The Festival accepts feature films (over 45 min), short films (under 45 min), VR/AR/MR experiences, games and virtual worlds (6Dof interactive or linear, no running time limitation). Projects of all lengths and genres are welcome. Raindance Film Festival is committed to showing the boldest and most innovative work that challenges the boundaries of filmmaking.

• Narrative Feature
• Documentary Feature
• Music Documentary Feature
• Narrative Short
• Documentary Short
• Animation Short
• Queer (Feature)
• Immersive Experiences – Virtual and Augmented Reality Narrative Experiences, Documentaries, Live VR Performances, Immersive Games and Immersive worlds on social VR platforms

Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
– Quality of narrative and production values.
– Independent nature of the production.

Raindance will notify all submitting parties on 16 May 2027, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a Filmmaker Festival Pack that will include important information on shipping the DCP to the Festival, press and publicity, guest accreditation, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.

All selected films, both shorts and long features, MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) in order to be screened at the Raindance Film Festival, as well as a backup Blu-ray. These can be sent both via post or digitally. The film title MUST be clearly labelled on the DCP and Blu-ray. All foreign language films MUST contain English subtitles files. 
Blu-ray will be used as backup only. Please clearly label whether your film is PAL or NTSC. Our facilities do NOT support DVD, tape, 35mm, Super 16mm, 8mm or double-head formats. 
A selected DCP must be received at Raindance no later than TWENTY days prior to its scheduled screening date. 
Our partner cinema uses pin sharp Sony 4K Digital Cinema projection, making DCP screenings look incredible. Raindance aspires to provide the best quality projection possible but will not be held liable for any failure in the technical quality of the projection, nor will fees be refunded in any such case. Raindance assumes that the submitting party or filmmaker(s) or entrant(s) or print source company has insured for damage and loss of the festival DCP.

Raindance Immersive – Eligible Projects and Deliverables:

Raindance celebrates the creators and game developers who are pushing the artistic boundaries of the medium of XR, enhancing the art of storytelling in bold and daring ways. The festival considers immersive narrative experiences and documentaries across VR/AR, indie VR games, multi-player VR performances with live actors and virtual worlds on various social VR platforms such as VRChat, NEOS, AltspaceVR and more. Works may include but are not limited to virtual reality projects, augmented reality projects, multi-player VR performances with live actors as well as virtual worlds on various social VR platforms such as VRChat, NEOS, AltspaceVR and others. We accept PCVR and Quest builds (exe or apk file demos) posted on a Google Drive or Dropbox link so we can test them in headsets. Works already published on mainstream VR platforms are also accepted – please include 4 download keys. 2D films will not be accepted for consideration.

To be eligible for Raindance 2027 your film must have been completed after 1 January 2025.

Recipients of the festival’s qualifying awards (Best Animation Short/Best Documentary Short/Short of the Festival) will be eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film/Documentary Short Film/Live Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.

By submitting a film to Raindance, you confirm that you are aware of no matter relating to the film, or to any individual or entity involved in its production, financing, distribution, or exploitation, which, if made public, may reasonably be expected to bring Raindance into disrepute.

Should Raindance become aware of information relating to the film or any associated individual or entity which may reasonably be considered capable of adversely affecting the reputation or integrity of Raindance, the Festival reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withdraw, suspend, or revoke the film’s selection, screening, participation, nomination, or award status, and/or impose such conditions as it considers appropriate in the circumstances.