A major new cultural project will explore the rich heritage and potential future uses of the River Tamar.

The project, supported by Peninsula Arts at Plymouth University and the Arts Council England, aims to reflect the river's historical, cultural and industrial importance.

The year-long initiative, entitled 'It's All About the River', will culminate in a film festival in 2014, but it is hoped it will also feed into ambitious long-term plans to utilise the river for a range of contemporary art and environmental installations.

The festival will commission and schedule a programme of contemporary and historic film and video that seeks to bring awareness of the waterway in the context of major rivers throughout the world.

Paula Orrell, artistic director of the River Tamar Project, said:?'The intention of "It's All About the River" is to draw attention to issues which are universally relevant, and explore a potential new human purpose for the River Tamar once more.'

The project will be launched at Plymouth's Royal William Yard on Saturday, September 21 with a public performance by Plymouth University academics Jane Grant and Dr John Matthias, pioneers of the award-winning Fragmented Orchestra.