The SAVANNAH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in Georgia, USA, selected Summer Rain as an official presentation and offered to bring me to Savannah, all expenses paid, in September 2002.; that proved to be my first experience of a ‘Class A’ international film festival. Sadly, Summer Rain did not win any awards but it did screen in two enormous, recently restored cinemas to its primary target audience. Savannah hosts one of the largest art, film and performing colleges in America and all these students were actively encouraged to attend the festival which was hosted by the college. Hence, my film virtually sold out both screenings, in cinemas with nearly a thousand seats each. The student radio station played the soundtrack CD virtually constantly too.

Actually attending the Savannah film festival convinced me of the importance of going to festivals to actively support your film. Firstly, you are exposed to a new environment and travel gains you access to new experiences, points of view and cultures. Traveling to the ‘south’ was certainly an experience that I won’t forget. Secondly, you are exposed to a wonderful variety of films from all over the world and then can meet the film-makers to discuss and trade ideas with, many of whom I have stayed in touch with. Thirdly, you never know who you might meet. At the Q&A I gave at the Summer Rain screening Hollywood actor Jake Busey (Enemy of the State, Starship Troopers, Hitcher II) congratulated me on the film and even offered to be in my next movie. For a while, he let his name be attached to my screenplay FLAKE CITY, even though he wasn't suitable for it really. Still, a thoroughly decent chap.

I also went to a guest lecture by maverick film-maker John Waters. There was a special screening of THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN attended by Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds. However, the highlight for me was an intimate talk by Sydney Pollock and a full retrospective of his multi-Oscar winning films.

The photograph alongside is of Mr. Pollock receiving the contribution to cinema award. I met Mr. Pollock at the following party and were able to shake his hand, although he didn't have a clue who I was.

Both screenings of Summer Rain were received very well indeed, although I was my customary, nightmare, nervous, stressed self before hand on both occasions. Actually experiencing the enthusiastic audience reaction to my years of effort and hard work made the nightmare of making Summer Rain totally worthwhile.

Although, whilst I sat in the stalls watching the audience leave I did hear -

GIRL: What did you think?

BOY: Ahh... it was British.

One of my favourite moments was getting in the elevator with Geraldine Chaplin. Of course she had no idea who I was, but I was outrageously excited to be near her, as I had just seen Pedro's "Talk to her".

I met Debbie Reynolds at the bash in her honour and I also befriended the actor Harry Van Gorkum, a Brit and a judge at the festival.

I had a wonderful time and on my return to England I was delighted to learn that the DIRECTOR’S VIEW FILM FESTIVAL www.dvff.com had selected Summer Rain as an official presentation. They offered to pay for the hotel if I made my own way there in February 2003. The festival took place in Connecticut and screened films in Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, New Canaan and Westport.

Jonathan before the first screening of Summer Rain in Savannah