Why sit at home scrolling through the conventional? Our programmers trolled through dozens of films from all over the world. They watched films til their eyeballs were bleeding. From this long list, our programmers selected 10 films you should see at Raindance this year.
These films are nothing like the ones you see on Netflix. Treat yourself. See a film in person!
Festival starts October 27 and runs through til Saturday November 6th.
Come join us! Celebrate the very best of independent cinema from around the world.
10 Films You Should See At Raindance
1.Listen
Director Ana Rocha de Sousa United Kingdom / Portugal, UK Premiere
When? October 30, 2021, 6:00 pm Where? Curzon Soho Tickets
Why? Best UK Feature Nominee, Best Performance for Lucia Moniz Nominee
On the outskirts of London, a Portuguese couple are struggling financially. When a misunderstanding arises at school over their deaf daughter, the British social services grow concerned for the safety of the children. Listen portrays the tireless battle of these immigrant parents as they struggle to keep their family together.
2.Helmut Lachenmann – My Way
Director Wiebke Pöpel, Germany, UK Premiere
When? November 5, 2021, 3:40 pm Where? Genesis Tickets
Why? For fifty years, German composer Helmut Lachenmann has shaped contemporary music with his “noise music” – in which violinists use all parts of their instruments, trumpeters crackle with baking paper, and water-filled horns are played. The film approaches this music and its captivating protagonist in a personal, engaging and humorous way.
3.The Day I Found A girl In The Trash
Director Michał Krzywicki, Poland, International Premiere
When? November 5, 2021 6:00 pm Where? Genesis Tickets
Why? International Premiere, Best Cinematography Nominee
Former social activist Szymon announces that he wants to commit suicide on his streaming channel on New Year’s Eve of 2028. By doing so, he wants to make an ultimate statement against slavery in Poland. Then, one day before the event, he finds an abandoned slave-girl in the trash.
4.All Sorts
Director J. Rick Castañeda United States of America, International Premiere
When? November 6, 2021 6:00 pm Where? Curzon Hoxton Tickets
Why? A lonely data entry clerk finds himself in the strange and bizarre office of Data-Mart, where he meets June, an incredibly fast filer. Together they journey into the underground world of championship folder filing, where it’ll take everything to make it to the top, alphabetically speaking.
5.As Far As I Know
Director Nándor Lőrincz, Bálint Nagy Hungary, UK Premiere
When? November 5, 2021 6:00 pm Where? Curzon Hoxton Tickets
Why? Best Discovery Nominee
In this powerful cinematic debut, a young married couple struggle to navigate their relationship after the wife is raped by a stranger. As Far As I Know is a complex examination of gender discrimination and an uncomfortable exposure of the internalised biases in the legal structures of society.
6.The Secret of Sinchanee
Director Steven Grayhm United States of America, International Premiere
When? October 28, 2021 8:30 pm Where? Genesis Tickets
Why? International Premiere,
In The Secret of Sinchanee, the survivor of a double murder returns to his childhood home after the untimely death of his father – only to discover that a paranormal presence has been living in the house and haunting the sacred land on which it was built.
7.Pause
Director Tonia Mishiali Cyprus
When? October 31, 2021 6:20 pm Where? Curzon Hoxton Tickets
Why? In an attempt to escape from an oppressive marriage, Elpida finds refuge in a fantasy world of vindictive violence. When a painter starts working in her building, she finds herself confronted by unquenchable desire, and the husband she does not love. Soon fantasy and reality start to blur.
8.Porcelain
Director Jenneke Boeijink Netherlands / Belgium / Italy
When? November 2, 2021 6:20 pm Where? Curzon Hoxton Tickets
Why? Businessman Paul and his wife Anna live an apparently successful life with their eight-year-old son Thomas. But when Thomas suddenly and inexplicably falls terminally ill, the facade of a seemingly happy family life crumbles completely, like brittle porcelain that can no longer be glued back together.
9.Shadow
Director Bruno Gascon Portugal, UK Premiere
When? October 30, 2021 5:30 pm Where? Curzon Hoxton Tickets
Why? Best Director Nominee, Best Performance for Ana Moreira Nominee
A mother continues to search for her son years after his disappearance. The abduction seems legally unresolvable, yet she continues to fight for justice long after everyone else has moved on.
This film is based on a true story involving child trafficking and sexual abuse, of which there is explicit reference. Viewer discretion advised.
10.Shapeless
Director Samantha Aldana United States of America, International Premiere
When? November 4, 2021 8:45 pm Where? Curzon Hoxton Tickets
Why? Ivy, a struggling singer in New Orleans, is haunted by bulimia which twists her into a hideous monster. She binges and purges in an attempt to prevent grotesque transformations. When her voice disturbingly deteriorates, Ivy is forced to face her addiction and the monsters that come with it.
Photo Credit: Bertie Watson
I founded Raindance Film Festival in 1993 because the British film industry was closed, polite, and congratulating itself while shutting new filmmakers out.
I co-founded the British Independent Film Awards in 1998 because British indie film deserved more than a shrug, a pat on the head, and a Tuesday night screening.
Raindance didn’t start as a brand. It started as a rebellion: film training without gatekeepers, a festival without permission, and a community built by filmmakers who weren’t waiting to be invited in.
Later, we took it global: Toronto, Vancouver, New York, LA, Berlin, and Brussels, because independent film doesn’t belong to one city, one class, or one accent.
I’ve produced 700+ short films and seven features, including Deadly Virtues (2014) and ALICE, which won the SXSW Grand Jury Prize (2019) not because someone “discovered” us, but because the work earned its place.
I’ve written three books used by filmmakers worldwide because too many courses taught compliance instead of survival.
In 2009, I was awarded a PhD for services to film education, ironic, given that most of my career has been about tearing down the rules that education insisted you follow.
I don’t believe in waiting for permission.I believe in making work, building systems, and forcing the industry to catch up.
Specialties: Independent Film (the real kind) · Producing · Writing · Film Education · Festivals · Breaking Broken Systems
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