To mark Speak Cornish week (21st – 29th June) Screen Cornwall has released a summary of progress in terms of media in Kernewek achieved in 2025-26 as it launches the most recent commission focusing on young learners – an animated Cornish language version of the much-loved story SUPERWORM.
Performed by local voice actors including Mary Woodvine, Edward Rowe, Ben Kernow, Daniel Richards and Mimi Attenburrow, SUPERWORM is the second tale from Julia Donaldson’s much-loved library to be reimagined in Cornish, adding to the resources available for primary schools to engage with language learning.
As well as media for young audiences, Screen Cornwall was able to fund an additional FylmK short drama which had been developed following a previous open call. EXIT focuses on the challenges of homelessness from an idea by director Matilda Harding-Kemp, written by Marie Macneill and produced by Eolande Diaz. This film marks the 18th FylmK commission since it was launched in 2019 and the scheme is now paused as further partnerships are sought to build on the talent pool and momentum these films are creating.
Beyond local commissioning, two projects have flourished with national funding: POLL PRI written & directed by Edward Rowe was supported by BFI NETWORK in 2024 and is now available to view, alongside other shorts films from Cornwall in the Kernow Kino collection, on Cornwall365.com and ESTREN HI, a feature film entirely in Kernewek from writer/directors Mathy Tremewan and Fran Broadhurst and initially developed by Screen Cornwall, has been awarded further development funding from the BFI through Screen International’s Brit 50 ‘ones to watch’ Cornish powerhouse production company Bosena in co-production with MyAccomplice.
With Kernewek being included as a named minority language in the Media Act 2024 and the achievement of Part III recognition in the European Charter for Minority Languages, as well as the BBC recently producing its Learn Cornish podcast, the foundations are set for an acceleration of media content produced by talent in the region and the ambition for audiences is global.
Laura Giles, Managing Director of Screen Cornwall says: “We know from both in-person and online engagement with short content made by Cornish creatives that there is an appetite for these authentic voices and perspectives across the world. The screen industries enable audiences to connect with a sense of place, through our distinctive language, culture and heritage, whether they are living here or part of the global diaspora.”
MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, Perran Moon says: “The legal basis for further investment in the Cornish screen sector as part of a nations & regions push across the UK is clear. The talent and growing infrastructure we have already produces work of global relevance and excellence, it’s now time to go further and faster to solidify the economic impact and opportunities for local people.”
