Ingrid Veninger concludes her week of reports from Slamdance. Her CFC feature Nurse.Fighter.Boy, directed by Charles Officer (www.nursefighterboy.ca), opens in Toronto and Vancouver on Feb. 6 through Mongrel Media.

Day five — Wednesday, Jan. 21

9 a.m.: I spend the whole morning e-mailing distributors and media announcing our final screening of Only. We get a positive review on www.hammertonail.com by Michael Tully and it helps us huge.

4 p.m.: We receive interest from two U.S. distributors. I expect a deal to be sealed before Berlin. Obviously, big stuff happens in Park City, but it’s cool when it happens to a friend. Last night, Miranda De Pencier screened a feature, Adam, in Sundance competition. She told me they got a standing ovation, and this morning the papers announced that her film was scooped by Fox Searchlight.

6 p.m.: Before our second and final Slamdance screening I get some intense news about the health of a friend and begin to cry during my introduction. I dedicate the screening to her. The audience ranges from people in their early 20s to late 60s. The Q&A is our best ever and spills into the lobby.

9 p.m.: My friend Simon Reynolds and I get treated to dinner by our sales agent, Rob Straight from Horizon Motion Pictures. We discuss everything about the future of Only, including upcoming screenings in Milan, Rome and Berlin’s EFM. We also talk about organizing some kind of theatrical release in Canada. It comes down to money. We already have one week in Saskatoon in April. Maybe we can do a second week in Parry Sound, ON, where Only was shot. Simon promises to contact Bobby Orr.

Day six — Thursday, Jan. 22

12 p.m.: I catch the last minutes of an insurance and legal panel at Slamdance before heading to Sundance to screen Topaz Adizes’ short film, Trece Anos, which was shot in Cuba. Adizes is a friend, and the film is relevant and real.

4 p.m.: Walking along Main Street I spot a party promoting The People Speak. I’ve heard about this project, actually more of a ‘movement.’ The party is in full swing. On the dance floor Wyclef Jean is kickin’ it up. I head to the patio and see Woody Harrelson talking to Simon. They both worked on a movie called The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. I want to document the reunion with a picture. Woody hesitates for a moment and then says, ‘Yeah, sure, okay.’ I approach historian and veteran activist Howard Zinn and say thank you — that’s it. Mr. Zinn looks me right in the eyes and smiles. I have a conversation with the CEO of Sohomuse ‘for the creative nomad’ and I dance before leaving. I hug Wyclef and he hugs me back.

6 p.m.: Slamdance happy hour. The event is packed. An intense and illuminative filmmaker approaches me saying he likes my dreadlocks. His name is Kweisi Gharreau. His brother was a victim of gang violence and his film is about meeting and forgiving his brother’s killer.

8 p.m.: Simon and I meet with six filmmakers at a nearby pub. We go around the table sharing ‘one word’ that encapsulates our Slamdance experience. Zombie Girl co-director Justin Johnson says, ‘together.’ Immersion producer Kit Fox says ‘groovitude.’

Zombie Girl co-director Aaron Marshall says ‘family,’ filmmaker Tim Steinmetz says ‘inspiring,’ Gharreau says ‘opportunity,’ my partner Simon says ‘real,’ and I say ‘openness.’ Then, we all dance and celebrate this moment in time. My next stop: Berlin.