The newly opened Jolly Hotel in the Media Park Cologne sprang to life when the Eurodoc crowd arrived for the last session of class 2000-2001. The swing doors weren't yet in operation and building work still in progress, nevertheless it didn't take us long to settle in nor deter us in our objective.

ARTICLE FOR ROUGHCUTS - LAST WEEK OF EURODOC IN COLOGNE

After warm and friendly greetings with fellow participants (lots of kissing on cheeks) and a welcome dinner we got down to the hard graft. The week flew by. It was intensive, challenging and stimulating. From the moment it began until departure it was non-stop. I felt like Meryl Streep in 'Death Becomes Her' - my head continually spinning around!

This final week was the climax to our blood, sweat and tears, which began in Athens last October. It was our opportunity to shine, to attract that all-important interest in our projects - it was 'meet the commissioner's week'. They came from all over Europe to the Jolly Hotel and contributed greatly to the electric atmosphere, although I have to say UK commissioners were conspicuous by their absence.

For the first two days we were holed up at the Cologne Film School preparing for the big meetings, discussing projects in our groups, anticipating difficult questions from commissioners and practicing our pitches, as well as attending plenary sessions and meeting with friendly local producers to share a story or two. And just to get us into a competitive frame of mind there was the ten pin bowling match between the staff of Eurodoc, the Commissioners, the French-speaking and English-speaking groups. (Cont. next page)