Cornwall Film Festival 2003

The second Cornwall Film Festival featured premieres of Love Actually, Wondrous Oblivion and Fubar, as well as Mevagissey-set 1946 classic Johnny Frenchman. We screened over 80 Cornish films in themed selections and continuous screenings – a mix of drama, animation, documentary and more.

Chilli Media premiered their new snowboarding film (W)Intermission and presented a themed screening of adrenalin-fueled boardsports. The South West Film and Television Archive offered a packed programme of old film treats including a rare 1960s Barbara Hepworth documentary introduced by the original film-maker Derek Fairhead. There were special events geared towards young people – screenings of their work and advice o­n getting into the industry from panellists including Ben Steele, star of Home and Away, the BBC, and young writers, directors and producers.

Masterclasses with director Stephen Frears, producer Stephen Evans, and cinematographer Oliver Stapleton were extremely popular. As were practical hands-on workshops in Camera and Lighting, Sound, Digital Streaming, and Acting for Camera.

Open debates were held o­n media education and how to build a dynamic Cornish media industry. Screenplays funded by Cornwall Film received performed readings. Seminars were held o­n New technology – the future of distributing and marketing (to view this event, click here), Development – how to find an agent, producer and development finance; Filming in Kernewek, and Pitching and Marketing.

Govynn Kernewek offered a production award to the best idea for a new short film in the Cornish Language. The winner, Carl Grose, is currently completing his film The Kernow Kick-Ass Kung-Fu Kweenz, due to be premiered at the Cornwall Film Festival 2004.