I was so excited to be invited to the Baftas. I got the frock, researched all of the films and was ready to be amongst the alternative judging panel backstage.

The event took place in the Linbury Theatre of the Royal Opera House – right next door to the Orange British Academy Film Awards – we watched the ceremony live on a big screen and then shared our reactions to the night’s events with an expert panel led by Radio 4′s Francine Stock. In an informal and supposedly fun atmosphere, audience members joined in a lively debate, when they got the chance, with British film producer Stephen Woolley, Comedian Ben Miller and Time Out London’s Film Editor Dave Calhoun.

Plus, there was the opportunity to put questions to citation readers, industry insiders and BAFTA Award winners – including Leading Actor and Leading Actress winners Colin Firth and Carey Mulligan, and Supporting Actor winner Chritoph Waltz – were welcomed to the stage from the main auditorium. Colin Firth was very talkative and had sensible things to say about the British Film Industry. Carey Mulligan seemed somewhat overwhelmed and didn’t respond well without the help of a script. The only question I wanted to ask her was “where did you get your dress?”

It was a great experience. Francine Stock was not at her sparkling best,  but comedian Ben Miller livened things up. Stephen Woolley was interesting in his commentary on Avatar and the British film industry’s somewhat lukewarm response to it and wryly commented on James Cameron’s ex Katharine Bigelow winning the Bafta for the Hurt Locker. I suppose Avatar will probably get an Oscar. I can only speak from experience but the film made me feel queasy and I had to leave half way through. I think sick bags should be provided along with the 3d glasses for those of us who suffer from motion sickness. 

Sadly Vanessa Redgrave did not do herself justice in her response to becoming a fellow and I felt that she should have been rescued when it became obvious that she was overwhelmed by the occasion.

I would definitely go again and it’s refreshing to think that at least some of the “great unwashed British cinema goers”  like myself, to quote Colin Firth, who incidentally is even more handsome in real life, were able to share this great occasion.