Guest Blogger

Last night was great. The opening night party was in an amazing old tobacco warehouse that had been renovated and they were turning people away. I ran into Michael Tucker (Gunner Palace, Bulletproof Salesman) and the father of cinema verité Albert Maysles (see pic). Albert is still making films and he was leaving for another festival that morning and then some more – incredible. What an exhausting and fun day – I had to meet with Jon Reiss (Bomb It) really early this morning to go over some work related stuff and we found a spot at Registration with a nice sofa and chairs and before we knew it we were joined by the majority of jury members including Gary Hustwit who had his film about the font Helvetica at the fest last year, R.J. Cutler (The War Room) and Mary Kerr, Executive Director, Robert Flaherty Film Seminar.

I ended up wandering over to the screening of Bomb It at a new venue and it was packed and the audience loved it. From the opening quote they were laughing and clapping throughout – I forgot what a great soundtrack the film has and the volume was cranked up which was great. On the shuttle bus back to the Marriott I listened to a conversation by a bunch of kids who just came form the screening and they were psyched. Hope they weren't on their way to buy spray paint. Back at the Marriott, I meet Tom Zandra from Red Envelope Entertainment at the restaurant. Unbeknown to us, Working Films were about to have a reception and before we knew it we were joined by Robert West and Judith Helfand and about 50 other people. I saw Annie Sundberg (The Devil Came on Horseback) come in and rush off to her jury dinner – there are loads of juries at this fest I am really curious to find out who wins the audience award.

After dinner, I plan to see Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss' new film Full Battle Rattle. It's screening after At the Death Door House by Steve James and Peter Gilbert (Hoop Dreams) I saw the film at SXSW and it's an unflinchingly original film about the death penalty and really powerful. The Full Frame audience will be in for a treat.

I hear there are two BBQ places close by called Mama Dips and Allan & Sons. I think I may hit the streets of Durham and maybe Chapel Hill see if I can find them — so much for the diet!

The weather is a little better but it's been raining – I hope it's nice tomorrow... Oh maybe not — I need people to come to the panel!