Screen Cornwall makes first feature film development awards

Screen Cornwall announce the first four recipients of its Feature-Film Development Scheme for projects in the Cornish language (Kernewek) made by local creative talent.

Managing Director Laura Giles says: “It’s fitting to announce these commissions on the day we mark the 10th anniversary of Cornish being awarded national minority status by the Council of Europe. This scheme is all about strengthening authentic media representation for Cornwall by enabling distinctive stories to be told in Kernewek, and we look forward to working with these talented filmmaking teams.”

The four projects are: 

LANOW/RISING TIDE (w/t)  

Victims of a devastating housing crisis, 10-year-old Lowen and his loving father treasure one last summer together in the place they call home.

Written by Newlyn-based talent Callum Mitchell who was Assistant Director on Mark Jenkin’s BAFTA-winning film BAIT and the recent ENYS MEN and has also received recognition for his radio writing credits including Solomon Browne and Greetings From Sunny Cornwall. Produced by TV and audio producer Simon Nicholls (Spike Productions), previously a member of Armando Iannucci’s award-winning BBC Comedy team for five years and more recently producer of BBC radio comedy Nature Table hosted by Sue Perkins, podcast French and Saunders’ Titting About and BBC radio sketch-show Wosson Cornwall featuring Dawn French, nominated for Best Comedy at the upcoming 2024 Celtic Media Awards.

DEDHYOW TESEN/CAKE DAYS (w/t):  

Returning to Cornwall, a young woman is determined her terminally ill father’s bucket list with him before it’s too late — unaware that he hasn’t been entirely honest with her, and time is running out faster than she realises.

Written by NFTS graduate and BAFTA-longlisted Cornwall-based screenwriter Julie Nørgaard Jensen, whose film and TV work has spanned the UK, US and the Nordics, and includes upcoming series Smilla’s Sense of Snow directed by Amma Assante, adapted from Peter Høeg’s novel of the same name. A Cornish producer is in negotiation.

POLL PRI/CLAY PIT (w/t)  

A generational drama set in the clay tips and villages of mid Cornwall.

Written and directed by Cornish talent Edward Rowe, an award-winning actor, writer, director and comedian (under the alias ‘Kernow King’) and Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd, best known nationally for his lead performance as Martin Ward in Mark Jenkin’s BAFTA-winning film BAIT. Edward teams up with South West-based producer Bex Rose, who has made films for Channel 4 Random Acts, BBC New Creatives and BFI NETWORK, through production company Delvrys.

ESTREN HI/ALIEN SHE (w/t)  

A twelve-year-old girl discovers a dead body and adopts his hardcore punk identity.

Written and directed by creative duo Mathy Tremewan and Fran Broadhurst, who have built a career making acclaimed music videos and commercials since first collaborating on a Cornish language short in 2005. Known for their vivid graphic style, their film work to date has been supported by the British Council, Film London and the BFI. Co-produced by My Accomplice, behind documentaries such as BIFA nominated NASCONDINO (BFI/ Doc Society) and 8 BAR- THE EVOLUTION OF GRIME (BBC Film) who are now spearheading a move into scripted projects with a Film4 and BFI backed debut feature launching soon amongst a growing, diverse drama slate.

All four projects will now be supported to detailed treatment stage. Two will then go on to receive further funding to reach script stage, with writer and producer fees covered.

Denzil Monk, Consulting Executive Producer for Screen Cornwall’s Feature Film Development Scheme, says: “Yntanys ov vy a vos owth oberi gans Skrin Kernow; I’m thrilled to be working with Screen Cornwall, helping to develop our growing pool of Cornish screen talent and providing further opportunities to bring to life Cornish language and cultural short form, features and factual content for global audiences. These commissions are a crucial step towards providing a more pluralist and representative public service media that recognises and celebrates Cornish distinctiveness and will have a transformative impact on our burgeoning indigenous screen sector. Splann yw!”

Screen Cornwall’s Feature Film Development Fund is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council has been chosen by Government as a Lead Authority for the fund and is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The project is also funded through the Devolution Deal for Cornwall.