independent Cornish news and comment

Cutting Edge of Cornwall Film Festival

Some might think a festival showcasing the work of Cornish filmmakers would be a low tech affair – if so they’d be in for a few surprises at the Cornwall Film Festival, taking place this week in Falmouth, Penryn, Truro and Godrevy 8th- 11th November. Innovation is the hallmark not only of the films, but of the festival itself.


This is the place to see creative breakthroughs, where feature filmmakers such as Jane Darke and Bill Scott, already well known on the Cornish creative scene, are joined by other filmmakers from all over the UK who are also experimenting with form and content.

Besides the cutting edge of art, there is pure technology on offer. A series of master classes and practical workshops at various Festival venues give filmmakers an opportunity to develop their skills in a wide variety of fields. Whether it’s a lesson in effective animation lip synching with the aid of Aardman’s Creature Comforts puppets, or learning the secrets of successful cinematography from Oliver Stapleton (director of photography, The Cider House Rules), festival-goers will be able to benefit from the knowledge of experts from throughout the film world.

What’s more, filmmakers will be able to sit down with industry professionals and have those burning questions, on topics ranging from copyright to production to distribution, answered by the experts in the Festival’s One to Ones. This year guests from BBC Films, South West Screen and independent production companies Slingshot, CrossDay Productions and Dogwoof, will be on hand to offer advice. Renowned copyright lawyer Kevan Tidy, and filmmaker Michael Wiese, will also be offering free consultations at the Princess Pavilions over the weekend.

Then there’s The Big Pitcher on 11th November 18:15 – 19:15 at the Princess Pavilion. No, this is not (just) an excuse to celebrate the last night of the festival with a few drinks, but a chance to pitch your own film ideas to festival goers. You only have two minutes, but if you give them what they want, the Festival will give you £100 to make a short film. The films made with the funds given out last year will also be shown, and one of last year’s winners, Ben Read, who achieved the feat of making his film “The Magic Car” for just £85, promises to return the excess £15 at this year’s event.

“Get involved”

“We want people to be inspired, to see that it is possible to put your film ideas into practice” comments Festival Director John Wojowski, “That’s why we host events such as The Big Pitcher, and why this year we’re introducing discussions on funding and distribution. We’re also giving festival-goers the chance to hear from local filmmakers including Mark Jenkin, Simon Harvey, Bill Scott and Laura Hardman about how some of this year’s brilliant Cornish Feature films were made on a budget in our Less Than Peanuts event.”

“For anyone who is just starting out we’re holding a lecture on Presenting Your Film to Film Festivals, and we hope even more people will be encouraged to enter next year,” says Wojowski. “To be able to host the World Premieres of no less than five Cornish Features is a real honour for the Festival this year; the Cornish film scene is clearly flourishing and we want to get even more people involved.”

Technology can also help festival-goers to get more involved during the Festival itself. Do not despair if you’ve already got a lunch date, you can still catch the films you’ve missed if you stop by the Festival’s Yamaha Videotheque open 10:30 – 18:00 Friday - Sunday at Falmouth’s Princess Pavilion. All films shown at this year’s festival can be viewed either in the Yamaha Video Booth with surround sound, or on plasma screens with headphones. Some Festival films are exclusive to the Yamaha Videotheque.

Festival-goers can also interact using the Festival website www.cornwallfilmfestival.com before they even leave the Princess Pavilion, thanks to our wi-fi connection, new for 2007. With the help of bside, a website which works with film festivals worldwide, our all new Events & Screenings page allows audience members to review and rate the films they’ve just been watching, create their own personalised Festival Diary and write blogs. Filmmakers can also upload trailers and stills to publicise their films, and catch up with that all-important viewer feedback.

“We’re hoping everyone will visit the new page and build up the Cornwall Film Festival as an online community for filmmakers and enthusiasts alike. If you’ve seen something and think it’s fantastic, don’t keep it to yourself. We think the website provides an opportunity to build up a real buzz about the excellent films on offer at the Festival.”

“All New Events”

BBC New Music Shorts 2007 presents filmmakers’ responses to a BBC challenge to make original new films inspired by new music tracks. The results can be viewed – and heard – in their first screening outside of London, on Saturday 10th November 13:00 - 14:30 at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

For the first time this year the Festival has an international aspect in the form of Kino Shorts, a programme of films hailing from every corner of the globe, from Croatia to Canada, and selected from the Manchester International Short Film Festival. All Saints Day, the directorial debut of Will Frears, son of Oscar-nominated director Stephen Frears (The Queen) will receive its World Premiere as part of this event, (Sunday 11th November, 16:40, Princess Pavilion).

Board Shorts, the UK’s premier surf film event, is back this year and better than ever, (Friday 9 November, 20:00 Sandsifter, Gwithian). Watch great films from the beautiful setting of the beach bar, and enjoy live music from acclaimed local band “Rosie and the Goldbug”. The eagerly awaited surf book September will also be launched as part of this event. (Tickets available only from Sandsifter, 01736 748457, £4/£3)

An Jowl yn Agas Kegin, (The Devil in Your Kitchen) the winner of last year’s Govynn Kernewek Award, will receive its World Premiere on Sunday 11th November, 7.30pm in the Princess Pavilion. The story of a downtrodden chef who receives an offer he can’t refuse from the Evil One, the film is a great showcase for the Cornish language and also features a very unexpected celebrity appearance.

Grateful thanks go again to our sponsors and funders:Project Brokers, Sanyo, St Michael’s Hotel, GV Thomson, Denham Productions, University College Falmouth, Yamaha, Big Lottery, Cornwall Film, Cornwall Media Focus, Creative Skills, Media Box, South West Screen, V for Volunteering, Truro College, Rok, Cornwall Film Catering, Devon/Cornwall Location Management and many many more, without whom the Cornwall Film Festival just would not be possible