I am told that the JAPAN season which ‘Japan: A Story of Love and Hate’ is part of, is now being trailered on TV, my film will be the final film on Monday 30^th March, 9pm BBC4. To be repeated on BBC2.

I’ve been away researching recently, this time in Dubai, and Damascus, I am also awaiting a response from the BBC about my ‘next’ project – and have also put in new idea about Hull, having been asked to so by BBC4 who are planning a season of films called ‘The North’.

Had 2 great screenings in Helsinki; One World Festival, very great fest, great people, great country one of my favs. I talked about going back and doing a workshop.

Enjoyed hot sauna’s and jumping into icy lake, sadly Nick Broomfield who I was naked with failed to jump in; I later caught him lying about his bravery in the shower. And gave him a lesson in documentary truth.

He was having a retrospective there, it was great to spend time with him and Barney his son, also the great master Ricky Leacock was the special guest with the funny and quite crazy Valarie who I went shopping with and bought a few vodka’s with.

Tempo festival Sweden, [1] http://www.tempofestival.se/english/  film plays soon. I have no invite.

Friday 7.30 One World Festival Prague, Japan… plays Friday night, I always look forward to this one, I remember Settlers opening the festival there one year and playing to a great vibrant audience.

Will also take part in a documentary discussion on Sat 4pm with another film maker Joe Berliner about ‘truth’ in film making.

Following Friday night at 10.30 film plays in gorgeous little fest in Valencia Spain, film fest called Play Doc fest. [2] http://www.play-doc.com/English/ seems very select, only 6 films in competition, and very politically aware, careful to choose films that matter.

Did 2 master classes’ couple of weeks back at Cardiff University.

Will do a talk soon at Salford university media school.

Beldocs is 8 - 12th April

Oxdox - Oxford doc fest, film showing Friday eve 7.30 24th April. Getting all prime time spots.

Showing a favourite film and mini retrospective at the frontline club, Friday 17th April, 7pm, hosted by Nick Fraser, BBC Storyville Editor… (I’m thinking of showing Settlers, a much unseen film of mine)

21 - 26th Norwegian documentary film festival, screening to be confirmed.

One day open-to-all master class and film in MAY, dates to be confirmed, at the London Film School in Covent Garden London.

2 screenings of Liberace of Baghdad in May (dates to be confirmed) in a series of the best of British doc at the Cinematheque / Danish Film Institute.

Docaviv in tel Aviv is 7 - 14th may, Japan is in competition, another great fest in great place. I love Israel despite its problems, great friends either side of the wall.

7th edition of Escenarios / Sights 2009 International Documentary Conference in Mexico City has selected Japan: a story of love and hate, 3rd - 11th July, invited to do a master class and maybe also show settlers.

[3] http://www.flahertiana.ru/eng/2009/ International documentary film festival at Flahertiana Perm city in Russia. Invited to show Japan in competition. 16-22.october 2009

Ok, think that’s it for now.