University of Exeter celebrates South West cinema success with online public film festival

An online film festival showcasing movies and documentaries that comment upon creative life in Devon and Cornwall opens today (Monday 1 December).

DxC will feature works past and present from regional directors, with the theme of Southwest Crossings: Journeys Through Time.

The films are all being screened free of charge on YouTube, courtesy of eXeFilm, the University of Exeter’s film distribution label.

There will also be two ticketed pop-up cinema events in Exeter this week, featuring short films that reflect and celebrate ideas of fate and folklore.

“With DxC, we are looking to build upon the success of eXeFilm this year, and the way it has brought high-class, thought-provoking films to the region,” says David Salas, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Communications, Drama and Film. “And it felt fitting that the festival celebrated both the wealth of talent in the region, who are producing very personal and distinctive films, as well as those international productions that have created such a buzz of expectation as to the potential of the South West as a film location of choice.”

The films run from today, 1st December, to Saturday 6th, and have been co-curated by postgraduate students on the University’s MA International Film Business degree. Each offers an “intimate glimpse” of the people and communities of Devon and Cornwall.

They are:

• This is Phonic (2018, directed by Chris Jones)
• Abridged (2019, dir. Andy Thatcher)
• Granbad (2019, dir. Annabel Vine)
• The Fisherman’s Lodge (2021, dir. Barbara Santi)
• Way of the Brush (2022, dir. Barbara Santi)
• Impressions of Time – Aftersun (2024, dir. Fin Cooper)
• Little Red String of Fate (2024, dir. Yudi Wu)
• Slipstream (2025, dir. Polly Card)
• You had my Smile (2025, dir. Tobias Little)

“These films carry authentic voices from Devon and Cornwall, they are personal, resonant, and aesthetically distinctive,” says Angelli Lazarte, the Head of Programming at the Festival. “We wanted to celebrate our regional filmmakers and their especial connection to the two counties.”

All of the films will be hosted on the eXeFilm YouTube channel, supported by written introductions to give audiences a sense of connection and dialogue. The collection’s presentation and art direction was created by Proud Khiengdao.

The two themed pop-up events will support the film festival, with the first, Kismet Connections, taking place at Sacred Grounds on Fore Street on Thursday 4 December at 6pm.

The following day, also at 6 pm, Folklore After Dark will be an evening of short films and music at St Nicholas Priory, with audience members invited to share their own favourite folklore tales between screenings.

This year, several major developments took place in the region, including the launch of Screen Devon and a £2.5m High End Television investment fund by Screen Cornwall. Several major productions are also currently being filmed in the region, such as Robert Eggers’ new film Werwulf.

“Devon and Cornwall are increasingly of interest to film and television production, with a lot happening in 2025 and the future looking bright regionally,” adds Astha Mary Varghese, a member of the programming team. “Through eXeFilm, we can both help to put local filmmakers on the map and stimulate demand for thoughtful, high-quality films so often overlooked by mainstream multiplexes.”

More information about the film festival’s final programme can be found at https://www.exefilm.com/dxc-film-festival-2025.