Have you been reading about all the changes in the film industry? The changes in distribution and production? I’ve been running Raindance for over three decades, and realise that these new developments are an independent filmmaker’s game changer.
The Independent Filmmaker’s Game Changer
After I made my first few films under the Raindance Raw Talent banner, I realised I was doing everything wrong. The crucial missing element was having a personal guide in the film industry – it isn’t just helpful, it’s a game changer.
Why mentorship is crucial
My personal success, and that of Raindance wouldn’t be possible without the guidance of mentors who believed in what I was doing.
A mentor can:
- help you avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes
- give you real-world advice you can’t get from books or classes
- open doors to new opportunities you wouldn’t even know existed.
A mentor will help you make your movie or write your script, and will make your dream a reality.
Finding the right mentor
The first step is to put yourself out there.
- Attend networking events
- Attend screenings
- Attend major film markets like Cannes
- Attend film festivals
If you have to believe that sooner or later, you will find the right opportunity, and be able to seize it, even if you are an introvert!
The shortcut to finding a mentor
I once nearly brushed knuckles with Harrison Ford. It took me years to realise that star-effing does one’s career absolutely no good.
If you want a shortcut to finding the right connections, check out the Raindance Festival Pass. It is the best (and cheapest) way to see new independent movies, attend seminars by working professionals and attend networking events.
It’s exactly what I wish I had when I was starting out. You’ll get tonnes of advice on how to navigate the film industry. You’ll learn about raising money, and how to make movies that get seen.
I know you are busy with your day-to-day commitments and worries. But are you ready to turn your dream into the real thing?
Let’s make movies.
Fade Out
Do you want to get your career onto the fast lane? Remember that the right mentor will accelerate you from aspiring filmmaker to an actual filmmaker. Don’t miss out on the Raindance Festival Pass.
It could be your shortcut to success.
Did You Know?
- Raindance Film Festival is considered one of the top fifteen film festivals in the world
- The Higher Education programme at Raindance Film School offers HND, BA and MA in Filmmaking and Screenwriting
- Raindance members support indie film, and enjoy a range of member benefits
- You can call us on +44 (0) 930 3412
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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