Last week saw the official launch of Mor Media Charity - our new name for the umbrella charity organisation responsible for the Cornwall Film Festival. The fun launch event was held at the Princess Pavilions and Gyllyngdune Gardens, and attended by film and media professionals, the Falmouth mayor, Steve Eva, as well as local business owners. Louise Fox, Mor Media Charity director, announced that the Princess Pavilions will be the venue for this year’s 20th ‘Platinom’ (Cornish for Platinum) edition of the festival, a week long event from 15th - 21st November. Reflecting on 20 years of the Cornwall Film Festival, Louise said "I'd like to think that we've made a difference in the whole 20 years, I've certainly seen in my time people going into production or going into great jobs. The 20-year legacy of the Cornwall Film Festival has made a lasting impact. I think we've always been more than a film festival." Mor Media Charity Director, Louise Fox, Mor Media Charity launch, 20th August, Princess Pavilions. Photo Credit: @juliaannawrzesinska & @jw.photolens The Princess Pavilions has recently reopened after a period of closure during the pandemic, and is now in the hands of the town council and people of Falmouth. Mor Media Charity are working closely with director of cultural services, Henrietta Boex, to get the Pavilions ‘match fit’ for festival events. Louise said “There’s a lot of work to do but we have a lot of support from the community, and, together, we hope to create a truly great entertainment venue for the people of Falmouth, owned by the people of Falmouth. The week-long Cornwall Film Festival will feature curated screenings with film+ activity features, and emerging filmmaking voices that demonstrate new approaches and originality to the screen. Diversity sits at the heart of the 2021 programme. Expect: GALAS | SCREEN HERITAGE & ARCHIVE | DOCUMENTARIES | BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH FILMMAKERS | THRILL | FROM EUROPE WITH LOVE | WONDERFUL WORLD | SHORT FILMS This year we’ll also introduce Digital Futures, a new programme of creative media projects designed to equip young people and create digital citizens for the future, with an emphasis on health, wellbeing and creativity, drawing from and inspired by the moving image. Mor Media Charity isn’t just focussing on the festival - we’re currently offering a free creative writing programme for Cornish residents, as well as having a new community project in production - Community Stories Cornwall, the follow up to our hugely successful Coronavirus Stories, Cornwall project - a social record of people living in Cornwall during Covid now on it’s way to the British Library. Mor Media Charity Trustees Ben Fullman and Rachel Haddy, Mor Media Charity launch, 20th August, Princess Pavilions. Photo Credit: @juliaannawrzesinska & @jw.photolens Falmouth Town Mayor, Steve Eva, Mor Media Charity launch, 20th August, Princess Pavilions. Photo Credit: @juliaannawrzesinska & @jw.photolens ​

From its part in an Oscar nomination to learning opportunities for people at all levels in the creative world, Mor Media Charity, formerl y the Cornwall Film Festival, is proving to be a real hit. The charity is rebranding to reflect the full range of work it now carries out across the creative community in Cornwall and beyond, including public workshops and internships, although the festival itself will remain a vital part of its work. Mor Media has been an entry point into the media industry for many, including Joshua James Richardson, a previous winner of the film festival, who earlier this year received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography for his work on Nomadland. Former Cornwall Film Festival volunteer and intern Michael Roberts, who is now xxx said: “Without the nurturing of CFF executive director Louise Fox and the whole team, my career would not be in the position it is today.” He added: “Mor Media has developed countless community networking sessions and training opportunities to help the industry thrive. Cornwall’s film and media industry is undoubtedly more vibrant, educated and flourishing thanks to the group’s work.” Meanwhile, previous festival winner and volunteer Lawrence Donoghue said: “In 2019, I had my short film Flying Lessons screened and was lucky enough to be presented with a writing award. It was a huge boost to my confidence and felt like my voice had a place on the big screen.” As well as helping those working in the industry, Mor Media has also provided learning opportunities for everyone through education and workshops. Its recent Get Creative! Workshops, which included poetry and novel writing, received positive feedback, with one participant saying: “It was relaxed, fun and informative and there was no pressure to be anything other than yourself and take away what you needed to from it all. “ Another described the workshop as “phenomenal” and “life-changing!” The rebranded charity aims to keep building on the passion for creative work in the community through a series of programmes and events, as well as helping to improve career prospects and deepen people’s understanding of the media industry. Mor Media also plans to bring the Cornish community together in a special project called Community Stories Cornwall, an audio-visual record of the experiences of local people throughout the coronavirus pandemic.