The highlight of any devoted Coen fan’s year, last weekend saw the return of the extraordinary Lebowski Fest. Currently in its seventh year, the festival, which began as just a small of gathering of wanabe-Dudes from Louisville, now commands a formidable global following.

For those not au-fait with the fest; it’s basic principle is to give fans the excuse to meet, greet, swap hilarious Coen trivia and quote Lebowski line-for-line at any given opportunity ('Shomer Shabbas!'). Spanning an entire weekend, the progamme consists of film screenings, nightlong-unlimited bowling, themed games, White Russians, Sarsaparillas, Oat Sodas, and, the climax of the festival, a costume contest. Stretching their imagination ever further beyond the straggly hair, pyjama bottoms and sandals, goateed-look, this year saw some of the most commendable efforts to date; the rug, and the pope (‘Does the pope shit in the woods?’) proving particularly popular.

If you too enjoy sipping oat sodas to the sound of crazed Coenites, you’ll be glas to hear that London also has a name for hosting such parties, although there’s no news of any planned for the near future. Hopefully this level of enthusiasm will soon be making its way to the cinema screens themselves. Nevermind 3-D, we need real spectator involvement..Everyone who has ever witnessed Sing-a-long cinema  at the Prince Charles will testify that audience participation does wonders for the cinema experience, so why not make it a real occasion with a little fancy dress or film-themed nibbles? Now theres an idea..

Charlotte Balnave