Cornish Content launches on BBC iPlayer

Screen Cornwall is delighted to announce that the BBC has launched its first content in the Cornish language on BBC iPlayer. The collection of four shorts was commissioned through FylmK - a talent development scheme delivered by Screen Cornwall in partnership with Cornwall Council - and is currently open to new applications. The launch comes as indigenous Cornish filmmaking, and the use of Kernewek, is rising in profile with Edward Rowe’s 2022 FylmK commission Mab Hudel being the first Cornish language short to be selected for last year’s BFI London Film Festival.

Stephanie Marshall, BBC Head of Content Production for the West and South West says: “Cornwall’s screen sector is distinctive both within our region and nationally due to its strong Celtic heritage and cultural links, minority language and perspective on the world as an outward looking peninsula with a worldwide diaspora. The BBC is delighted to be bringing these high quality short films to a broader audience and supporting indigenous production and talent development at the same time.”

Carol Mould, portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, said: “It is fantastic to see films featuring Cornish speakers on BBC iPlayer for the very first time. We are proud to be supporting Cornish filmmakers and producers and hope that these films encourage others to take an interest in learning Kernewek.”

About the films:

KESTAV (Contact) – 2020 – written and directed by Christopher Morris, produced by Susan Lay

A Cornish speaking alien returns to earth with the mortal remains of a 10th Century pilgrim. The alien comes with a warning, a gift and a proposition.

About FylmK 
Cornwall Council’s annual FylmK commission is part of the Cornish Language Office’s strategy to develop the usage of Kernewek in indigenous media. Recognised as a minority language just over 20 years ago, which led to the acknowledgement of the Cornish people by the UK Government as a national minority under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in 2014, there is a long track record of short films reflecting the language, culture and heritage of the region. Initially under the banner “Govynn Kernewek Award” the scheme was relaunched in 2018 as FylmK with talent development support provided by Screen Cornwall and in-kind support provided by Falmouth University’s Sound Image / Cinema Lab. Its success has driven a more detailed research report entitled A Case for a Cornish Public Service Media. 

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