Bitter Sweet (Hwerow Hweg) is the first film made entirely in the Cornish language

Although only 15 of the 68 applicants will receive funding Colin Rogers said there were very few applications which would have been rejected as unworkable.

Mr Rogers was speaking at the launch of four new digital films produced in association with the National Film Council and South West Screen.

He said a record number of applications had been received and only the very best projects could be funded.

Exceeded targets

"We just had to choose the ones we felt were most viable or those that most deserved our support," said Mr Rogers.

"There is a huge amount of talent in the media sector in Cornwall and the projects we fund are only the tip of the iceberg."

The current phase of the funding provides money for scriptwriting, short film production and the development of feature films and major TV projects.

The funds available until the end of 2003 have now been allocated and talks are continuing about a possible second phase.

In the first phase the fund has far exceeded its original targets and has supported 31 scriptwriters, 11 short films and development of 11 major film and television projects.