A CROWDFUNDER has been set up with the aim of enabling the completion of a new short film documenting the hidden world of The National Lobster Hatchery, in Padstow.

“A Clawsome Tale” will be a short, whimsical documentary film, revealing the hidden world of The National Lobster Hatchery. By following the journey of a lobster, the film will take viewers from the lobster pot, to the hatchery, and finally back to the sea as some juvenile lobsters are released after spending their first few months in the hatchery.

Filming has already taken place across Cornwall, with funds now needed to pay for an editor, and cover out of pocket expenses and wages, in order to complete the film.

It will feature a pregnant lobster as an interviewee and narrator, Dan Gilbert as a Cornish lobster fisherman and Ben Marshall as head of production at the hatchery, alongside cameos from others - both people and lobsters - involved in the project.

Inspired by the likes of Wes Anderson, Aardman’s Creature Comforts and more traditional conservation documentaries, “A Clawsome Tale'' will be a fun, engaging film which aims to entertain and educate both visitors to The National Lobster Hatchery, and viewers from around the world. By interviewing a lobster as the main character, this film also aims to turn the traditional wildlife film-making format on its head.

The ultimate aim is that this film will help to drive further donations to the hatchery, to continue their work and give people an insight into the weird and wonderful world which the hatchery embodies.

To make this film happen, the crew were given exclusive access to the non-public areas of the hatchery; went to sea on an inshore fishing boat; and accompanied a juvenile lobster release. They will continue to work alongside The National Lobster Hatchery throughout the edit.

Produced by a small yet experienced and award-winning crew, the cast includes Lucie Machin (director/producer/camera operator) and Matt Jarvis (editor/camera operator), both professional filmmakers within the conservation film-making world, along with Caterina Giovannetti (underwater camera operator) and Matt Wall (camera operator).

Lucie Machin, film director, said: “I'm really hoping that this film will bring lots more attention to the fantastic work that The National Lobster Hatchery are doing, and support them in continuing this work. Once this film is completed, we're hoping to enter it into film festivals - both nationally and internationally.

“I'm really hoping that this will further raise the profile of the hatchery, on a national and even international scale. This would help educate as many people as possible about the work that the hatchery are carrying out, and also show people how interesting and important lobsters are. It's relatively rare to find such a positive environmental story, nevermind one which benefits multiple sectors of society, and we need more stories like this out in the world.”

Nicola O’Donnell, COO of The National Lobster Hatchery, added: “As we approach our 25th anniversary in 2025, 'A Clawsome Tale' provides a perfect platform to showcase what the charity has achieved around the coast of Cornwall over the last two decades . The trailer already gives a glimpse into the weird and wonderful world of The NLH. We can’t wait to see the full documentary and hope it will offer a unique behind the scenes opportunity to see conservation in action in conjunction with the fishing community. We hope to inspire the next generation while celebrating our work as we reach 25.”

In collaboration with The National Lobster Hatchery, the crew is launching a crowdfunding campaign to help with the project. Rewards include the chance to adopt a lobster, be named as a contributor in the credits, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the hatchery, and even be an official sponsor of the film.

To view the crowdfunding page and teaser trailer on Kickstarter, visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/luciemachin/a-lobsters-tale-film-documenting-national-lobster-hatchery

To view a blog post by The National Lobster Hatchery about the campaign visit nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk/a-clawsome-tale