CREATIVE & DIGITAL

Cornwall photographers Adrian and Bergit Barnett of Barnett Photo Studio recently worked as the official photographers at the largest photographic convention in Europe.

The Societies of Photographers’ London Photo Convention hosts 10,000 photographers from all around the globe over the four-day conference. The conference features a comprehensive

XIGXAG IS TOP START-UP

A Cornish company has been ranked as one of the UK’s top ten tech start-ups.

Tech Nation announced the ten winners of its fourth Rising Stars competition last month, which recognises the brightest and best earlystage tech scaleups from every area of the UK. And among the winners is Latchley-based xigxag, which has created a digital reading app.

xigxag’s success as an early-stage tech company reflects the strength and fast growth of the south west’s tech sector overall.

According to data from Tech Nation, the south west is now home to three of the UK’s tech ‘unicorns’ (companies valued at over $1 billion), and received $425 million in VC investment funding last year.

Tech job creation is also growing rapidly in the south west, with over 78,000 people currently employed by tech start-ups and scaleups in the region.

Kelli Fairbrother, co-founder and CEO at xigxag, said: “It is an absolute honour for xigxag to be recognised as one of the most innovative tech start-ups in the UK in 2022.

“Our aim has always been to make reading more accessible, more engaging, easier and more sustainable, so everyone can enjoy more books. We are grateful to receive recognition for creating the first ever listenand-read concept, the best-ever digital reading app and content platform in the industry - an exciting alternative to big tech.”

BARNETT IN DEMAND

programme of events including a trade show, workshops, awards evening and live photographic judging.

Adrian Barnett said: “This is the third-year running we have been chosen to cover this event, and we have already been booked and confirmed for next year as well - so pleased were they with our images.

“I think it is a quite a coup for Cornwall, as it would be easier and cheaper to use London-based photographers for the event, but we are always showcasing the wealth of creative businesses we have down here, so it is really great to get Cornwall noticed and have a business represented at this level.”

Penzance-based independent film production company, Bosena, has received a £40k loan from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF).

The funding will enable the company to expand and recruit two new members of staff, while supporting the company’s sustainability-focused, ethical and environmentally positive principles.

Bosena is focused on supporting and promoting Cornish and other underrepresented talent within the media sector, while delivering each project in an “ecological harmony” manner.

It is currently working on projects across film, TV, and animation including niche Cornish language productions and these

FUNDING FOR FILM COMPANY THREE IN THE RUNNING

Three start-ups from Falmouth University’s venture studio, Launchpad, have been named among the most exciting new businesses in the region after being shortlisted as part of a new awards programme.

The StartUp Awards National Series has been launched to recognise the booming start-up scene across the UK which has accelerated since the pandemic began. Now & Then is up for best tourism and leisure start-up, Kevri is shortlisted in the mobile and emerging technologies category and Purpose 3D is in the running for best digital start-up.

Winners will be crowned at a ceremony in June.

projects will be delivered across media channels including theatrical distribution, broadcasting, digital streaming and mobile.

The company’s latest feature is Enys Men, by BAFTA winning writer-director Mark Jenkin and produced by Bosena CEO Denzil Monk. The “ecosophical horror” is set in the Cornish landscape and is the follow up to BAIT (2019), the highly acclaimed, award-winning drama which focuses on the issues surrounding the gentrification of a small Cornish fishing village.

Monk said: “We are committed to showcasing the wealth of production talent that Cornwall has to offer by producing critically celebrated and commercially successful features. Acting local, whilst thinking global is vitally important to us as we’re proud of our roots, which is why we are always keen to make work which uses and celebrates our Cornish language and culture, and why finding and continually employing Cornish talent is a cornerstone of our ecosophical objectives.”