[Nova Sodor]

Joshua Steel, an agent with the Sodor Film Association glanced around the The Gordon's atrium confident that no expense had been spared in ensuring that Suddery's famous five star hotel was up to the task of hosting the IDU Film Festival - an event at which the SFA were a main sponsor.

Chandeliers illuminated the replica movie posters from days gone that adorned the walls whilst fixtures and fittings, polished to within an inch of their lives, sparkled and shone. Nostalgic film memorabilia was positioned discreetly around the atrium although the centre piece, Jack Conway's black 1956 Cadillac Eldorado from 'Devil's Road' sat proudly in front of the doors. The bar staff were in the process of checking stock to ensure that the promised complimentary drinks would not be in short supply.

The first representatives were due to arrive shortly and Joshua knew that they would likely have flown into the newly renovated Maron Airport before taking a bullet train through a few miles of lush forest south into Suddery, the island's capital. SFA representatives posted at Central Station would then direct the attendees into the city's fully integrated public transportation network - an essential part of the Island's infrastructure given its car free nature - to the Gordon Hotel where each had been allocated a suite for the duration of their stay.

Across the atrium he saw Max Turner, an executive with Suburban Cohort Films Tanned and possessed of a healthy appearance like most Nova Sodrians Max was, at present, on his mobile phone perhaps finalising details of Sodor's own offering at the festival - a thriller named 'Thirty Six Percent'. Details of the film had been kept secret even from the SFA and Joshua was looking forward to seeing what the enigmatic title referred to.

One of the lifts across the lobby chimed to indicate it's arrival and Joshua looked up to see the first representatives had arrived. Smiling he walked over. "Hi I'm Joshua Steel with the SFA. Welcome to the film festival - can I interest you in a complimentary drink?"

[Nova Sodor]

Joshua was impressed - the quality and depth of the entries so far was significant.

For a nation rated as among the top 2% in terms of most cultured Nova Sodor's offering was very 'block buster' by comparison.

That said Suburban Cohort had a track record of producing 'future classics' so perhaps 'Thirty Six Percent' might not fare too badly after all.

Joshua's purpose to vote on behalf of Nova Sodor was made particularly difficult by the instruction from the board that he was not allowed to chose 'Thirty Six Percent'.

Taking a sip of coffee to wash the mouthful of tuna melt baguette down he once more perused the entries to consider their various merits.

[Gnejs]

Agnes Kavat, the Minister of Culture for the current PUG-government circles the room, with Jens Brisk - the director of the Gnejsian entry - in tow.

"Decided yet?" Brisk enquirers, as they pass a group of Bears in dapper suits.

"Yes, more or less. Not terribly challenging, really." Kavat says as she accepts a glass of sparkling stuff from a teenager with a bow tie

"Oh? I thought there was a lot of good stuff there. No clear-cut winner, if you ask me."

"But you're not being asked. I am. And I like the movie with Bear-lovers. Stunning, if you ask me. I'm voting for that one."

"Did you hear that voting for your own nation's entry is actually allowed? I'm sure it won't be frowned upon or anything, probably."

"I'm not voting for your 'hand-held-camera-northern-intentionally-confusing-soap-opera', Brisk."

"That's harsh, we got great reviews."

"Only because nobody understood it, and fear to admit it. What about the foreign entries, I'll have your opinion on those."

"A Dog in the Wolf's Lair."

"Agreed. Let me just send this off to the secretariat:

Votes (PUG):
Best IDU Film - The Tale of Bearren and Lursienne
Best Foreign Film - A Dog in the Wolf's Lair

There we go, duty done. Now, let's mingle with the Sodorians. Where's that agent with the SFA I saw earlier."

[Nova Sodor]

Joshua sipped his coffee and contemplated the films from which he had to choose.

For best IDU film The Tale of Bearren was pure epic and the amount of effort that had been put into the masterpiece was obvious to anyone and whilst he had really enjoyed the coming of age movie with a dark twist 'About a Souffl?' and the heart wrenching trials portrayed in 'Defenders of Kamchatka' he felt had to go for Bearren.

From the two entries for best foreign film he'd decided on 'Dog in a Wolf's Lair'. Zwangzug's 'Outside the Lines' had appealed for the way it told of four people pulled together in common cause but the grittiness of 'Wolf' had won him over.

He thought to himself that it was a shame that only 'The Society of the Red Rose' was entered under the classics category. He remembered fondly watching the movie as an awestruck nine year old, okay perhaps that was because of the epic battle scenes and the assets of the female lead but nevertheless. It would have been a strong contender even if there had been other films in the running but since there weren't......

Votes

Best IDU film - The Tale of Bearren and Lursienne

Best Foreign Film - Dog in a Wolf's Lair

Best IDU Classic - The Society of the Red Rose

His votes cast he glanced up to see the Gnjes delegation approaching him. Flashing a sincere smile he called out, "Agnes, Jens - how are you both? How are you enjoying Suddery?' He nodded at the bar. Now business is done - well at least until the announcements - it's time for something a little stronger than coffee....and the first round is on me."

[Trive]

Trivian Culture Minister Ferdinand Ostoyevsky sits with the Trivian delegation.

"So, which one?" - he said.

"We really liked the Defenders of Kamchatka."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, I shall cast the vote. What about Best Foreign Movie?"

"The one with that farmer looks better than the other."

"Ok then, I'll go."

[Laeral]

Best IDU Film: The Tale of Bearren and Lursienne
"Funny", remarked the Laeralian Ambassador, "That seems to have some resemblance to another movie from somewhere-I can't quite recall."
Classics of the IDU: The Society of the Red Rose
The Ambassador fondly remembered watching the classic when he had been around 15. He'd admired the epic battle scenes, the sweeping plot, and of course the assets of the female lead. He remembered afterward having intense discussions with his friends about whether Freia or Ceris would have been better to have as a girlfriend. Good times...
Best Foreign Film: Outside the Lines
The Ambassador had enjoyed the film.