Cornwall-based filmmaker Dan Simpkins brings the underground world of Cornish mine explorers to light in his latest project, The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay. The documentary, which has been submitted to over 20 film festivals, captures the unseen world of this tight-knit group of men and their shared passion for mine exploration. The film has been selected to screen at the renowned Kendal Mountain Festival later this year.
Simpkins spent two years filming the group, known as the Carbis Bay Crew, and eventually moved back to Cornwall for three months to fully immerse himself in their world. “Cornwall is where I’ve always felt most creatively connected,” says the Director. “This documentary is about more than a hobby – it’s about the complexities of masculinity, the search for purpose, and the importance of community.”
The film’s subjects are not the stereotypical thrill-seekers, but instead, working-class men who find in the mines a rare space for reflection and camaraderie. In a society where men’s mental health remains a quiet crisis, the film offers a raw look at how shared risk and time underground become a powerful form of therapy and connection.
“They deflect with banter, but being underground demands presence,” explains Simpkins. “With their life literally depending on it as they abseil, climb and crawl through the perilous mines, they are forced into the moment, away from the pressures of daily life.”
The Director admits he was nervous about showing the film to the men at the heart of the story – The Carbis Bay Crew. However, their reaction was overwhelmingly positive as they laughed, connected, and saw themselves reflected with dignity and depth. For many, it was the first time their families truly understood why they spent hours underground. The screening opened up conversations within the group and beyond, reinforcing the film’s central message: behind the banter and bravado lies a powerful story of connection, strength, and unspoken support.
The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay also aims to spark deeper conversations around masculinity, vulnerability, and the power of community by partnering with MANUP?, an organization that challenges stigma and encourages men to speak openly about mental health. “The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay captures what we see at MANUP?,” says CEO and Founder Dan Somers. “That real connection doesn’t always happen in a therapy room. It happens in the quiet, the risk, the humour between men who feel unseen. Projects like this don’t just raise awareness, they show men they’re not broken – they just haven’t been heard yet.”
The production was also supported by Simpkins’s Falmouth University network, including technicians like Richard Butler, who offered professional-grade sound mixing and mentorship. “I love to hear how students succeed, but also, they keep their ties with us,” says Butler. “With challenges facing our industry like large-scale post-production companies closing down and the introduction of AI, it’s the independent and ‘filmmakers of tomorrow’ that need to ride these changes and build upon them, and Dan and Angus’s drive is second to none.”
The team is now actively seeking new projects that celebrate rich, underrepresented communities doing remarkable things. They invite anyone who feels their world deserves to be seen on screen to reach out and share their story. The production is also calling on festivals, broadcasters, and distributors who connect with the spirit of The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay to get in touch.
This year’s Kendal Mountain Festival, an event that celebrates outdoor adventure, will feature The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay in its programme. The film will be screened on November 21, 2025, and festival-goers will have the opportunity to meet the cast and crew. For interviews, press images, or more information, please contact the team at Carbisbaycrewdoc@rollnine.tv.