TCFF2008, photo by Gary L Howe

Before we get to John Williams latest post, note that the woman above is Italian director - and new TCFF board member Sabina Guzzanti. Also pictured are festival co-founder and author Doug Stanton (far right) and our intrepid insider blogger, John Robert Williams…

Wednesday, 6:30pm

Live! From my hammock!

I have just dashed home (on one of the few remaining bikes we have) to attempt a meal. I'm all alone for a few seconds of silence, thus, time to make notes.

OK….weather cannot get any better than this any where on earth! Period! Day one of the TCFF panels was a hoot. It is a MUST to attend! Such wonderful brain power in one room, chatting for our benefit. I sat in the audience with film maker/ director/ wonderful person Laura Winter, creator of "Baghdad High" a film I can't wait to see. She is so astute. Her quote, describing the TCFF and Traverse City as " like slipping into a warm bath, so comfy and cozy". How poetic. We ARE worthy! Thank you fellow citizens, for being so gracious to our visitors! She flew into TC from the UK to present her poetic film. At the panel, the Ugandan subjects from "War Dance" a hit from last years FF and Oscar Nominee, Dominic and John, were in attendance. Laura clicks with her film into these boys visit and how do you figure this: her high school star from Iraq meeting two Ugandan war refugees in Traverse City, over their films. The United Nations just moved here! Art and humanity. So much for "Just Great Movies"!!! This still is "old home Week" in TC, as so many have returned to town to inhale their Festival. We are so blessed!

Today was the annual TCFF board of directors Meeting. We officially added Christine Lahti and Sabina Guzzanti to our board of 5 guys. So, this local yokel, the town clown, me…..I'm sitting in a room for 3 hours with co-founder Doug Stanton, Christine, Sabina, Larry Charles and Michael Moore. Where is the disconnect? Pinch me! Hello, yesterday I was doing the lowliest grunt work at the STATE, getting it ready for opening night, and now I'm sitting in a room of A-listers! And we were worring about our A+ Lister visitor on Saturday night. 120 press credentials have been issued for Madonna's visit to the STATE Theatre, just 3 days from now.

We did get a way cool offer from Larry Charles, that I need to break to you. He has offered to have dinner, yet this week, with the highest bidder. The funds will go directly to installing the sprinkler system. In the STATE. We have not worked out how to do this yet, but the hottest ticket this year (other than the Madonna crush which was NOT during regular ticket sales) is for Larry's new film "Religulous". Larry did confirm that this WILL be the world premiere of the movie!!! How lucky can we get? So, when we figure out how to do this auction, we will let you know. This is a once in a lifetime chance. Get your check books ready.

Now it's "The Youngest Candidate", Jason Pollacks new doc. And Looney Tunes at the Open Space. Fingers crossed, day one of the full FF is great!