I just got a letter of invitation from the Mumbai International Film Festival. My film has been selected to screen in-competition and they want me in Bombay next week!

They’re paying for my accommodation and ScreenWest will (probably) come to the party for the flight. When I get there, it’ll be bread and water for tea!

All this is right after me doing a podcast called Filmaking is the new rock ‘n’ roll. I had no idea that filmmaking really could be the new rock n roll. It’s definately a rock n roll lifestyle – shooting off to exotic locations at the drop of a hat. It’s not a rock n roll lifestyle in that you don’t get paid. Filmmakers don’t have managers. Well, this one doesn’t.

I actually have the flu right now (so stand back a bit) so wasn’t feeling in the mood to go anywhere. But the thing is – you can’t really not accept such an invitation. How often does such an opportunity come around? I’ve had films in festivals before, but I’ve never been invited to one. It sometimes means that they want you there to collect some kind of award or give a speech. It’s very embarrassing for a festival to give an award without the recipient being in attendance.

Awards are realy crap, but they give you kudos when it comes to getting cash for say, a feature. They also come with prize money. In Mumbai – that’ about AUS$3-7,500 if you win. Which would be nice. I have a lot of bills to pay. But I’m not getting too excited about winning anything.

I’m pretty sure they have the internet over there, so I’ll definately post my adventures for you – my meagre, but well-loved audience. I hope you can feel the love … Because I am giving it…

I had to do a search on the internet. Nobody told me Bombay had changed its name to Mumbai.

From various sources on the internet: "The name comes from the name of one of the old Koli goddesses, Mumba Devi, a temple to whom now stands in Bhuleshwar. The name Bombay may have got attached to the British settlement as an English corruption of the Portuguese description of the harbour, Bom Bahia, meaning good bay."

So “A Stone Throw” has finally been accepted into a festival. Mumbai. It will screen in India next February. Which means I can now organise for a local screening. Cast and crew have been stopping me in the streets – as if the shoot was just a dream. At three days (and a hefty 3 months post-production) – it seems like a dream.

Since making the film, I’ve been putting my energy into Geoffrey – trying to get in a bit of cash. I’m doing a website and e-marketing campaign for Sue Taylor’s feature Last Train to Freo (the link is to Taylor Media as the site ain’t up yet).

We didn’t get into Clermont-Ferrand. Maybe it was the 3629 other entrants! They selected 77 films – most of which were shot on 35mm.

Last thought: If I were an international film festival with 3630 registered film entries, I’d have some kind of quality assurance test in place. Films shot on 35mm look much better than films finished on tape. No matter what the content. Right?