By Isle of Wight Observer
A short film, produced by Mountbatten Isle of Wight, has been nominated for a national award – and the hospice is now calling on the Island community to support it through public voting.
The Letter has been entered into the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards, sometimes described as the “Oscars of charity film”. Public votes will decide which films progress to the finals, and remain in contention for both the Judges’ Award and the People’s Choice Award. Voting closes on Friday, January 30.
Mountbatten chief executive, Becky McGregor, said the film reflects the Island community speaking up for dignity, compassion, and choice at the end of life. She said every vote helps reinforce the importance of hospice care, and the need to ensure patients and their families are supported during the most difficult times.
She added that the awards provide a valuable national platform to highlight the funding challenges facing hospices, and the need to keep end-of-life care accessible to everyone who needs it.
The film was originally produced in response to NHS funding cuts announced in May 2025, which would have reduced funding to Mountbatten IW by almost 40 per cent. The proposed reduction, from the Hampshire & IW Integrated Care Board, prompted the charity to encourage members of the public to write to health leaders and MPs. The strong community response helped secure a reversal of the immediate cuts, although discussions around longer-term funding for 2026/27 continue.
The Smiley Charity Film Awards are recognised by the British Film Institute and IMDb, and are the world’s largest cause-based film campaign. Mountbatten is competing in the £15m to £50m turnover category, alongside national charities including Dementia UK and Samaritans.
The film was produced in collaboration with Isle of Wight-based NOSY Creative Agency.
You can watch the film and vote at iw.observer/smiley.
