awen Director to be made Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd
Director of awen, Denzil Monk is to be made a Bard at this years Gorsedh Kernow "for services to Cornish Filmmaking".
Gorsedh Kernow exists to maintain the national Celtic spirit of Cornwall:
- to promote the study of literature, art, music and history;
- to promote the study and use of the Cornish language;
- to maintain and nurture links with other Celtic cultures;
- to provide a forum and encouragement to all who work to further these aims.
Denzil has been a passionate advocate of Cornish Filmmaking and the use of Kernewek in media for many years, serving as Chair of Cornwall Media Resource in 2002-03, then as Chair of Cornwall Film Festival from 2006-2009. Over this period he has screened hundreds of films to tens of thousands of people across Cornwall, from Arts Centres to Village Halls, Classrooms to Cinemas, at Festivals and fundraisers. Working in education and community settings Denzil has facilitated schools, youth groups and individual young people to learn and develop filmmaking skills, supported people to get their voices heard, helped develop talent and reach new audiences, attracting nominations and awards along the way.
Through awen, Denzil has written and produced many films and projects, including Tyskennow Kernow, a socially enterprising compilation DVD, which promotes Cornish Culture through its distribution and exhibition, and the profits of which supports the annual Govyn Kernewek Award, for a short film using the Cornish language.
Denzil works for the Real Ideas Organisation supporting schools to improve their media literacy offer and to develop social enterprise learning.
He is also a director of o-region where he is producing first time feature director Brett Harvey's Weekend Retreat.
Gorsedh Kernow
The Cornish Gorsedd 1928 - 2010
Dy’Sadorn an 4a Mis Gwynngala 2010.
Saturday 4th September 2010.
This year’s ceremony will be held at the Island, St. Ives.
Details of Gorseth Kernow can be read here