ALL work and no play isn't really my style.

It's been a busy few weeks and last weekend was even busier, mostly spent in meetings discussing 2014's European Parliament election.

Green Parties from across the EU have been trying to design a common campaign for next year.

It'll be difficult crafting a manifesto that's relevant right across Europe with such different situations facing countries like Germany and Greece, countries using the Euro and those with their own currencies, and countries with a very pro-Europe agenda and those more hostile to integration.

Scotland's context is even more different, as we'll be voting on independence just four months after the European Parliament election.

I'm sure most people who vote will give a lot of thought to Scotland's future: do they want Scotland to stay in one Union, both, or neither?

But it will be pretty hard in the run-up to the referendum to focus on the future of Europe itself.

It would be a mistake to lose sight of that question.

The countries using the Euro are moving closer to full political integration, while the big UK parties react to media hype about UKIP by edging toward a toxic mix of anti-Europe and anti-immigrant policies.

I doubt that our relationship with Europe can stay unchanged, however we vote on independence.

That relationship has a powerful effect on our economy, the protection of our environment, and a huge list of social justice issues.

It's really important that we speak up for Scotland's interests in Europe where decisions are being made which could lead us out of economic crisis and toward a fairer, greener and more democratic Europe, or further down the agenda of austerity, inequality and exploitation of people and the planet.

Now is not a time to ignore the choices being made in Europe.

But by next weekend I'll be due a little downtime, and Glasgow has some cinematic treats in store.

I have no shame in mixing a bit of Hollywood escapism with something more independent, so I'm being drawn both to the attractions of Star Trek on the Glasgow Science Centre's IMAX screen, and to the ever-so-slightly lower budget offerings at the Southside Film Festival.

The Festival is in its third year and will be taking screenings to some unique venues, from the Govanhill Baths to Cathcart Scout Hall, and from Pollok Ex-Servicemen's Club to the Glad Café.

That last one's where I'll be heading.

We Are Northern Lights, billed as Scotland's first crowd-sourced, mass- participation film- meaning it was made by people from all over the country, including experienced and first-time filmmakers and aiming to capture the diversity of modern Scotland.

http://www.south sidefilmfestival.net/

http://wearenorthern lights.com/