It’s that time of year again, where we have the chance to be mesmerised by what I believe to be the best in independent cinema.
The Raindance mission is to discover new talent from wherever it comes – and it does arrive from the most unexpected quarters. This year, we received a record-breaking number of submissions from 98 countries and I’m always humbled with how truly international the Festival has become.
I’m thrilled that this year we have introduced a Virtual Reality Arcade, which will certainly blow your socks off. We are also highlighting Women in Film and LGBT films, showcasing what women and LGBT communities are constantly bringing to the industry.
This year’s industry strands are just as impressive, with special guests, panelists and events. We have also lucked out by getting an impressive Jury who give their valuable time to watch movies and give awards.
We look for deeply passionate and personal stories told in an entertaining manner. We favour extreme topics told in extreme ways. We strive to find new filmmakers with fresh ideas and pick out artists that enjoy taking risks.
It’s our brilliant programmers who have the heart-breaking job of deciding which films should be shown and which films from around the world will entice, challenge, inspire and of course, entertain our audiences.
We are now in our 24th year, almost a quarter-century, and we have been very fortunate to reach a point where audiences continue to descend on Raindance to unearth the most innovative, leading edge work in emerging cinema today.
Now get ready, sit back and I sincerely hope that you enjoy this year’s programme as much as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.
Discover. Be discovered.
Elliot Grove – Founder
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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