Three weeks to go to the opening night - I'm there from Wednesday evening to Saturday afternoon. Here's what I'm looking forward to: Watching films! (obviously) Combative/unafraid/provocative discussions and debates The sense of history from the characterul venues - the Crucible, Cutlers Hall, Channing Hall, all venues that express the industrial past of Sheffield and its 'maker' present Finding like-minded people to collaborate with (ideas are best developed together, aren't they?) Being somewhere international and inclusive. Filmmakers from over 70 countries attend to showcase their work, pitch ideas, and build partnerships. Seeing some of the live performances, talks, and art experiences that connect documentary to theatre, music, and digital art. Finding support in the AI storm Moderating the panel at the Documentary Film Council meeting on Saturday morning How about you? What am I missing? And if you're there, I'd be very happy to meet.

Walking around the beautiful galleries of Somerset House last weekend demonstrated the unique power of photography when artfully printed and exhibited - the experience often took my breath away. The setting and people watching might have had something to do with it - Somerset House really is the most special place. I went on three separate days to the fair (shout out to my sister Sheila who got me a VIP pass), and managed to cover most of the fair in that time. I have photography in my blood - it was my late father's profession and it's still how I feel most creative.(Do also check out Habie Schwarz' photos on Instagram from our Sunday visit there together). So it was three days to reflect on the kind of images of the world that we can now capture, and how we use them in film. Pictures that are worth a thousand words (the length of this blog post). Images that - if used in a documentary might be fleeting, or in some way a background to 'the story' or something that a protagonist was s

Visiting the Media Production and Technology Show at Olympia in London for two full days of panels, equipment demos, and conversations.

Working as a mentor at Mercadoc.0, part of the MAFIZ industry section of the Malaga Film Festival, introduced me to new talents in the Latin American and Spanish production community