Celebrating Independent Film
For 26 years, Raindance has been bringing the brightest and best independent film to the core of London’s West End. This year is no different. A fresh crop of challenging, fresh and bold new talent hits Raindance. Feast your eyes on films that are nothing like Hollywood.
If you are serious about being independent, or serious about independent film, you won’t miss this year’s festival, as it celebrates the best in independent film from around the world.
1. Opening Night Party
The Raindance Opening Night Party will take place at the beautiful Bloomsbury Ballroom. There’s no better way to begin the festival than celebrating at this party of all parties. This year, the entertainment is brought by the amazing Guilty Pleasures. However, it’s all the pleasure with none of the guilt. So, if you want to see some special guest performers, this is the only way to start your Raindance Film Festival.
2. Guest Country: Chile
As there are many great contemporary Chilean filmmakers, Raindance is thrilled to present Chile as the guest of honour. Chilean filmmakers have been winning awards on the biggest stages because they are creating vibrant and exciting films. We’ll be showcasing Shorts, Q&As, and an Anatomy of a Reel with Gonzalo Maza (director of A Fantastic Woman), to celebrate and learn more about Chilean film.
3. Raindance’s Gallery of Immersive Stories
This year’s Virtual Reality showcase features 33 experiences, split into dedicated areas for VR installations, and curated playlists presenting 360º films. Navigate dreamlike worlds that are filled with secrets waiting to be discovered. From encountering the seven miracles of Jesus, to stepping inside the fracturing mind of Hamlet, each VR story is a unique and engaging experience. Is this a vision of the future or just a dream?
4. Industry Events
We’ve got industry events covering some of the most important and challenging topics in the film industry. From panels discussing onscreen disability representation, to a fireside chat with American History X director, Tony Kaye, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We’re also starting a new Emerging Filmmakers’ event aimed at young people who want to find the next steps for their filmmaking projects. Our industry forum is overflowing with amazing events, so get browsing!
5. Unique Film Strands
With specially curated film strands, you can delve into genres with ease. Take the Films on Filmmaking section. With six thought-provoking features that explore the action offscreen, these films provide an illuminating insight into the highs and lows of filmmaking. Alternatively, the F-Rated selection means you can easily glide through films that have female writers, directors, characters, and more. There’s also an extremely exciting queer film strand that is showcasing great films like the director’s cut of George Michael: Freedom.
6. Amazing Short Films
There is an amazing selection of Shorts at the 26th Raindance Film Festival. The Shorts Programmes are divided into sections ranging from animation, to documentary, to both international and UK Shorts. This shows the rich variety of Shorts we will be showcasing. There’s also a section for the Raindance MA and HND students to show their own work. Come and see established talent like Javier Bardem in Thy Kingdom Come, Tatiana Maslany in Souls of Totality, and Amanda Seyfried in Holy Moses.
7. Webfest
Remember that the festival doesn’t end when the credits roll at the cinema! Be sure to check out all the content on our Webfest platform. If you want to support your favourite web series, remember to vote by liking it on YouTube. Likes and views on YouTube will be used to give a web series the Audience Award. So, if there’s something you really love on the Webfest, remember to support it.
There’s 2 ways to attend:
- With a Raindance Festival Pass
- With a Benefactors Package
Cheapest Way to Attend the 26th Raindance Film Festival
Do the maths: Individual Tickets cost £13.00
There are over 200 programmes and events
Raindance Passes cost £49 – £195
Attend all the screenings and events (Opening and Closing night included in the Premium Pass) for less than £1.00 per screening or event.
Get the lowdown. Attend the 26th Raindance and Book Passes Online Here
Single tickets can be purchased from the box office now
-call the Raindance Film Festival office on 0207 930 3412
Did You Know?
- Raindance Film Festival is considered one of the top fifteen film festivals in the world?
- Raindance Film School London offers HND, BA and MA in Filmmaking and Screenwriting?
- Raindance members support indie film, and enjoy a range of benefits
- Let Raindance guide you on your filmmaking pathway. call +44 (0) 207 930 3412 or email filmschool@raindance.ac.uk
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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