At 99p Films, we bring people together and unite communities through the power of documentary cinema— showcasing social and environmental stories that inspire, engage, and connect. Our signature 'Social Cinema' formula is simple yet impactful:
Breathe, Watch, Discuss, Eat.
We start with mindful breathing, showcase thought-provoking films, lead audience-driven discussions, and close with a communal feast—where people literally eat part of the solution!
Now, we're excited to produce and release our first 99p Original Documentary: Trevone—a story of community, creativity and resilience.
Trevone follows a group of artists who transformed an abandoned Cornish quarry into a flourishing eco-haven, only to face eviction despite owning the land. United, they fight to save their home and the nature they've worked so hard to restore.
The 22-acre site, bought in 2009, has been lovingly revived by Rob Higgs, Sophie Miller, and a vibrant community of artists, artisans, and ecologists. What was once a derelict quarry is now a nature reserve, where people live and work in harmony with the environment, supporting 12 micro-businesses on peppercorn rent.
Cornwall’s new Climate Emergency DPD (Development Planning Document) was introduced to enable alternative, sustainable communities like Trevone to help tackle the climate emergency, from food sovereignty to recycling construction materials - while also addressing societal challenges like housing, job security, and isolation. But, despite this progressive policy, a mix of bureaucratic delays, an overzealous enforcement officer, and a hostile neighbour threatened to undo everything with an eviction notice placed on every workshop, forge and shed in 2022.
Undeterred, Rob, Sophie, and the community took their fight to court, battling bureaucracy with grit, determination, and hundreds of pages of evidence. And in December 2023—they won! Like a modern-day David vs. Goliath, the Trevone community secured the legal right to stay, live, and continue restoring the land they’ve nurtured for over two decades. Providing a positive case study to so many others in similar positions. Alongside inspiring us all to explore new approaches and models for how we can live more collectively and in harmony with nature and restoring our natural world.
We’ve captured hundreds of hours of footage documenting this extraordinary journey, with more filming still to be done—interviews, breathtaking shots of the landscape, and a beautiful soundscape that will underscore this moving story. We’ll also incorporate playful animation and experimental footage to create a documentary that’s not just informative, but a creative masterpiece.
This Crowdfunder will support both the completion and distribution of this film. With your help, we’ll take Trevone across the country using our Social Cinema model—spreading hope and showing others that collective action can triumph, even against the odds. This isn’t just a documentary; it’s a call to explore new ways of living in harmony with nature and each other.
Why 99p Films?
For two reasons:
1- Our community cinema tickets start at just 99p and follow a sliding scale ticket model - ensuring everyone can participate, no matter their financial situation
2- Our unique licensing model ensures that 99p from every ticket sold goes directly to the filmmaker, supporting transparency and democratisation in the film industry. The funds from this film specifically will go towards us telling more powerful and positive stories.
This is our first 99p Original feature documentary, and we want to kick things off with a bang! Help us tell this incredible story of a community that fought back and won.
Please support our Crowdfunder and be a part of this journey.
Thank you,
Alex & The 99p Films Team