Festival success for Cornish mine exploration film

The team behind a documentary film about a group of Cornish mine explorers is celebrating after winning a prestigious award at its first-ever film festival.

The film called The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay follows the men who find peace and bolster their mental health through hours spent exploring abandoned mine workings together.

The documentary won the Best Adventure & Exploration award at the Kendal Mountain Festival in Cumbria.

Judges praised the film maker Dan Simpkins for capturing "the grounding power of community, and the quiet courage it takes to show up for one another".

The Carbis Bay Crew spend hours deep underneath Cornwall, even digging out old tunnels and diving through flooded sections to reach new areas.

Members admit their hobby has the potential to be extremely dangerous so they are all qualified in rescue techniques and are careful not to reveal where they access the old mine workings, to prevent other less-qualified people following in their footsteps.

The film maker, Dan Simpkins, had to complete safety training with them before going underground - it took him two years to capture the footage he needed.

After collecting the award Mr Simpkins said: "This film isn't just about mine exploration - it's about what we carry with us and the places we feel safe enough to let go.

"The men at the heart of this story opened their world to me, and this award honours their honesty as much as the filmmaking."

In the official award citation Emma Crome from the 2025 Kendal Mountain Festival Film jury praised the film for its portrayal of the relations between the crew members.

She added: "Their world may be niche, dark, damp, even dangerous, but within it they uncover something universal; the grounding power of community, and the quiet courage it takes to show up for one another.

"This film is a heartfelt reminder that belonging can emerge in the most unexpected places, and that exploration of the inner landscape can be every bit as profound as any physical journey."

The film was supported by charity MANUP?, external which promotes "real, impactful action on helping men's mental health".

The plan is to enter the work into more film festivals in the coming months and there are a number of cinema screenings planned across Cornwall in January.

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