I had a brilliant fortnight interviewing, filming and generally following the wonderful volunteers of Manchester International Festival. Myself and Jim Dawson are working to make a film that shows the festival through the eyes of the volunteer, the best perspective as far are they (and we) are concerned. The festival couldn’t happen without the volunteers, and working with them has made me realise how crucial they are, not only to MIF but to so many events across the city. In the words of one volunteer the city ‘comes alive’ during festivals like these, and it’s a love of the city and maintaining it as a cultural centre of the UK, that seems to bring people in their hundreds to give up their time to make it all possible.