In October, I’ll be participating in the International Filmmaker Film Festival, taking place in Kent, UK. I’m very grateful to Carl Tooney, the director of the festival, for inviting me. I encountered Carl at the Madrid International Film Festival, that took place this past June and where one of our client films, Kumpania, screened to a packed theater. The Madrid festival was in its first edition and I was intrigued by Carl’s efforts and ambition. Aside from Madrid and Kent, he’s organizing film festivals in Tenerife in the Canary Islands, and in St Tropez, in France. In his words, the purpose of the festivals is to help new filmmakers to get exposure for their first films, as well as to get direct advice from film professionals, such as Chris van Someren and Neil McEwan. And, now, for Kent, me. The main idea is to schedule one-on-one meetings with the visiting filmmakers, to discuss their work, and their goals, and give them some sound advice. I’m also helping Carl to get the word out about the festival. It’s a great privilege for these locations, I think, to have access to new independent films, free of cost, and it would be a shame for residents of Kent and any nearby regions to lose this opportunity. So, if you see this post, please spread the word. And come to Kent! The films will be screening in a stunning location, the Saint Augustine’s Conference Centre in Westgate on Sea, Thanet. I know that Chris, Neil and I will enjoy watching all the films on October 10 and 11, and will do our best to provide the filmmakers with tidbits of knowledge and experience that can contribute to the success of their work — but what is most important for a filmmaker is the audience. The filmmaker needs the sounds of the audience in the room, and the feedback of the viewers. Without this, a film is like one hand clapping.