Mountbatten Isle of Wight is asking supporters to vote again in the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2026, following an exciting change to the competition that means your local hospice is in with a chance of winning £13,000.
The charity’s film ‘The Letter’, made in collaboration with NOSY creative Agency, is a finalist in the £15–50 million turnover category, with the opportunity to win up to £13,000 in prize money – plus a national PR campaign and media support – following a public vote.
How the new prize structure works
Previously an award-ceremony-based competition, Smiley has introduced a cash prize model:
- £10,000 Grand Prix: Awarded to the film with the highest number of public votes overall
- £3,000 People’s Choice Gold: Awarded in each category
- National media campaign: Winners benefit from major PR coverage across national outlets
What the money would mean for Island families
Mountbatten won a Silver People’s Choice award in 2025. This year, the community’s support could translate into funding that enables Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s compassionate staff to provide 24/7 support to around 2,500 people every single day – those dealing with death and dying and bereavement, and their families.
Mountbatten CEO, Becky McGregor, said,
“This is an unexpected opportunity.
“The restructured awards mean that public votes now translate directly into much-needed funding. Every single vote brings us closer to securing resources that would make a real difference to the people we support, at a time when funding is ever stretched and challenged.”
85 per cent of Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s care is delivered in homes across the Island, and the charity reaches around 70 per cent of deaths on the Island, compared to a hospice average of around 30 per cent.
Becky added,
“If you voted before, thank you. Please vote again and turn your support into vital funding that means we can continue caring for Island families.”
How to vote before the 23rd April deadline
All previous votes still count. Supporters can vote again until Thursday, 23rd April 2026, with winners announced on 29th April 2026.
Voting is quick and simple, via the Smiley Charity Film Awards website or through Mountbatten’s website.
Finalists could also win a Judges’ Award, decided by a panel of industry experts. The Gold judges’ winner in each category will receive an additional £3,000, independent of public voting.
News shared by Jax on behalf of Mountbatten. Ed
