One of the features of this year's Australian Film Festival was the Geoffrey Rush showcase on Saturday. It was rather tiny showcase, lasting, as it did, only one day. It did, however, provide the opportunity to watch Shine, Rush's very first film. Thankfully he's made all the right career moves since then. His Oscar may have made the American-centric audience go into a bit of a tizzy, but there is no doubt regarding his versatility and talent.

Director Hicks (Snow Falling on Cedars, Hearts in Atlantis) has done well for himself too, both in his Hollywood and documentary careers. He was at the screening, accompanied by SFS President Kenneth Tan, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he would be giving a talk after the film. Hick regaled us all with stories and snippets about the making of the film. From funding troubles to encounters with Harvey Weinstein (co-founder of Miramax) to actor idiosyncracies (Noah Taylor who plays the young Helfgott had a piano phobia) and more. I stayed for as long as I could and was almost sorry to leave. But I had to meet Amanda and David.

We eventually ended up at a faux-Norwegian eatery called Skal, 'cos it was the only place nearby that didn't required standing in line for an hour. Prices were ok and the decor tried its best to look upmarket but the food portions could be larger. We weren't expecting too much however, since the management was the same people behind cheap conveyor-belt sushi chain Sakae Sushi. Amanda and David's friend May-ann joined us (Hi May-ann! *wave*) too.