Festival (2005 Annie Griffin & scr)

Black comedy set at the Edinburgh Fringe, populated by self-obsessed alcoholic and strange comedians, critics, judges and fans. Multiple story strands involve star Stephen Mangan, Raquel Cassidy (Uncle, Downton, Lead Balloon) and wannabe comedienne Lucy Punch; Chris O'Dowd, Billy Carter and journalist Daniela Nardini; Lyndsey Marshal and Clive Russell as performers; agent Stuart Milligan and jurors Richard Ayoade and Tom Goodman-Hill; and Canadian troupe staying in Amelia Bullmore's house (her husband always has the baby).

With an eccentric score by Jim Sutherland this is a darkly funny and scathing look at the business of comedy (in which hardly anyone is happy). Has some outrageously funny scenes (holistic nurse; Scottish lad who walks in off the street) and tender (Bullmore tidying up her own house; husband dictating murder report while holding baby). Really doesn't need the wanking or fisting scenes, though. (Maybe that's why we hadn't watched it since 2006.)

Griffin had previous success with TV series The Book Group but since the (I suspect) failure of this is now largely a TV director.

Shot by Danny Cohen.