The most recent festival in which TFII participated has drawn to a close. Thanks to everyone who came. It made me remember just how important it is to watch films in the theatre. I know they are becoming increasingly expensive, but do treat yourself to it occasionally. Unless you have a real home theatre—a big, dark, quiet room with a projector and surround sound system—there is a notable difference. As a film-maker I like to watch the audience's reaction so I have an additional incentive to go, but it is worth it even without that.

I just received an e-mail from the organizers about the results:

Best Documentary: The Play
Best Short Film: Crash

Best Documentary Audience Award: The Restorer
Best Short Film Award: Crash

Crash is a Tarantinoesque heist film—a perennial favorite genre—with intersecting plots. Congratulations to the director, Umut Aral. No doubt he will be using his prize money to pay off his debts and fund his next film.

The festival was concluded with Nuri Bilge Ceylan's latest film, İklimler ("Climates"), which won the FIPRESCI (the film critics) Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. His last film, Uzak, was a hit there too. I think his sensibilities are aligned with those of the French. I doubt any of his films would fare well in the States. The moral for film-makers is simple: know thy audience/critic.

A superb series of panoramic photographs, titled Turkey Cinemascope, taken during the scouting of the film, was present at the Thessaloniki Film Festival. Having seen them, I conclude he is better at photography. He has a truly gifted eye, but visuals alone do not make a good film. Can anyone honestly say they enjoyed the acting in Uzak (Distant)?