Film festival fun in the Lake District

I really should research locations before committing to them; apparently there's a difference between the Lake District and the Peak District. Quite a few hours difference, it turns out. Still, with a little schedule rejigging (ie; cancelled three schools and six private lessons), I was able to make the trip up to Keswick (LAKE DISTRICT) to watch our film, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late, being screened. Not only being screened, we opened the whole festival, the launch night of its 25th year, which is a bit of an honour. 

Two days previously, I'd spent a lot of money getting my car fixed. I quite like having a dodgy car. I've always had cars that have been, you know, on the edge. Bit of gaffer tape holding in the engine, odd noises. All adds to the adventure and 'struggling artist' vibe that I strangely crave. But the last few years I've had this nice car, which costs lots of money, but because of my teaching work I was able to afford it, and it just drove nicely, without any issues and, dare I say it, comfort. But that was 105k miles ago, and it was quite nice that it's started to show it's age now, it feels like a Richards car again. I got the timing belt and water pump fixed by a very nice man who did it for under £500, but I'm proud to say that I've driven for 10 hours in it over the last two days and it still has that weird rattle and faint burning smell. I like things this way.

Anyway, long drive up to Keswick (LAKE DISTRICT), checked in to the lovely little cottage I was given for the night and then met up with a few of the team (Jonnie - director, Barn - score composer, Andrew - executive producer) for a beer. Signed 100 promotional postcards with my weird little face on it, and then over to the cinema, where we met up with the wonderful hosts of the event and also my old pal, singer-songwriter Graham Parker, who provided us with a song for the movie and also has a cameo in it. 

The film sold out, both screens, so Jonnie and I had to introduce it in one room, and then run around and do the same in the other screen, before sitting back and letting audiences watch it. It's tough getting a film out there; I remember after the three weeks of filming and we were all knackered (because those three weeks were long, and stretched out for the best part of the year, with regular catch ups and audio bits to record) thinking we'd done the hard bit, but it turns out that was only just the start. The film has been screened at festivals in Dublin, Northampton, Cambridge (twice) and now Keswick (three times), as well as also being nominated for awards in Barcelona and, er, Swindon, winning a few things along the way (loads in Dublin, they like us there). Every time it gets screened it feels like a victory for us indie kids, and Keswick was another one of those. 

Following the screening, the Q and A onstage and the usual promo photo opportunities, we went over the road for a lovely little event hosted by the festival, a good buffet and plenty of wine, alongside some acoustic music in the background. Lots of mingling, met some interesting folk. Barn and myself in particular took full advantage of the free wine, but if you're gonna stagger back, at least it's nice to stagger in very pretty place like Keswick. 

The rest of the guys are there till tomorrow as there's another screening that morning but I drove back today, much to do, two new shows opening in 8 weeks' time...






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