The entire Raindance community of film students, staff and filmmakers has been deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen showed a tireless work ethic. She was patron of 600 charities – charities tht ranged from community service to social imoact, as well as education and conservation. Her work raised nearly £2b for her charity work.
As a mother and parent, we were fascinated how she navigated the trials and successes of heer offspring, and marvelled at her ability to carry on regardless.
The Queen was also known for her wit and humour, and as recently this June she entertained Paddington the Bear at the start of celebrations at Buckingham Palace.
As Mick Jagger and Elton John said so eloquently yesterday, the day after her death, she has been the one constant through all of our adult lives.
The cover image shows me shaking hands with HRH Queen Elizabeth II. It was an event at Windsor castle right aft3r the Great chapoel was reopened following the horrid fire. Prince Philip was also there. George Lucas was the guest of honour. The Royal Household put on this dazzling soiree to welcome Lucas with the express intent of convincing him to shoot Star Wars at Pinewood. Which of course he did.
The room was crowded, and i was a wall flower beside the window when i saw the Prince slowly walking towards me. I stepped forward and breached royal protocol by trying to shake his hand. He asked what I did, and I said film education. He nodded with approval. Sharp as a knife I thought. I asked him if he saw many movies, and he answered that he didn’t get to see as many as he liked. at that moment Kenneth Branagh started the ceremony and we turned to face the speakers. The Queen was being honoured with an Honorary BAFTA.
I will never forget that handshake, nor my short conversation with the Prince. They both seemed genuinely interested in us. And both were warm and friendly. And it was one of a 160 events they were hosting that year! Truly awesome. And inspiring.
As we enter a new age, let’s remember that Queen Elizabeth II navigated a host of world and life changing events, both tragic and wonderful. Who could ever forget an Octogenarian monarch parachuting into the Olympic stadium?
God Bless The Queen. God Save The King
What Filmmakers Can Learn from Queen Elizabeth
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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