It seemed by all indication that I had brought Portland’s wet and wintry weather with me on Friday. Just a few hours before I was telling my wife how I was looking forward to wearing shorts and having a nice hour or two at the beach…no such luck. I arrived at the Harbor Inn hotel in Santa Barbara around 4pm after being picked up in a very nice limo. My room was overlooking the ocean and my jaw dropped when I saw that the normal room price was $425 a night! Thank God I was not paying for it! I was thinking to myself…yeah, I could get used to living like this. This was all courtesy of the great people at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

But on to more important things…later that night I went to see a tribute to Kate Winslett - the incredible actress from Titanic and most recently, The Reader. The event was held in the Arlington Theater a really wonderful place to hold a screening or an event.

The following morning there was a press event at the Harbor Restaurant - an upscale place on the pier looking out and literally down upon the ocean. The local press were there to meet all the documentary filmmakers (and for a free breakfast!); it was a bit strange for I had 4 different people take my picture - same picture, same location; God knows what the pictures were for - for I doubt anyone wants to put my face on any front cover! However, I got to meet some great filmmakers and some press and hopefully some of them will review the film…

The screening of Everest: A Climb for Peace was later that evening. It was held at the Santa Barbara Museum of  Modern Art. I was worried that people would not show up because at the same time there was a tribute to Penelope Cruz going on. And so I was going up again Penelope! The theater at the museum (which was very nice by the way!) holds about 160 people and happily we essentially had a full house! I started the screening by giving a short introduction about myself and the film and then we proceeded to watch the 63 film. The audience reception seemed excellent and most of the people in attendance stayed for the 20 minute Q & A session that followed. It was definitely a success and it is always fabulous to show and speak to an enthused and engaged audience about your film!

I was also very happy that my friend and fellow filmmaker Rick Ray (10 Questions for the Dalai Lama -  www.thedalailamamovie.com) came from his home in LA to support me and the film. Rick brought his wife Sharon and 3 of kids.  After the screening was the best part of the night: chocolate cake and ice cream! We found a nice restaurant that served dessert and had an eventful time chatting about films, politics, and the job market…It was great seeing Rick and meeting his lovely wife.

The following day was a gathering put together by The Fund for Santa Barbara (www.fundforsantabarbara.org) - we met in a small art gallery that held about 100 more people than I thought it could! The event was for the documentary filmmakers and their films that were nominated for their 10th Annual Social Justice Award. And so I had the opportunity to once again meet some wonderful filmmakers and film patrons from Santa Barbara and from all over the world. The winner of the award will be announced on February 1st; my fingers are crossed that my film will win!

Well, as quickly as I arrived it seemed I had leave. From the event I ran to my hotel to catch a ride back to the Santa Barbara Airport - one of the smallest airports I have ever seen…and back today to the surprisingly sunny Portland! Thank you Santa Barbara Film Festival for a wonderful time and thank you Beyond Words - www.Beyondword.com  (my DVD distributor) for providing my ticket to Santa Barbara!

Rick Ray with Lance Trumbull in Santa Barbara