The Next Cannes?

When John Evans, (representing the Chamber of Commerce last night) first came to Hay, the Hay Festival was in its fourth year, and took place in a scatter of venues and tents across the town. Now the Film Festival is in its third year, and it is taking place in a scatter of venues across town.... So, he asked, what will it be like for its 25th year? Will Hay become like Cannes?
(At which Jo Eliot, of the Film Society committee, heckled "But we'll all be in our eighties!")
The first film in Booths Books, after the launch party, was The Draughtsman's Contract, and it was sold out. Elizabeth of Booths Books said that the purpose-built cinema, that is presently being built at the back of the complex of buildings that make up Booths Books, will definitely be ready to use for next year's Festival - but she wasn't going to confirm when it would be finished, exactly. I've been watching the builders at work as I go past the back of Booths, and it should look very fine when they finish.
The other important matter to announce was the winner of the window dressing competition - which was Haystacks in Backfold again, with Addymans as runners up (to some surprise - where I was standing, none of the people around me thought much of the Addymans display). Jane of the Sandwich Cellar collected the prize for Haystacks as, in the best tradition of the Oscars, the actual winner could not be with us.
I was with Elen and Jenny of Backfold Books and Bygones, and I had to admit that I hadn't noticed their window when I'd passed it earlier. So, after the party, I took Islay out in the trolley and went round. I suspect Jenny must have done it - she told me once that it's an old teaching trick, to make a frame for something so you look more carefully at the thing being framed. So it's a large card, covering the whole window, with postcards of old film stars stuck on it (the Carry On team are across the bottom), and squares cut out of it to showcase the cinema books on the shelves within.
I also looked at the Opticians, which was a very subtle autumnal display, with a signpost saying "Arbor 2 miles". The Arbor is one of the films in the Festival, about life on a northern council estate.
Adela's Dress Agency was also admired - they have gone for a sixties theme, with Mary Quant type dresses and a few cinema books and stills.
And after the films, the Late Night Piano Bar! Following their success at Hay Festival, Goffee has brought back the piano bar to Booths for cocktails and sophisticated entertainment from 9pm to 1am.