Firstly thanks for inviting me to the Soho screening of "Gone Fishing". I chose not to write until Cannes was out of the way, as I imagined you would be far too busy.

I'm probably not going to write anything too original as I'm sure you've been snowed under by positive feedback. Anyway, congratulations – "Gone Fishing" was beautiful, moving and high quality in terms of writing, performances, and technical execution.

My dear wife, comes from an artistic family, and like me has worked in films, TV, commercials etc (some big budget, some low). She always tells me what she honestly thinks, and she had nothing but praise for the film. From my standpoint, I should also be honest and tell you that I've never been a big fan of shorts. Perhaps I should watch more. God knows how you did it, but in 13 minutes you crafted a story with the set up, climax, gentle (not forced) ending, and created characters I cared about.

It must mean something that for several hours after the screening, and the following day, I kept revisiting "Gone Fishing" in my mind. I watch a lot of feature films, and most don't have that effect on me.

To say the film on reflection reminds me in parts of "Jaws", and in others "XXXX XXX" (deleted so as not to spoil story) is unlikely to offend you, and it's certainly not meant to. "Gone Fishing" is a very original work. However, in my eyes at least, it is obviously the work of a filmmaker who loves films (including quality commercial ones). You can clearly write. You can handle actors. Technically, the film looked polished, first class.

I do imagine that "Gone Fishing" will convince producers/investors that you are up to the task of directing a commercial big budget 35mm feature film.

So that's enough analysis from me. You made a stuntman literally fight back tears with your 13minute film. So well done. And thank you, because even though my involvement was minimal, it is nice to have played a small part in a production I can be proud of.

Best Regards,