Following a humbling run of sold-out cinema screenings, The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay — winner of Best Adventure & Exploration Film at Kendal Mountain Festival — has announced an expanded programme of screenings across Cornwall and across the UK.
Demand for the Cornish-made documentary has exceeded all expectations, with early dates selling out rapidly and prompting the addition of new venues, towns and cities. The extended run will include further filmmaker Q&As, special screenings for cinema clubs, and newly confirmed dates nationwide stretching into 2026.
The Kendal Mountain Festival has also confirmed that the film will feature as part of its official touring programme, visiting 10 cinemas across England, Scotland and Wales between February and May.
One of the newly announced screenings will take place in Bantham in Devon, the hometown of the film’s editor Angus Breton — marking a full-circle moment as the film is shown in front of a home audience, including his family.
From Underground Cornwall to Sold-Out Cinemas
Shot over two years in the long-forgotten mines beneath the Cornish coastline, The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay is directed by filmmaker Dan Simpkins and follows a tight-knit group of underground explorers known as The Carbis Bay Crew. What begins as a portrait of a technically demanding and rarely witnessed pastime evolves into a deeply human story about friendship, purpose and resilience.
Craig May, Film Programmer and Company Director, Merlin Cinemas says:
“Cornwall consistently delivers remarkable creative talent, and we’re proud to play a part in showcasing that. With three screenings selling out within days the response has been overwhelming, and we’re now planning to screen the film at more of our locations in Cornwall and beyond.”
Reflecting on the film, Carbis Bay Crew member Pat Moret says:
“Every man and their dog has made an adventure film — many falling into the same adrenaline-fuelled territory. Dramatic, yes, but often quite run-of-the-mill. What we loved about Dan’s approach is that he focused on the people, not just the peril. That shift gives the film real depth. It’s captured our little club and turned it into a piece of Cornish history we’ll always be proud of.”
What began as a small number of local screenings quickly gathered momentum, with audiences snapping up tickets and venues selling out — leading to larger spaces and new locations being added, with tickets now on sale.
Director Dan Simpkins says:
“We hoped the film would resonate, but the response has been overwhelming. Seeing screenings sell out and new towns asking to host the film has been incredibly moving — it speaks to how universal this story really is.”
Trio Screenings Celebrating Unusual Passions and Community
Selected screenings will feature a special trio of short documentaries, pairing The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay with King Putt and Frankenbiking — three films all featuring animation by Joel Porter and Lydia Wonham, that celebrate people finding purpose, joy and community in unexpected places.
Frankenbiking, directed by Joel Porter and Alex Moore, won Best Short Documentary at both the Wales International Film Festival and Manchester Lift-Off Festival, as well as the Audience Choice Award on the Cyclist Film Festival UK Tour. The team hopes the film continues to inspire riders, builders and curious onlookers to climb a little higher — and see the world from a new perspective.
King Putt, directed by Hansel Rodrigues, follows the sporting journey of Marc “The Force” Chapman as he attempts to defend an unprecedented third title at the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings — where the courses may be small, but the personalities are anything but. The film won Best Documentary at the Crystal Palace International Film Festival and was filmed by Dan Simpkins.
Adventure, Masculinity and Mental Health
Created with support from Roll Nine Productions and MANUP?, the men’s mental health charity, the film quietly explores masculinity, vulnerability and the power of shared experience — without preaching or platitudes.
Producer at Roll Nine Kirsty Malcolm says:
“As someone who lost someone dear to me to men’s mental health, I hope that if even one person is inspired to seek out a community — however niche or unconventional — then this film has done its job.”
MANUP? CEO Dan Somers says:
“Connection doesn’t always happen in therapy rooms. Sometimes it happens underground, in trust, humour and shared risk. This film makes those moments visible.”
Searching for New Adventures and a Home for the Film
Following growing interest from audiences across the UK and internationally, the filmmaking team — Director Dan Simpkins, Editor Angus Breton, and Producer Kirsty Malcolm — are now seeking a long-term home for the documentary.
The team welcomes conversations with TV and streaming distributors and broadcasters interested in bringing the film to audiences seeking authentic, untold stories of extraordinary communities.
They are also actively developing future projects and invite people from unique, passionate communities to get in touch if they have a story they believe deserves to be told.
Expanded Cinema & Event Screenings
January 2026
- 17/01/26 – Saltash, Saltash Studios – 19:30 (Shorts Programme) – ON SALE
- 17/01/26 – Saltash, Saltash Studios – 19:30 (Q&A) – SOLD OUT
- 18/01/26 – Wadebridge, Regal Cinema – 19:00 (Q&A) – SOLD OUT
- 24/01/26 – Falmouth, The Poly – 18:00 (Q&A) – SOLD OUT
- 25/01/26 – Truro, The Plaza – 18:00 (Q&A) – SOLD OUT
February 2026
- 07/02/26 – Newquay, The Lighthouse Cinema (Q&A) – 18:00 – ON SALE
08/02/26 – St Austell, White River Cinema (Q&A) – 18:00 – ON SALE
- 14/02/26 – Helston, Flora Cinema (Q&A) – 19:30 – ON SALE
- 15/02/26 – Penzance, The Ritz (Q&A) – 19:30 – ON SALE SOON
- 15/02/26 – Truro, The Plaza – 18:00 (Shorts Programme) – ON SALE
- 25/02/26 – Falmouth, The Poly – 19:30 (Q&A) – ON SALE
- 27/02/26 – Newlyn, Newlyn Filmhouse – 20:00 (Shorts Programme) – ON SALE
Kendal Mountain Festival Tour
- Caernarfon Galeri Wednesday 25/02/26 – ON SALE
- Aberystwyth Aberystwyth Arts Centre Thursday 26/02/26 – ON SALE
- Exeter Exeter Phoenix Tuesday 21/04/26 – ON SALE
- Falmouth The Poly Wednesday 22/04/26 – CBC Q&A – ON SALE
- Bantham Outside Thursday 23/04/26 – Angus Q&A – ON SALE
- Southampton MAST Tuesday 28/04/26 – ON SALE
- Canterbury Gulbenkian Wednesday 29/04/26 – ON SALE
- Winchester Theatre Royal Thursday 30/04/26 – ON SALE
- Brighton Old Market Tuesday 12/05/26 – ON SALE
- Nottingham Broadway Tuesday 19/05/26 – ON SALE
