And thanks for the vibes for today!
We had a good screening for a 10AM weekday morning; people laughing and responding the the right places. And the panel was a lot of fun! There were 3 people from one film: 904, about how Jacksonville has one of the highest murder rates in the country (good thing I didn't know that before I took a walk along the river last night!) and the director of BREAKING AND ENTERING, about people trying to get into the Guiness Book of World Records. Our film was the first one of the festival, and some of the audience came over to the panel later. That had a light turnout, but a producer who has a studio in town came to that, a guy I used to work for 20 years ago! It was great to see him and he may have some work for me early next year.
A good friend of mine (former Turner producer) came to both events and then went out to lunch with me, the B&E folks, my "handler" and the travel coordinator and we all had a great time.
It turned out that I was the most experienced person on the panel ('cause I'm the oldest!!) and really had a lot more to say than I anticipated. My friend said that she loved seeing so much admiration lavished on my work and that I was getting the respect I deserved (that I don't get at Turner, she said.)
Now all I have left is the opening night party and opening night film, and then I'll fly home tomorrow AM. I feel happy and relieved and VERY TIRED! I'm going to sleep well tonight!