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Festival Blog by Paul Hills Part two..

Sunday – 8.30am

Last night I had 6 hours sleep, the most I’ve had since Wednesday. Robin is now driving me to the cinema. Will people come so early in the morning? I must try not to blow it, try not to waste the momentum from last night.

12pm
I shouldn’t have been skeptical about how many people would come to such an early screening. There were three films showing this morning. As I arrived, the queues for the other two films had a handful each. Our film had about 50 people.

Today it was on a different screen so I went again to the projection box. Immediately I said “I think the sound is 15 frames later than the picture.”
Mathew Stevens, director of operations didn’t believe it was possible so I took him down into the empty theatre and asked him to look closely. Suddenly the penny dropped. I continued “As it’s late, I’d bet that you have a much longer cable for the sound than the picture.”
“It’s three cables together. Three times as long.” he said shaking his head.
“OK, give both picture and sound the same length and we’re in business.”

By now the queue outside was much much longer. In fact it was right around the block. I talked to the guy at the front that I’d recognized. He had been queuing since 8am to see the film for a SECOND TIME! Behind him were a couple who had driven from Denver on the recommendation of their friends last night. Another guy joked “If I don’t get in can you explain the film to me?”
I joked back “With a title like ours I might not be able to explain it even if you’ve seen it!”

As tickets were being taken and people were finding seats, I was told it was the best attendance for a Sunday morning screening EVER. Also, with last night, it was the best combined box office of any film that has EVER screened in the festival’s 3 year history. Luckily, though, we were able to fit everyone in with only a couple standing.

Chris Loud introduced me again. He got the packed crowd to chant “We r, we r QPR!” as I came to the front. That was special. I said similar things to what I’d said the day before, but I’d come up with another gag from the previous day’s Q&A so was able to solicit a third and even a fourth laugh before things kicked off.

I still walked out and paced but this time came back after 20 minutes. This time I watched from the back for a huge chunk of the film. I texted jonnie a number of times, telling him at what point the audience laughed which was at EVERY place they were supposed too. Even in the banana scene, on Hampstead Heath, the “losing my phone” scene, the “do something half heartedly” scene. It was fantastic.

Then - while I was sat on the floor by the door - someone walked out. I thought. Jesus, well, that’s someone who doesn’t like the film. Five minutes later, Yolanda, another festival person, told me that he was a film-maker, one that maybe thought he would win an award. Apparently as he walked out past the box office, he said “There’s the winner – right there!”

In the Q&A I read out a text that Jonnie had sent me in response to the ones I had sent him. “Please tell the audience that it fills me with joy that my often bizarre sense of humour can make people laugh thousands of miles away in a city I have never seen.” As I read, my voice faltered a bit again. It wasn’t for the last time either.

The audience response was even better than the day before.

The Q&A had to be physically stopped otherwise it would have gone on for hours. I had even more people to talk to afterwards. People said that they were totally blown away by the film. Others that they were profoundly moved or that they wanted to travel to the forest and the lake. I spent a good 40 minutes, shaking hands, hearing comments and signing autographs on posters, postcards etc. I gave away as much as I could to people who wanted things. A lot did. A number of people also wanted their photograph taken with me saying “This guy will be famous one day!” etc. I haven’t heard stuff like that since the premier of BKO in San Sebastian many years ago.

4.30pm
Kim Peterson just took me to see the Garden of the Gods and other sights around Colorado Springs. I wanted to see more than just the centre of the city. There were beautiful mountains, peaks and forests. While out in the countryside, the altitude sickness came back to me and I started thinking that we could win Best Film now - that it was a real possibility.

Someone in the audience this morning, just told me that after the screening, he had to walk around town for an hour, then sat in the park for another two hours thinking about how to change his life. When I was told that a tear came to my eye. He said finally “Your film really humbled me.”

Gina, another festival worker but one responsible for counting votes just told me she doesn’t know the final results but that I should head to the awards. “Do you really think I should go?” I said, trying for more information.
"You better go!" she replied.

8pm
I stood at the back during the awards ceremony. Beforehand many people said “We’re rooting for ya Paul!” Deservedly “Kiddo" won an award. Then, half way through, “Best International Film – Do Elephants Pray?” As I walk to the stage there were many stops for back slapping, high fives and all manner of whooping and hollering. I applauded the audience and - always conscious of what the shot is - stood in front of the image of the film and raised the award above my head, hoping my photographer confidant would catch the moment.

I wasn’t as emotional as I thought I would be in my speech. Possibly that is because I am so drained by the last two days. I thanked everyone for being so kind to the film and told them how important the award is for us.

“Earthwork” took best film. After the ceremony I call Jonnie and Julie with the good news. Julie’s phone went to voicemail but I got through to Jonnie who had been asleep.

Afterwards, Chip, the film-maker who won the Directors Choice award, came up to me and said “After seeing your film, I don’t feel I deserve any award. If you give me a screener, I’m going to take your film to my distributor here and tell them that they must distribute your film.”

Later in an Irish Bar, I got to talk with a lot of the other film-makers including Chris Odall and even the director who’d made the annoying short. I was surprised to find out that she is moving to London soon and wanted to stay in contact for some advice! We all talked about film, exchanging references and preferences. The night was wonderful.

Monday – 9am
Earlier, I said goodbye to the city by taking an early morning walk. I’ve packed the award well. It’s the first award I've won for a while. That’s not surprising, though, as I didn’t have complete control of the script nor final cut on “The Poet”.

I texted Jonnie just now to say that I felt guilty having receiving all the love and acclaim. In fairness we should be receiving it together. He texted back saying "You deserve the love."

11am
I’ve just had breakfast with Chris and Jim, two of the three festival directors. I’m not used to the level of talking I’ve done these past few days. If I'd been here one day longer I would have lost my voice. I learned how close the scores were between DEP and Earthworks – almost identical - both 4.7 out of 5. If they'd given DEP the Best Feature Film award as well as Best International Film, then we'd have two awards and Chris Odall would have got nothing. That would have been unfair. Chris Odall is a lovely guy and very talented.

I told Chris Loud, I came with the intention of winning an award but had come away with something even better - the assurance that the film works, that an audience can love it.

12.30pm
Jim just drove me to the airport and asked what the festival can do to make it better. I give him a couple of pointers but really there’s not much to say. They have done a beautiful job. The festival is brilliant and the people working for it like Kim, Gina, Yolanda, Martin and Robin are wonderful people.

5pm
In Texas again, waiting for the connecting flight. My voice has finally given out. I can’t say a word! Going through customs was fun, having to resort to sign language to tell them that the strange object in my hand luggage is a film festival award not a bomb.

Tuesday 27th April 2010 - 8.30am
As I got on the plane, I discovered that the place next to mine was taken by a huge black woman dressed strangely, even a trifle esoteric. As I settled into the 75% of my seat that was remaining she introduced herself as “Mary-Ann” and in a long slow southern drawl asked "Honey, are you an artist?"
I nodded, indicated that my voice was gone and mimed a film camera.
"Oh I see now, you're a director!"
I nodded again.
"Honey, you’ve got such sorrowful eyes. Don’t you worry, now. Everything will be just fine."

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