In reply to TobyA:
Yes she is my wife and main climbing partner. Its quite cute you are a little naive with who's who in UK climbing ... she is a good deal more influential than me. The opinions I express here are mine even if we have similar film tastes.
Back on subject, films are a staple of the festival and I think having talked to a few festival goers, I need to be clearer that I do think a bit of experimentation and change is a good thing. We will have to wait and see what others think of things overall but if there is a perceived problem, as I see it, it will be the festival as a whole won't have sensibly managed the good intentions.
On the plus side, for those on a budget, the wider range of venues has been retained so people should be able to get in somewhere and see what block they want and the free talks stuff has never looked better in the Basecamp (from Bonnington to Megos). Just a shame the camping is a bit damp.
On a personal taste issue Thornbridge beer is here again.