So another successful film festival has come and gone. In the end, I worked 60 hrs over 9 shifts, watched 12 films and saw just a handful of celebrities. This festival year had a different vibe than my previous years at the fest, as both a staff member and an attendee. Mostly, this is due to not being part of the irreplaceable mass of volunteers. I’ll admit that I still get warm and fuzzy during the little “Thanks to our volunteers” trailer they played at the start of each movie. Especially when the theatre audience claps (and woots!).

Of the films I watched, I would have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by “Perrier’s Bounty” and “The Last Days of Emma Blank“. In fact, I like the latter film so much that I felt compelled to get my ticket stub autographed by actress Annet Malherbe, who was present for a Q&A, alongside the film’s producer. The biggest surprise for me, however, was a sweet little film from Mexico, “Alamar” (To the Sea), about a little boy and his father sharing a few days together, fishing and snorkelling, before the boy is to fly off to Italy with his mother. Listed as a drama, it was shot more like a documentary, but without narration or intrusiveness. Away from city life, it’s clear that their relationship is so honest and simple. It’s a beautifully shot film that I recommend to anyone that could use a reminder as to why we should make time to get away sometimes.

Having said that, returning to my retail job tomorrow morning won’t be the same again after these last two weeks.