The word “musical” brings a very specific thing to mind. When I hear the word musical, I picture the big, sweeping Broadway-style productions with a full story arc delivered in song. And those musicals can be quite a love-it-or-hate-it genre among film enjoyers.Then there are the so-called indie musicals. This can leave you But whichever side of the divide your opinion on musicals lands on, we have an option for you here at this year’s festival.
If you ARE looking for a tried-and-true musical production, Thai musical Dream! is your best bet. Boasting to be Thailand’s most ambitious independent film ever made, the film follows schoolgirl Lek traversing the rural parts of the country on her way to Bangkok following the death of her mother.
Through interactions with a wide variety of characters and lifestyles, Dream! utilizes a wide range of musical styles to explore different aspects of Thai culture as well as incredibly colorful visuals to accompany them.
Here’s the times to see Dream!
Sun, Jun 22nd, 8:15 PM @ Vue Piccadilly – Screen 3
Mon, Jun 23rd, 2:45 PM @ Vue Piccadilly – Screen 3
Buy tickets for Dream! HERE
If you’re less interested in a choreographed, narrative musical but still want to hear some music, book a ticket for the music documentary/live concert The Dark Fantastic. Directed by Lg White, this film explores the work of film composer Simon Boswell.
Celebrating the art of cinematic musicality, The Dark Fantastic bounces between conversations with filmmakers for the movies that Boswell has composed for and soundscapes that immerse the viewer into Boswell’s work itself.
Here’s when and where to see The Dark Fantastic
Thu, Jun 26th, 6:30 PM @ Vue Piccadilly – Screen 5
Fri, Jun 27th, 9:45 AM @ Vue Piccadilly – Screen 3
Finally, if you’re a real music fan wanting to dive into a full album, check out One-Way Ticket to the Other Side. Made up of twelve separate episodes — or songs — this anthology acts as a feature-length music video for electronic band Pornographie Exclusive’s debut album.
One-Way Ticket to the Other Side is a unique intersection between the art forms of music and film, balancing a pseudo-narrative of two outlaws on a road trip through a surreal, dreamy landscape whose whimsicality lends itself to the episodic nature of the songs it features.
Here’s when and where to see One-Way Ticket to the Other Side
Thu, Jun 26th, 9:45 PM @ Vue Piccadilly – Screen 2
Fri, Jun 27th, 3:30 PM @ Vue Piccadilly – Screen 2
Buy tickets for One-Way Ticket to the Other Side HERE
Explore the Raindance Film Festival Programme
- World Premieres #Raindance2025
- British Films at #Raindance2025
- First time Filmmakers
- Female Gaze
- Raindance Docs
- Raindance Queer
- Raindance Horror
- How to get the most out of Raindance
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Join us for our upcoming “Saturday Film School with Elliot Grove”. Here is where we’ll dive deeper into these challenges and provide practical solutions for modern indie filmmakers. Or start your journey with our “99 Minute Film School” . That’s because in today’s fast-paced world, even learning has to adapt to new timeframes.
Remember, every generation of filmmakers has faced its own set of challenges. What matters isn’t the obstacles in your path, but how you choose to overcome them.
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Austin Hughes is a mixed-media animator and illustrator studying in Arkansas with equal passions for storytelling and design. He’s currently in London with Raindance Film Festival focusing on their Jury and Box Office, immersing himself in a wide variety of films and voices before diving into the production of his own independent animated short thesis film next year.
