A powerful short film by Mountbatten Isle of Wight has been entered into the ‘Oscars of charity film’ – and needs the community’s votes to win.
‘The Letter’ has been nominated for the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards. To reach the finals and contend for both the prestigious Judges’ Award and People’s Choice Award, Mountbatten is calling on supporters to cast their votes by Friday 30th January 2026.
To watch the film and vote, visit: https://smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/the-letter
Becky McGregor, Mountbatten CEO, said:
“At its heart, ‘The Letter’ is our Island community speaking up for dignity, compassion, and choice at the end of life. Every vote is another voice saying that hospice care matters, and that our patients and their families must never be left to face the hardest moments of their lives alone.”
“The Smiley Charity Film Awards gives us a vital platform to raise awareness of the funding challenges facing hospices like ours and to ensure that end-of-life care remains accessible to everyone who needs it.”
The film was originally produced in response to devastating NHS funding cuts announced in May 2025. It urged the local community to write to health bosses and MPs to oppose an almost 40% reduction in funding to Mountbatten Isle of Wight by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (which funds local health services). The overwhelming public response, sparked by the film, successfully led to a reversal of the immediate cuts, though negotiations for long-term sustainable funding into 2026/27 continue.
Recognised by the British Film Institute (BFI) and IMDb, the Smiley Awards are the world’s largest cause-based film campaign. Mountbatten is competing in the £15m – £50m turnover category alongside national charities including Dementia UK and Samaritans.
By voting, the public can help highlight the critical funding crisis faced by Mountbatten and hospices across the UK on a national stage.
The film was produced in collaboration with Isle of Wight-based NOSY Creative Agency.
I use to think a lot of the hospice and then my husband got an aggressive cancer and was registered with them.
He died in November and had his funeral monday. Not once have they contacted me to ask how I am and how I’m coping and if I need help during his illness or after .
My mum died last year on the mainland and the martlets, the equivalent have not once stopped contacting me , even now they send letters of encouragement.