Up-coming short drama Open Country will feature actors from across Cornwall and Scotland, with Jamie Robson, Jowan Jacobs and Jack Brownridge-Kelly all set to feature in lead roles.

​Jamie Robson’s previous credits include the BAFTA Scotland winning short film My Loneliness is Killing Me (2018), Charlotte Wells’ Sundance nominated Blue Christmas (2017) and Ross A. Wilson’s up-coming feature Spin State (2022). 

Jowan Jacobs’ credits stretch across both film and theatre, most notably as Hugo Leigh in Mark Jenkin’s BAFTA winning feature film Bait (2019), as well as theatre work with Wildworks, The Minack Theatre and Coppice Theatre.

Jack Brownridge-Kelly makes his first step into film work, bringing an extensive background in theatre, with credits including The Minack Theatre and Ha-Hum-Ah’s production of Carl Grose’s Superstition Mountain (2022), Titus Andronicus (2018), Twelfth Night (2018) at the Globe Theatre, and The Velveteen Rabbit (2019).

Open Country explores a tense male relationship between brothers and cousins as they attempt to find common ground with each other following a death in the family. The film is currently being written and shaped through workshopping with the principle cast, with Jonny Dry writing the script in collaboration with each actor’s character development. 

The short film, directed by Jonny Dry, commissioned through the Exeter Phoenix South West Short Film Commission 2022, and produced through production company Studio Erma, is due to shoot in the summer in Cornwall. The finished film is expected to premiere at the Exeter Phoenix Two Short Nights Film Festival in 2023 before beginning its wider festival run.

As part of the Hypatia Trust’s Women of Cornish Music: Past and Present, seven filmmakers were selected to profile women in Cornwall’s music scene. The documentaries formed part of a wider project funded by FEAST, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Cornwall Heritage Trust and Screen Cornwall. Over the course of the project, a programme of events were hosted which explored and celebrated women’s involvement in music; volunteer research groups looked into archives around Cornwall, whilst composing and conducting workshops were delivered in partnership with the Cornwall Music Service Trust, aimed specifically at building girls’ confidence.

At an intimate screening at CAST, Helston, Small Groups Through Time screened alongside the other commissioned projects which profiled choirs, music therapists and musicians from across Cornwall. Small Groups Through Time, featuring Cornish folk pioneers Frances Bennett and Hilary Coleman as well as Frances’ daughter Cathy and her band Arbrevyn, delved generational links in folk music by depicting women at opposite ends of their journey’s.

Other commissioned filmmakers included Black Bark Films who profiled the 'accidental' choir mistress Vicky Abbott, and her role facilitating choirs in remote parts of Cornwall; Isabelle Morris’ insight into the life and music of Annabel Hockey-Smith, production company Bull and Wolf who looked at the joy of music and friendship within Stithians Ladies Choir; Ella Turner who worked with singer-songwriter Martha Tilston who rejected the intense scrutiny of women in music to live and work in Cornwall; and Biddy Lloyd who explored her mother's life as a community pianist.

The films were recently released online and available to view here.

Continuing its run of South West screenings, An Tarow has been selected as part of the Exeter Phoenix Two Short Nights Film Festival. Originally scheduled for a physical screening but now running online between the 18th and 26th February, An Tarow will be streaming in the Local Talent programme alongside the likes of Orson Cornick, Emma Grazette and Isla Ure.

The festival, sponsored by Production Base, Red Giant, BFI Film Audience Network and MUBI is now in its 19th year having championed filmmakers in both the South West and beyond. This year the festival is running in an online format, with five short film programmes available to stream as well as the premiere of the 48 Hour Film Challenge and a live pitching session for the South West Documentary Commission.

Other featured films include Cameron Richards’ The Sea which was recently featured on the Alzheimer’s Research UK website, BFI NETWORK short A Noble Truth directed by Tia Salibury and Kieran Stringfellow’s Bulldog.

Written by Samuel Jay Chessel and produced by Ella Turner, An Tarow has been recognised with a Best Celtic Short nomination at Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, and further two nominations and win at Little Wing Film Festival, that has recognised its editing, cinematography and directing.

Two Short Nights Film Festival will be the fourth festival for An Tarow, which was shot on location across Redruth, Truro, Carn Brea, Watergate Bay and West Penwith back in November 2019. The film follows the young, up and coming Jackson New in the role of Peder, who finds enough courage from his mother’s Cornish tales to confront his abusive father. The film features Edward Rowe in the role of Mal, who’s recent film Bait was nominated for Outstanding British Film in the 2020 BAFTA’s with director Mark Jenkin picking up the BAFTA for Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer. Bryher Flanders, whose previous credits include work with R&D, Soho Theatre, Bunker Theatre, RADA and BBC New Creatives, plays Peder’s mum Cara. With local Cornish actor Tim Cartwright playing teacher Mr Cormoron.

Following recognition at Carmarthen Bay Film Festival and Little Wing Film Festival, An Tarow, is set to be a part of this year’s Cornwall Film Festival. This year the festival will be split over both online and physical screenings. Cornwall Film Festival’s own physical screening is set to take place on the 14th November at The Poly in Falmouth, alongside a number of other South West filmmakers presenting work. These include Zoe Alker, Hannah Baxter-Freeman, Tommy Gillard and Lucie Eckersley.

Amplify, coordinated alongside Bath, Brighton (Cinecity) and Cambridge Film Festivals, is bringing a diverse programme of films to audiences across the UK. This includes an International Shorts programme including the likes of Adnan directed by Steven Chatterton, Appreciation directed by Tomisin Adepeju and Guardians of Ua Huka directed by Ben Cherry. This will show alongside a curated South West shorts playlist and offerings from the other four festivals.

Written by Samuel Jay Chessel and produced by Ella Turner, An Tarow has had a successful run at the festivals it has been selected for so far, with a Best Celtic Short nomination at Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, and further two nominations and win at Little Wing Film Festival, that has recognised its editing, cinematography and directing.

Cornwall Film Festival will be the third festival for An Tarow, which was shot on location across Redruth, Truro, Carn Brea, Watergate Bay and West Penwith back in November 2019. The film follows the young, up and coming Jackson New in the role of Peder, who finds enough courage from his mother’s Cornish tales to confront his abusive father. The film features Edward Rowe in the role of Mal, who’s recent film Bait was nominated for Outstanding British Film in the 2020 BAFTA’s with director Mark Jenkin picking up the BAFTA for Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer. Bryher Flanders, whose previous credits include work with R&D, Soho Theatre, Bunker Theatre, RADA and BBC New Creatives, plays Peder’s mum Cara. With local Cornish actor Tim Cartwright playing teacher Mr Cormoron.

Following early recognition at Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, An Tarow is set to continue its festival success with three award nominations at the 2020 Little Wing Film Festival. Director of Photography René Huwaë’s work is recognised in the Best Cinematography category, Producer and Editor Ella Turner is recognised for Best Editing, and Jonny Dry is recognised in the Best Director category. Normally running in London, this year the festival has moved online with a programme of events running between the 21st – 27th September. The full award nominees can be found here.

An Tarow will be screening on the 24th September as part of the Forgotten Britain programme alongside Thomas Read’s Brithdir Mawr – Living Off Grid, Thomas Line’s DJ Dougal's Dad, Rory Wilson’s Loco, Daisy Leigh-Phippard’s Sealskin, Jacob Hesmondhalgh’s The Saw Makers, and Alfie Elms’ West of the Lakes. The programme depicts deprived towns, dying industries and lost traditions across the country, exploring a side of Britain that is often neglected and unseen.

The film is recognised alongside a range of international filmmaking talent; including Joewi Verhoeven’s cinematography for Heading South, the directing of Laurie Barraclough’s Birdwatcher and Johanna Sutherland’s Lussevaka in the Best Director category, as well Jesse Lewis-Reece’s editing for Eyelash.

The grassroots festival, now in its fourth year, is continuing its work challenging barriers in to the film industry, amplifying diverse voices and redefining the conversation for a new generation of filmmakers. Previous years films include Tyro Heath’s Mash, Maria Neheimer’s Dark Hearts and Lou Cheruy Zidi’s Hollywood Is In Her Head.

The judges this year hail from across the UK film industry including Game of Throne DOP Fabian Wagner, UK Film Review Editor Chris Olson, festival strategy consultant Rebekah Louise Smith, Scottish BAFTA winner Jamie Robson, critic Dr. Toby Reynolds, actor Mark Lyminster, director Dejan Mrkic and MET Film School teacher Indra Bhose.

This will be the second festival for An Tarow which was shot on location across Redruth, Truro, Carn Brea, Watergate Bay and West Penwith. The film follows the young, up and coming Jackson New in the role of Peder, who finds enough courage from his mother’s Cornish tales to confront his abusive father. The film features Edward Rowe in the role of Mal, who’s recent film Bait was nominated for Outstanding British Film in the 2020 BAFTA’s with director Mark Jenkin picking up the BAFTA for Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer. Bryher Flanders, whose previous credits include work with R&D, Soho Theatre, Bunker Theatre, RADA and BBC New Creatives, plays Peder’s mum Cara. With local Cornish actor Tim Cartwright playing teacher Mr Cormoron.

The press kit is available to view here.

Following early recognition at Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, An Tarow, is set to be a part of this year’s Little Wing Film Festival. Normally running in London, this year the festival has moved online with a programme of events running between the 21st – 27th September.

The grassroots festival, now in its fourth year, is continuing its work challenging barriers in to the film industry, amplifying diverse voices and redefining the conversation for a new generation of filmmakers. Previous years films include Tyro Heath’s Mash, Maria Neheimer’s Dark Hearts and Lou Cheruy Zidi’s Hollywood Is In Her Head.

The judges this year hail from across the UK film industry including Game of Throne DOP Fabian Wagner, UK Film Review Editor Chris Olson, festival strategy consultant Rebekah Louise Smith, Scottish BAFTA winner Jamie Robson, critic Dr. Toby Reynolds, actor Mark Lyminster, director Dejan Mrkic and MET Film School teacher Indra Bhose.

This will be the second festival for An Tarow which was shot on location across Redruth, Truro, Carn Brea, Watergate Bay and West Penwith. The film follows the young, up and coming Jackson New in the role of Peder, who finds enough courage from his mother’s Cornish tales to confront his abusive father. The film features Edward Rowe in the role of Mal, who’s recent film Bait was nominated for Outstanding British Film in the 2020 BAFTA’s with director Mark Jenkin picking up the BAFTA for Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer. Bryher Flanders, whose previous credits include work with R&D, Soho Theatre, Bunker Theatre, RADA and BBC New Creatives, plays Peder’s mum Cara. With local Cornish actor Tim Cartwright playing teacher Mr Cormoron.

The press kit is available to view here.

Have been first long-listed for Enter the Pitch back in Autumn 2019, Jonny’s next up-coming film has been selected alongside seven other projects for the BFI NETWORK South West: New Writers Lab. Taking place over 3 consecutive months, the scheme works with Script Editor Kate Leys to develop early stage short ideas into completed treatment ready to share with producers and financiers.

Jonny’s project, currently being developed under the working title 'The Weight of Clay' and set amidst a remote rural backdrop, depicts the response of a renowned marathon runner, who’s future becomes uncertain after suffering a miscarriage. The project, explores a wide range of themes, including the darker side of extreme sporting commitment, and first developed out of conversations Jonny and his mum had had about her experiences prior to having children, and their shared love of athletics.

The scheme is being run with script editor Kate Leys, who’s screenplay work extends across at all stages of development from first outline to pre-production. As well as working with screenwriters and filmmakers such as John MacLean, Michal Marzak, Alice Lowe, and Rungano Nyoni, she has been head of development at several companies including Film4 where she was part of the small commissioning team responsible for films including Trainspotting, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Orphans, East is East and Girl with a Pearl Earring.

The other seven selected filmmakers include Eva Edo, who’s work has been commissioned through the Alfred Fagon Award and Routes Collective, and awards from the likes of the Royal Society of Literature; Hyunju Lee, who studied at the Korea National University of Arts before being selected for her first English language short film Midnight Drive as part of the 2020 New Creatives scheme; Isla Badenoch, who’s background in documentary has seen her recognised as part of BFI Network x BAFTA Crew and the BIFA Emerging Filmmaker Springboard; Jason Barker, who’s feature documentary A Deal with the Universe was the centre piece screening for the BFI Flare festival; Kam Gandhi, who’s gained numerous commissions and recognition for her writing on the experience of being black, female and British and giving voice to the outsiders of society; Mena Fombo who co-founded factual and live action production company Blak Wave Productions to tell stories centred on the black girl experience; and Owain Astles who’s work is underpinned by community-led stories of empowerment, connection and resistance and has been recognised through the BBC Arts New Creatives scheme.

The scheme concludes in July and brings together this collective of writers and directors to workshop collaboratively, developing their ideas in preparation for seeks production funding. The full press release from Film Hub South West can be read here.

An Tarow’s festival success continues with a nomination in the Best Celtic Short Film category at the BAFTA Cymru Qualifying Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. With over 1000 films submitted to the festival this year, the category recognises the best Celtic produced work and use of the Celtic languages from Wales, Ireland North or South, Isle of Man, Cornwall, Scotland and Brittany.

The other seven nominated films include Orson Cornick’s Choker filmed in Cornwall, Angor by Bangor based photography Paul Hanks, The West Kerry Cowboy by Cian O’Connor, Leave the Road Behind You by Daniel Butler, Pale Saint by Rhys Marc Jones, and Boat Boy Joe Madden.

Also nominated was Sema Basharan’s recent documentary The Signalman which recently featured on BBC One’s Inside Out South West and has been previously screened at Newlyn Film Festival, Cardiff Mini Film Festival in June last year, and London’s British Documentary Film Festival where it won in the Best Student Film category. The film follows the life of the only violin maker in Cornwall in the early twentieth century who gained wide spread renown for his craftsmanship. Sema’s previous work includes Unknown Ravens and Life Lessons.

An Tarow, which shot on location across Redruth, Truro, Carn Brea, Watergate Bay and West Penwith follows Jackson New in the role of Peder who finds enough courage from his mother’s Cornish tales to confront his abusive father. The film features Edward Rowe in the role of Mal, who’s recent film Bait was nominated for Outstanding British Film in the 2020 BAFTA’s with director Mark Jenkin picking up the BAFTA for Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer. Bryher Flanders, whose previous credits include work with R&D, Soho Theatre, Bunker Theatre, RADA and BBC New Creatives, plays Peder’s mum Cara. With local Cornish actor Tim Cartwright playing teacher Mr Cormoron.

Carmarthen Bay Film Festival made the announcement alongside other award nominations on their Facebook page which can be watched here.

The press kit is available to view here.

Alongside a wide range of Cornish based filmmakers, Jonny’s latest project on Penzance based luthier, Hannah Sedgwick, was commissioned as part of the Hypatia Trust’s Women of Cornish Music: Past and Present project. The project, which commissioned eight short documentaries, aims to explore and celebrate the contributions of women to Cornwall’s musical heritage.

Jonny’s project is not only a first step in to documentary, but also a first chance to experiment with Super8 film, which he will be using to capture the tactile qualities of Hannah’s craft, pairing this with conversations and sounds of repair to explore the many aspects of Hannah’s life.

From her Penzance-based workshop, Hannah Sedgwick continues the town's long line of luthiers; those who take battered instruments and turn them towards a new lease of life. Through a web of conversations and sound, Jonny’s project reflects on the meaning of craft, showing a woman working with her hands, and listening to the interactions that make up her daily life.

Other commissioned filmmakers include Sky Neal, who’s recent feature documentary Even When I Fall was nominated for a 2018 BIFA and Sheffield Doc Fest in 2017, and won the Audience Award at RAI Film Festival in 2019. The film, described at “sensitive, intimate, graceful” by Total Film and “visually arresting” by Little White Lies, follows Sheetal and Saraswoti re-building their lives after returning to Nepal having been trafficked as children in to Indian circuses.

The rest have been brought together from across Cornwall, each exploring distinct areas of musical practice; from musician’s such as Martha Tilston, to the work of music therapists like Ruth Bolton and a sweeping generational perspective on Helston Flora Day. The films will sit as a permanent collection that captures female role models in Cornwall and work to rebalance the awareness of women’s roles in Cornish music-making.

The wider project, funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Cornwall Heritage Trust and Screen Cornwall, will run for 15 months and encompass a wide range of events and projects in heritage and education. As well as the eight commissioned films, a wider programme of events and volunteer archive work will explore and celebrate Cornish music through a female lens, discovering stories and music of historical women and displaying strong female role models for the next generation.

More information can be found through the Hypatia Trust’s website.

An Tarow’s festival run begins with a first official selection at the BAFTA Cymru Qualifying Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. The festival, originally set for the 27th May but postponed due to COVID-19, has been running since 2012 and taken submissions from over 60 countries over the years. In 2019 the festival saw over 750 films submitted and has a growing list of partners including Stradey Park Hotel, BAFTA Cymru, RTS Wales, University of Wales Trinity St. David, Felin Foel Brewery and Carmarthen Cameras. With this year’s edition cancelled in the current global climate, nominations and winners announcements will be released over the film festival’s social media platforms in April and May.

Local opportunities to see the film are currently on hold until further notice however announcements will be released in due course for opportunities in Cornwall and the Southwest for audiences interested in Cornish language drama.

The film, which shot on location across Redruth, Truro, Carn Brea, Watergate Bay and West Penwith follows Jackson New in the role of Peder who finds enough courage from his mother’s Cornish tales to confront his abusive father. The film features Edward Rowe in the role of Mal, who’s recent film Bait was nominated for Outstanding British Film in the 2020 BAFTA’s with director Mark Jenkin picking up the BAFTA for Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer. Bryher Flanders, whose previous credits include work with R&D, Soho Theatre, Bunker Theatre, RADA and BBC New Creatives, plays Peder’s mum Cara. With local Cornish actor Tim Cartwright playing teacher Mr Cormoron.

The press kit is available to view here.