Wow just been at a wonderfully strange festival in oxford called [1] Oxdox which is run by a wonderful woman called Marie Wright who is as passionate as crazy like me I feel. Maybe we share the same chaotic madness.

Her new venue for the festival was as much an adventure as the amazing films Oxdox shows. A tiny 100 seater indie place where the projectionist is hidden upstairs above the ticket office. The only way up is by some iron ladders on the exterior of the building.

Inside, the projectionist tells me he is also the owner. His wife is helping repair some of the interior seats. They run the place together making next to nothing. A worthy subject of a film itself I feel. I am speechless. This man is amazing.

Outside the queues forms. Clearly more then can be catered for inside. Marie does exactly what I would do in such a situation sending off her volunteers to find chairs in nearby bars and cafes. But here out on the street in front of her queuing audience she he is grappling for cash to pay my travel. Thrusting hundred or so pounds in my hands thinking out load about the Eskimo she has brought over who is the subject of the next film.  She must appear quite mad to many but to me she is quite sobering and sane…

But there is a problem. So successful a screening is the Eskimos film that there is no seat for him inside.

I leave Marie with her problem but I feel happy for her and for Oxdox; a truly unique festival in the hands of a unique person who I think should be celebrated in her own film like the projectionist and owner of this wonderful independent theatre where the festival takes place.

To top it all as I leave I get a call from Nizam a friend from Norway who tells me my Japan film has won the top international documentary prize in Norway. Damn I wish I was there. Of all the films I’ve made this is the one I need to win an award and I wish I was there to accept it.

Oxdox - [2] http://www.oxdox.com/2009festival/