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To celebrate last week's BAFTA Craft Awards, we're filling this week's #WhatToWatch list with some of the winners. A massive congrats to all of the cast and crew involved! We Are Lady Parts Nerdy PhD student Amina becomes the lead guitarist of Lady Parts, an all-female Muslim punk band on a mission to get a proper gig. The band's fierce singer Saira sees something in Amina the others can't. Torn between her strait-laced university friends and members of Lady Parts, Amina tries to find her voice. Available on All4 The Witcher In the fictional world of 'The Continent', The Witcher Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) and Princess Ciri find themselves linked by destiny. Geralt is a monster hunter, who struggles to find a place for himself in The Continent due to his mutation. Available on Netflix It's A Sin This five-part series is set from 1981 to 1991 in London. 18-year-olds, Ritchie, Colin and Roscoe leave their homes to begin a new life in the British capital. Quickly the group of friends find themselves in the middle of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Available to rent on Netflix. Landscapers Based on the true story of the murders of William and Patricia Wycherley in 1998, Landscapers has gained wide acclaim. Olivia Colman and David Thewlis star as Susan and Christopher Edwards, the couple who committed their murders, as their decade-old crimes were uncovered. Available on NowTV. Read more of our 'What To Watch' posts.

For this week's #whattowatch, we're talking writers on screen! Many of the Mor Media team are writers, and much of our community is too! Films that place writers at the forefront help us see ourselves and our personal struggles on screen. Watching talented people deny their gift and face self-doubt helps us battle our own issues with our craft. Little Women Greta Gerwig's adaption of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel places a bigger focus on Jo March's intense love of writing than previous versions and for that, we love it. Gerwig's iteration features an incredibly talented cast who brings each of the characters to life, especially Saoirse Ronan as the second eldest daughter, Jo March. The four March sisters each have their own dreams, but Jo is the one who arguably gets the closest to her own. Available on Netflix Misery A self-insert for writer Stephen King, romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car accident by kindly nurse Annie Wilkes. It turns out that Annie is Paul's number one fan, and she isn't happy about him ending his romance franchise, and killing off the protagonist. King has been open about the original novel being an exploration of his issues with substance abuse and demanding fans, concepts which are incredibly depicted by James Caan and (then) newcomer Kathy Bates. Available to rent on Amazon Prime and AppleTV Ruby Sparks Young writer Calvin found success in his early career but has since found himself struggling with inspiration and unlucky in love. One day he manages to overcome his writer's block when he simply brings his ideal woman to life from the page. He begins to struggle with his imagined idea of her as she begins to self-actualise and gain her independence. Available on DisneyPlus. Paterson Over the course of one week, quiet but observant bus driver Paterson pens poems in his notebook. He and his wife live in the town of Paterson, home to many famous authors and poets. He faces familiar self-doubt and ignores his wife's desire that he makes copies of his poems to share with others. Available on Amazon Prime. Interested in developing your own writing? Check out our wide variety of writing workshops. Or, maybe, read our previous 'What to Watch' posts.

Writing is... hard. Despite being considered a born gift, anybody that has tried to write a significant piece of writing (e.g a novel) knows that writing is hard. Of course, that's an understatement and not an example of my greatest writing. But, truly, I am clueless as to where the image of a natural-born writer came from. The stereotypical image of an author born with a natural gift is far removed from reality, but it doesn't mean that we can't all become fantastic best-selling novelists and poets. The great names in writing have all detailed just how long it took them to become proficient writers. Many prolific authors of the past and present have claimed to not see much strength in their own abilities. George R R Martin to this day is publicly self-patronising about his own writing process and progress. I've put together a small collection of books and other resources to aid you in your own writing journey. No matter your desired end product: be it an article, poetry or novel, these should all prove useful. Mor Media also offers a wide variety of writing courses to help you develop your craft, which you can browse here. On Writing - Stephen King It seems obvious that these days, Stephen King's name has become synonymous with both horror fiction and film. King's career has spanned five decades since the instant success of his debut novel Carrie. But did you know that he threw an initial draft in the trash, which his wife later recovered and encouraged him to publish? Sometimes we all need a bit of encouragement, which King provides in spades in 'On Writing'. It serves as part instructive manual and part memoir. In The Margins - Elena Ferrante The mysterious Italian novelist Elena Ferrante has been a favourite for years but reached new levels of fame with the recent release of Maggie Gyllenhaal's adaptation of her novel 'The Lost Daughter'. Her novels have reached a cult status that we aspiring authors could only dream of. For the first time, Ferrante has compiled her thoughts on reading and writing, compiling them in her recent 'In The Margins'. The Forest for the Trees - Betsy Lerner Betsy Lerner's book 'The Forest for the Trees' is unique on this list. Instead of simply documenting tips on writing, it explores the world of publishing through Lerner's own experiences as an editor. This fantastic book serves as motivation for its readers and encourages writers to have less doubt in their craft. Online Resources There are some fantastic resources available online for those that want some quick help. Here is a short but sweet list: Alexa Donne is a fantastic YA author who shares writing tips and publishing industry information regularly on her Youtube channel. Bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson has started posting incredibly frequently on his own Youtube channel, providing fantastic insight on his own work and the wider industry. Penguin Random House has written a list of the best books about writing, which you can find here. The late Joan Didion wrote a fantastic piece for Literary Hub about why she writes, which you can read here. Explore our wide variety of workshops to help you develop your craft. If you are 18+ and a Cornish Resident, you are entitled to one FREE workshop, which you can browse here.

Our outdoor screenings return this summer and this year, we are focusing on the curious and bizarre in relationships on film. For this week's #whattowatch we're covering more fun in the niche genre. Read more about our summer screening picks here! Santa Clarita Diet This cancelled Netflix show built a strong fanbase due to its great mix of genres and a hilarious central couple. Both in a mid-life crisis, Sheila and Joel crave some fun in their lives. What they don't expect is for one of them to develop a hunger for human flesh. Available on Netflix Midsommar Following the tragic loss of her family, American student Danni goes on a trip to Sweden with her crappy boyfriend and his grad course friends as they study the elusive Hårga people. What ensues is sun-soaked horror from the mind of modern horror icon Ari Aster. Available on Netflix Harold and Maude Harold and Maude was considered controversial on its release but has since become a cult classic black-comedy. The film follows the titular Harold and Maude, a young man and much older woman who enter a taboo relationship. What follows is a coming of age story for both of them. Available to rent on Amazon Prime and AppleTV. Edward Scissorhands This unforgettable Burton classic follows the director's usual tale of love and misfits. Edward was created by a scientist who died before completing him, leaving him alone, and with scissors for hands. When he meets the Boggs family and their daughter Kim, he begins to imagine a new life for himself. Available on DisneyPlus. Read more about our summer screenings shortlist and how to get involved!

Following the recent Grammy awards, for this week's #whattowatch, we're covering music docs! Our team are big fans of the genre, so it's time to share the love! The Beatles: Get Back This Peter Jackson directed and produced doc spans the entirety of The Beatles' career- racking up to a whopping near 8-hour runtime. Don't be intimidated, the film earns every minute and remains engaging for its duration. Charting the rise and stardom of one of the biggest bands of all time, it's one not to miss. Available on DisneyPlus. Amy Asif Kapadia's acclaimed documentary on the life and career of Amy Winehouse is tender and respectful. Kapadia's film serves as a beautiful exploration of Amy as a person and acts as a sort of send-off. If you'd like to learn more about the beloved singer beyond what the tabloids reported, this doc is a perfect place to start. Available to rent on AppleTV and Prime Video. Homecoming Beyonce's Coachella performance in 2019 quickly went down in pop culture history, but the preparation was anything but fast and easy. Homecoming, produced by Knowles, documents the sheer power and endurance of the star in her prep for the biggest performance of her career. Throughout, we are shown the smaller milestones that led up to the performance as well as just how large a hand Beyonce had in one of the greatest stages of all time. Available on Netflix. The Velvet Underground This Todd Haynes directed doc charts the life and times of the rock band The Velvet Underground, exploring their influence on music and avant-garde film of the 1960s. Haynes takes a look at how the band were not commercially successful but influenced the creation of entirely new musical genres. It's a love letter to a band that you may not have directly listened to, but recognise the sounds and imagery created by. Available on AppleTV.

Hello, my name is Felix, I’m a volunteer for Mor Media charity. Over this past Half-Term week, I’ve been helping with the Community Stories exhibition in Kresen Kernow, Redruth. I’ve learnt a lot about the community and what it means to be Cornish during the pandemic. Originally from Scotland, I was not born and raised here, but over the years since my family settled, Cornwall has become my home. It was interesting to hear about Cornwall from people who were born and raised here, and how the pandemic has affected their lives. It is not often talked about in mainstream media how Covid-19 has interfered with people's everyday life, so it was interesting as well as tragic to learn about just how bad it’s gotten for people over the past 2 years since the first lockdown began. It was also great working in the building of Kresen Kernow, as (in all honesty) I did not know this building existed until a week ago. The property was previously owned by the Redruth Brewery until, 2004, when it was closed down. The site was repurposed and reopened as a monument to Cornish pride and values. Despite many renovations over the years, the building still features its classic brick walls, which were laid in 1792. There are many exhibitions inside the building where you can visit and learn about your heritage and the history of Cornwall. Kresen Kernow is a place of pride, but also education. The top floor of the building contains an information archive as well as a library featuring books of all genres including books on mining, history, geography and much more. In my opinion, Kresen Kernow stands as a testament to both Cornwall and the Cornish people. It is a place for the community, encouraging change but embracing traditions and values. I’d like to thank Mor Media for giving me the chance to give back to the community and learn more about Cornwall and Cornish people. The community stories exhibition gave me a chance to meet people of all ages and backgrounds that I wouldn’t often meet. Vets, Photographers, PE Teachers, all ordinary people with extraordinary stories. It has been a pleasure working with Mor Media and Kresen Kernow, and I hope I get another chance to give back, in my own small way. Thank you for reading, your friend, Felix

Happy Valentines from all of us at Mor Media! Love is in the air and we decided to share some of our favourite romances to celebrate. ❤️ First up, our social media intern Farida named Richard Linklater's Before trilogy as her favourite on-screen romance, and it isn't hard to see why. The films have drawn a large cult fanbase for countless reasons: namely the lowkey dialogue-driven nature and gorgeous European backdrop. However, as the later films were released (each nine years apart) the slow growth of its lead couple drew adoration. The ups and downs of Celine and Jesse's relationship feel raw and true to life, leaving their romance all the more beautiful to watch develop. Our business manager Sally and business assistant Rupert both named 'Star Wars' as featuring their favourite on-screen love story. I assume that they meant the iconic pairing of Han Solo and Princess Leia, the original 'we're-kinda-enemies to lovers'. Han and Leia strike a chord because they don't fall for each other at first sight. There is obvious and immediate chemistry between them, but both are so frustrated with each other at all times that they don't take a breath to stop and truly pay attention to the real feelings lying underneath. It's a tried and true dynamic and we fall for it every damn time. As for myself, a self-admitted romance obsessive, it's a bit difficult to pick a favourite. If I was held at gunpoint, I would have to pick Park Chan Wook's The Handmaiden. While its meandering and mind-bending thriller narrative is captivating, what truly elevates Park's film is the sapphic romance at its centre. The beautiful romance between Hideko and Sook-Hee is truly one for the ages. Both save each other from their individual situation, and while the film is filled with eroticism, their intimate scenes and lesbian romance are treated with the respect and delicate touch that Park is so known for. What are your favourite romance stories? Let us know below, we're always looking for recommendations!

The evolution of animation on our screens in the last 20 years alone is mesmerising. Have you seen Toy Story 1 compared to Toy Story 4?! Not even in the same universe of quality! Growing up, like every kid I loved animation. My dad introduced me to films, but the one that forever sticks out for us both is Wallace and Gromit. The first thing I did when I found out Aardman are creating a new one for 2024 was ring my old dad haha, we were ecstatic! Nostaligia is one of the most heartwarming but heartbreaking emotions we feel as humans, the longing for times we want to return to. My dad and i used to watch Wallace and Gromit all the time, now we are lucky to get it in once a year, however this makes each viewing even more special. I think the most astounding change to animation is most present in Disney films. Look at Soul (2020), a groundbreaking release getting children to think about the meaning of life!! Similar to Inside Out (2015), creators are getting philosophical on screen. Inside Out's main focus is mental health, how each emotion is valid which are represented through animated people. The plot point in the beginning of the film is that Joy is the most important emotion, that we must ALWAYS feel happy. We all known that isn't possible, or healthy, which is what this film tells us, that its okay to be sad, angry... What a fantastic lesson to teach on screen, and through animation the target audience is reached in an engaging way. Disney animation has come far since its early days. Once upon a time princess's relied on a prince to come save them in fairytales like Snow White and Cinderella. Now, the princess saves herself in films like Frozen. Encanto (2021) features a strong, muscular woman who was demanded to be made into merchnaside by children all over the world. Keep an eye on an announcement coming soon about The Art of Animation event taking place at Falmouth Art Gallery this year!

Happy 2022! We are so pleased to welcome you back to our weekly blog series here at Mor Media, and we are also super excited to announce that we have a new writer! Hello, my name is Scarlett, and I am a passionate photographer and film lover from Sussex working for Mor Media as part of their internship programme. To start off my weekly series, I wanted to tell you all a little about my top 3 favourite short films as a way to introduce to you our upcoming Cornwall Film Festival Short Film Competition. Read to the end for more info on how to enter your short film! To start off my list, at number 3 I have selected ReMoved directed by Nathanael Matanick. Released in 2014, this film has had an impact on me since I was 15, when I first watched it for media class in secondary school. The film follows the emotional story of a young girl taken from her home and placed into foster care, told through her eyes. It is impossible to fully understand the extent of what a child in the foster care system experiences emotionally. However, this film poetically provides us viewers with feelings of sadness, anger, portrayal, and a little bit of hope, allowing us to peer into the child’s reality. Not to mention the cinematography and sound are second to none. It truly is a phenomenal watch. At number 2, I have placed All Too Well, the music video for Taylor Swift’s record-breaking 10-minute vocal masterpiece (I understand this may be an unpopular opinion, I welcome opposing ones). Now you may want to argue that this is not a short film but a music video, and I am here to tell you why you should give it a chance. Like most of Taylor’s songs, the lyrics concern a part of Taylor’s own personal life. Stranger Thing’s actress Sadie Sink portrays a young Taylor, and Dylan O’Brien acts as Taylor’s significantly older lover of the time. This created much controversy due to the actor’s age gap, however as rightly pointed out by many viewers, this is the point. We are supposed to feel uncomfortable. The lyrics accompanied by the visuals lead us, as viewers, through an emotional journey to which many of us can relate. The fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and hope that come with toxic relationships has truly resonated with viewers who have experienced similar to Taylor’s story. Stunningly directed by Taylor herself, I highly recommend a viewing (or two!). And finally, number 1 is taking a slightly different approach to the typical short film, and in short (pun not intended) these films changed my life. Indy Blue is a content creator who has documented every year of her life since 2016 until now. Each January a short film is released, where simplicity is key in terms of technicalities, the real magic is created within the clips. Indy captures the simplicity and complexity of what life is all at once. Her 2017 video is entitled ‘Dreaming With My Eyes Open’, and truly does represent the need to chase your dreams and enjoy life’s simplest moments. It’s about adventure and joy, and for the third time, hope. To enter your own short film work in this year’s CFF Short Film Competitions, simply submit a film of any genre or music video on the official CFF Film Freeway. For early bird entry, submit any film made after April 2021 by April 1st, 2022. To submit, for more info on the different categories and to read the terms & conditions, follow this link: https://filmfreeway.com/CornwallFilmFestival

Christmas season is upon us! After feasting and unwrapping all the presents, there’s nothing like a heartwarming Christmas movie to celebrate the holidays with your family and friends. Beloved classics like Home Alone (1990) and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) are among the most popular Christmas movies we rewatch every year. But what about less popular movies? Or overrated ones? We asked our social media followers and our team at Mor Media to pick their least favourite Christmas movies. Their choices made for an impressive and diverse collection of critically acclaimed films as well as terribly rated movies. Our festival director Louise Fox adamantly declared Die Hard (1988) the worst Christmas movie ever made. While the film launched a multi-million-dollar action franchise and gave us Alan Rickman as the iconic villain Hans Gruber, it may not truly encapsulate the Christmas spirit for some. Similarly, some of our social media followers picked Elf (2003) as their least favourite Christmas film. Starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, the family movie appeals to children all around the world yet may not be particularly favoured by those who dislike its comedic style. Our surveys also shed light on some unpopular opinions. While The Holiday (2006) is a personal favourite of mine, it was selected among the worst Christmas movies by one of our followers. It’s got unrequited love, cosy wintry sets, and Jack Black - what’s not to love? Perhaps its overly sappy happy ending is not everyone’s cup of tea. The truly divisive Christmas film that sent our social media followers raving and raging was Love Actually (2003). Richard Curtis’ BAFTA-winning film features a star-studded cast including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, and many more. Mor Media launched a poll to find out whether the film is a national treasure or just another lame holiday film. And the results are in: more than 70 percent of the responses were in favour of the film. National treasure, it is! What’s Christmas without heartwarming animated films for the whole family? Netflix’s 2019 Klaus revamped the Santa Claus scenario with its sleek art style which earned it an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. However, the film also divided our followers with some hating it while others proclaiming such negative opinions blasphemy. Other animated films that made our list of least favourite Christmas films include The Polar Express (2004). Mor Media business manager Sally Barnett dislikes the film’s CGI character design which she finds creepy. After going through our list of least favourite Christmas movies, which ones are you willing to give a second chance? Are there any you personally cherish no matter what? Regardless of taste and Rotten Tomatoes scores, the holidays are the best time to share what you love with your loved ones. We hope you gather with your family and friends this year and enjoy a feel-good film together. Merry Christmas!

As December rolls around, everything turns red, white, and green around the world. The harbinger of hope and goodwill, Christmas time is the perfect opportunity to support the local creative community in Cornwall. Be they students, first-time filmmakers, or professional directors seeking financial assistance, the film community in Cornwall provides an ever-growing supply of fresh new voices. Here we highlight only a few of the filmmakers currently crowdfunding to begin or complete their film projects. In the 20th edition of Cornwall Film Festival, audiences had the chance to watch the third instalment of the Cornwall Climate Stories documentary series, Living on the Edge. More and more filmmakers are directing their attention to local environmental issues. For example, a new documentary called From the River is highlighting the changes underway at Sailor’s Creek. After years of neglect, a group of passionate environmentalists are now dedicated to the repair of this wildlife haven and director Paul Mulraney is keen on presenting their unique process via film. Read more about the documentary here and support the filmmakers by donating to the film’s official crowdfunding page here. But it’s not only documentary filmmaking that’s thriving in Cornwall. Filmmakers are exploring a diverse range of genres including fantasy, comedy, and historical drama. Students especially are launching numerous short films with the goal of finalizing their productions before the 2022 film festival run. Working in association with the School of Film and Television in Falmouth University, Zoe Theil and her colleagues are crowdfunding This One’s On Me, a narrative short film tackling masculinity issues in a historical drama taking place in the 1960s. Learn more about their project and donate here. Cornish filmmakers are also committed to portraying their heritage in film. Falmouth University students Ben Clingan and George Murray are raising funds for their third-year project, Lost Excalibur. The film is a retelling of a Cornish folklore tale and will be shot at local sites including Kresen Kernow and Tintagel Castle. You can read more about the film and donate to the campaign here. Similarly, a group of women filmmakers currently enrolled in the Film and Television MA programme at Falmouth University are developing The Wolf and the Lamb, a modern take on the Grimms’ Brother classic Little Red Riding Hood. Due to the pandemic, the filmmakers couldn’t work on the film over the past year but are now restarting the pre-production process. Support their film’s crowdfunding campaign here. Many more filmmakers are seeking donations to make their films, check the full list of crowdfunding campaigns for Cornwall-based film projects here.

The 20th Cornwall Film Festival concluded its annual celebration last Sunday. Marking another successful year of championing cinema and industry connections, Mor Media welcomed Cornwall audiences to the Princess Pavilion for seven days of film screenings and live industry events. The festival kicked off with its collaboration with INTO FILM, a charity organisation supporting film in education. CFF hosted three INTO FILM family-friendly screenings including Around the World in 80 Days, Spirit Untamed, and A Dog’s Way Home. Running in parallel with the festival, the third edition of the New Wave Jury Programme consisted of masterclasses and workshops in support of young cinephiles with an interest in film criticism. Our jurors virtually met The Guardian chief film critic Peter Bradshaw who shared his experience and industry insights with them at the beginning of the festival. They also attended educational sessions with writer-poet Amanda White and head of Falmouth University’s Film & Television Department, Dr. Kingsley Marshall. On the festival’s second day, CFF director Louise Fox introduced this year’s first feature screening, the Icelandic Oscar entry, Lamb. The folk horror film stunned many, including one of our New Wave Jurors who dedicated a full review to it. The CFF line-up also included some of the most highly anticipated films of the year: Spencer. It was no surprise that the screening was our top-selling film with over 100 tickets sold! Another notable screening was Cornwall Climate Care’s third installment of their Cornwall Climate Stories documentary series, Living on the Edge. Directed by Bryony Stokes, the film’s premiere was accessible at CFF’s official venue, the Princess Pavilions, as well as online. CFF screened other critically acclaimed films including The Card Counter, Titane, and Ali & Ava. On its final day, the festival celebrated international cinema highlighting Arab and Romanian cinema in its screenings of Memory Box and the CFF closing film, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn. A special documentary screening of the 2021 Grierson Award winner, Becoming Cousteau was also part of this year’s festival. In addition to the festival’s feature programme, three short film competitions were held this year: Student, South West Regional, and International. Dedicated to supporting young filmmaking talent, CFF screened a total of nine student shorts as well as Origin, a collection of documentary short films made by first-year students from Falmouth University. The South West Regional Shorts featured 12 films from diverse genres including comedy, horror, and experimental film. Our New Wave Jurors also had the chance to view and judge the 2021 International Shorts, selecting Adrien Mérigeau’s Genius Loci as the winner of this year’s New Wave Jury Award with a special mention to Isla Badenoch’s The Elvermen. Known for its ESF workshops, Mor Media hosted a special session during the festival with photographer and video maker Annie Bungeroth. The photographer led an ESF Get Creative Street Photography workshop as part of CFF 2021. Participants walked around Cornwall with Bungeroth and took the perfect snapshots of the Cornish outdoors in this hands-on practical session. Another CFF highlight was the festival’s Industry Day. Hosted in collaboration with Cornwall x Connectivity, the day-long events included a BFI networking lunch and industry talks with filmmakers. The event was a great success with a bustling congregation of creatives from all around the UK. Attendees met film and television professionals like costume supervisor Jessie Metcalf and screenwriter-producer Neil Fox. Special talks shed light on location scouting and the importance of intimacy coordination on set. The day culminated in a special Middle Eastern supper feast sponsored by The Kin Collective followed by an evening screening of Petite Maman. Mor Media was pleased to work with numerous filmmakers and sponsors this year including the BFI Network, My Air Bridge, Creative England, St. Michael’s Hotel, and Verdant Brewing. We look forward to bringing together cinephiles and industry leaders at our next edition in 2022!