Shot entirely on location across Cornwall, the film transforms the region’s coastline and historic tin mines into a powerful cinematic landscape rooted in folklore and emotional memory. United Kingdom/ 98 minutes/ Drama/ Thriller / English | CFF15 Film followed by a Q&A with the director + tallent BOOK TICKETS ABOVE DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHY LUCY COHEN Lucy Cohen is a London-based writer/director. After training as a print journalist, she worked in documentary television for 15 years, making programmes for the BBC and Channel 4. Her move to independent film began in 2015 with the short, LIFE IN FILM, supported by the BFI National Film Archive’s ‘Luminous’ campaign. In 2017, her debut feature, KINGDOM OF US, was nominated for a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut, a BIFA and won the Grierson award for Best Documentary at London Film Festival. Produced by Julia Nottingham, it was acquired worldwide by Netflix. In 2017 she was selected for Guiding Lights, the UK film industry’s leading mentorship programme where she was mentored by Andrew Haigh. In 2018, she was named a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit and in 2019 one of Campaign’s Top 10 Directors for her commercial work. EDGE OF SUMMER is Lucy’s debut fiction feature and was part of the BFI and British Council’s Cannes Great8 Showcase in 2023. Her second feature is in development with Film4. She is represented for Film and Television by Casarotto Ramsay and Associates. THE CAST FLORA HYLTON & JOEL SEFTON-IONGI are EVIE and ADAM Flora and Joel are both unknown actors. Flora is from Bath and Joel was cast locally in Cornwall. Edge of Summer is their debut feature. In casting, we were struck by Flora’s subtlety and the layers behind her performance. You could see within her both the ‘woman’ and the ‘child’. This was really wonderful to capture, especially in the interplay with her on-screen mother. It’s not easy to find a 12-year-old boy who is open to showing vulnerability. Joel was an outstanding listener and really connected to his character. He has such an open heart, kind soul and willingness to give everything, he was a joy to work with said The Director SKYER DENNETT is DAWN Skyer is also from Cornwall and has never acted before. She came to an audition when her brother was trying out for Adam. It can be tricky to find a child so young who doesn’t want to ‘perform’ in a very demonstrative way. Skyer has so much wisdom, wit and thoughtfulness, bringing so much of her totally authentic self to Dawn. JOSIE WALKER is YVONNE Josie’s recent film work includes BELFAST (dir Kenneth Branagh) and THE WONDER (dir Sebastián Lelio) as well as THIS IS GOING TO HURT for BBC. As a theatre actress Josie has been nominated for 3 Laurence Olivier Awards, most recently for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in ‘THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE’ at The National Theatre NICHOLA BURLEY is DEBBIE Nichola most recently wrapped on PROTECTION (ITV) and will next be seen in a leading role in DANCE SCHOOL (C4). Her previous TV credits include THE GOLD (BBC/Paramount+), hit drama BEHIND HER EYES (Netflix) and Sean Durkin’s award winning SOUTHCLIFFE (C4). Nichola’s extensive film credits include playing the lead in the critically acclaimed Fyzal Boulifa’s LYNN AND LUCY, Andrea Arnold’s WUTHERING HEIGHTS and Olly Blackburn’s cult hit DONKEY PUNCH. STEFFAN RHODRI is TONY Steffan is a Welsh Actor best known for his role in GAVIN & STACEY (BBC) as well as his recent role in Amazon’s acclaimed series HOUSE OF DRAGON. His PREVIOUS film credits include HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 (2010) and WONDER WOMAN. As a theatre actor his most recent credits include THIS HOUSE (The Garrick Theatre), KILLER JOE (Trafalgar Studios) and THE HAIRY APE (The Old Vic). EDWARD ROWE is PETE Edward is a Cornish Actor best known for his lead role in Bafta winning film BAIT (dir Mark Jenkin). The film won BAFTAs for Best British Film and Outstanding debut in 2020 and was nominated for several BIFIAs the same year. His more recent TV credits include HOUSE OF DRAGON (Amazon) and THE WITCHER (Netflix). THE 90 S It was important for me to set the film in the early 90s. Not only was I Evie and Adam’s age, but in a pre-digital era, life as a child was so different. Holidays were spent fighting the boredom and finding new adventures, children had their secret lives and parents had theirs. When questions and uncertainty struck, there was nowhere to go for answers, you shouted into the void, you had to work it out yourself. There was something so wonderful in this, the place imagination played self-discovery, the learning that came in the silence and the boredom, the endless hours to reflect. I knew I wanted to create a feeling of nostalgia and melancholy in the film, as innocence is lost and childhood itself becomes a ghost. However, I never wanted to go strongly ‘period’. We have a sense it is roughly 80s or 90s, but it doesn’t wear it on its sleeve. I think this timelessness is so important to creating a world that opens up and lets you and your own memories in. The Director STORIES FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD - OUR FUNDERS & PARTNERS

Cornwall Film Festival 2025 Black Tide Environmental Short films STEP INTO THE FRAME AND EXPERIENCE STORIES FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE Cornwall Film Festival is a global platform inviting filmmakers from every corner of the world to showcase bold, captivating and innovative stories. BOOK TICKETS 11 Best International Shorts Copy of Best International Shorts Best of the Best CFF Awards Screen Stars Student Shorts Best of the West SW Regional Shorts 20 Under 25 Best Cornish Shorts Experimental Videos Press Blog Merch Store TOO MUCH: MELODRAMA ON FILM Talks CFF 25 Industry 2025 FAQ's & Access 2025 Diary & Tickets 2025 Black Tide In Focus 2025 Selected films 2025 Short Films home 2025 QuckCut 90sec ENVIRONMENTAL ROCK POOL DAN MCKAY, ADAM RADAGE, TOM BOSHER In ROCK POOL, we invite the viewer into a space of quiet encounters, one that asks for attention, rewards stillness, and hopefully awakens a sense of awe for the hidden rhythms of the life all around us. OIL SPILL LOUIS HELIBRONN An observational film about the clean up of an oil spill in Huntington Beach California in 2021. IMMERSIVE ROHAN THOMAS Immersive is a hybrid science documentary-animation created by two friends driven by a lifelong curiosity and love for the ocean and their shared desire to reveal its mysterious beauty. The film takes us on an exploration of the depths of the ocean, far below the surface, to better understand how the complex systems at the bottom of the ocean regulate the energy transfers that keep the ocean healthy and life on our planet. BLACK TIDE CLARE TAVERNOR A new piece of work created for the Film Festival inspired by archive material and first person accounts from the SS Torrey Canyon disaster. Black Tide is an evening of elemental cinema — a powerful collection of films that delve into our deep and complex relationship with the ocean, this special programme invites audiences to surrender to the sea’s mysteries: its beauty, its resilience, and its fragility in the face of human ambition. SHORTS ENTER Our programme of shorts features the most innovative and adventurous ideas from filmmakers whose short films manifest stylistic boldness, strength of form, and the ambition to use the medium in a way that resists cliché. Shorts to feature films, the Cornwall Film Festival is a British Independent Film Awards Qualifing festival. ENTER NOW WHAT'S ON Lifelong Learning week 3–7th November 2025 Creative Careers Month November Community week 10-16th November 2025 2025 IntoFilm Schools Festival 11-28th November BFI Blockbuster season Too Much A Season Of Melodrama Previews week at The Poly Falmouth 17th - 22nd November 2025 STORIES FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD - OUR FUNDERS & PARTNERS

Cornwall Film Festival 2024 Best Narrative and Non-Narrative Student Short Films Film Programme 2024 Talks Festival flyer Industry VR & AR Best Student Short Films Nov 20, 2024 5:00 PM @ The Poly Tickets Films from around the globe, screening at this years edition of Cornwall Film Festival Dragfox Directed by Lisa Ott Sam's search for identity gets interrupted by a mysterious neighbourhood fox. Together they embark on a magical journey to the attic to discover the surprising things they might have in common, and how to celebrate the ways in which they differ. The Farm Directed by Leo Villares The Farm is a dark comedy set in an idyllic retreat in Brazil. Calvin and Hanna are an English couple who come to the Farm expecting rest and relaxation, in the hopes that this will get them through a rocky patch in their relationship. When they meet Bernardo, the eccentric guru of the Farm, they learn that the 'resort' is actually an experimental psychotherapy centre. To protect his girlfriend and his sanity from the meddling guru, Calvin will have to dive head-first into the hippy free-for-all. SIN EATER by Hogarth Coote Based on the real practice of sin-eating. A Sin-eater was a historical occupation in 16-19th century England, Wales and Scotland where individuals were called to funerals to consume a meal in front of the deceased. By eating the food, they symbolically absorbed the deceased’s sins, allowing the dead to be absolved and enter heaven. Desync Directed by Minerva Marie Navasca A young Filipina filmmaker attempts to overwrite a painful memory of her mother with a perfect narrative. Polymorphia Directed by Henry Fish After an accident leaves his face entirely bandaged, a neurotic office worker undergoes an identity crisis. We Beg To Differ Directed by Thomas Purdy In the underground world of diffing, a community finds solace in their passion, as they navigate personal struggles and challenges both on and off the road. Edges Directed by Júlia Faria, Giulia Levy An afternoon in the pool was supposed to be just a chill hangout for 16 year-old Laura, but when she runs into her mother's old friend and her son Marco, their interaction makes her circle the edges of what is or is not considered abusive. Nostalgia Directed by Boyuan Li In the third year of the pandemic, Xiaoxue finally comes back to her long-lost hometown after quarantine. The city has grown increasingly prosperous, its streets bathed in the glow of neon lights. In contrast, her grandmother's old neighborhood appears deserted, every corner bearing the mark of time's passage, devoid of the lively and joyous atmosphere of Xiaoxue's childhood. Before she dwells on her sadness, a power outage takes her back to the familiar memories of her childhood. It is then that Xiaoxue realizes that everything has never been too far away. Kill Joy Directed by Leon Bethermin A tense psychological thriller about an ominous man with a passion for killing. Anna McGee's Wild Ride Directed by Ava Bounds A teenager on the cusp of adulthood flies through her entire future while stuck in a traffic jam. Floaters Directed by Mocong Yuan A woman’s life has been turned upside down ever since she noticed those strange floating strings in her sight.