NIFF 2009 Opening Day

Normally, Newport International Film Festival starts with one film on the opening night. This year, with a new executive director at the helm, it was a full day of film. I'm back at the transportation desk, dispatching drivers to train stations, airports and round town to get everyone where they need to go. One of my favorite weeks of the year! Last night L1 fetched Jim Capobianco, of Pixar fame, from Boston, to join us for the screening of his short film Leonardo this morning. Jim presented his short, Your Friend the Rat, at NIFF last year. He was one of the screenwriters on Ratatouille and is an excellent presenter and animator. We're thrilled he's here. The opening night film was In the Loop, a satire with a wonderful cast. Mimi Kennedy and Zach Woods are here. As the parade of film makers walked by our desk, I was grinning like a kid in a candy store. It's going to be a fun week, lots of old friends, lots of interesting film folk and lots of great film. Stay tuned .......