In the first three episodes we meet the family as they celebrate Karen and Bill's 25th anniversary. Later, daughter Cicily spends a college term in Nigeria, where she meets her first boyfriend but also gets caught up in the racial tensions between the students travelling with her. Meanwhile, Bill, a professional musician, plays a disastrous gig…

Reality: in black and white terms

Imagine being filmed daily for nearly two years. That's what happened to Karen Wilson and Bill Sims, a mixed-race couple who let Jennifer Fox into their lives. "I wanted to do a film about love and race," said Fox.

She obtained a small grant for her documentary, An American Love Story, but didn't get any further funding until the shooting was over. It took six months alone to log 1,000 hours of footage, create a database and make transcripts. Fox then put together a rough cut of two episodes.

After a series of delays, PBS eventually agreed to air nine installments. The BBC and Arte have also bought rights, and a book, web site and CD are now also planned.

"I wanted to show people that, as an interracial couple, we were exactly like they were," said Sims, whose family had final approval over the content.

"In the past, people haven't always accepted us," Wilson added. "But both our daughters were very receptive to the idea. And I think its a good historical document for our grandkids and great-grandkids."

The family's biggest fear is the reactions to An American Love Story from racist groups. "The film stands for everything they're against," Sims said. "But the family gets stronger every year," said his wife. "And the film has only strengthened it."

"I want to do fiction next," Fox said. "I need a change." Owen Levy