Raindance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the UK, currently rated top 10 international film festival for filmmakers to consider, according to studiobinder. It is based in the heart of London’s buzzing West End film district.
Raindance Film Festival is officially recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences USA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the British Independent Film Awards. Winners of Best Animation Short/Best Documentary Short/Short of the Festival) categories will qualify for Oscar®, and selected shorts also for BAFTA considerations.
Festival Sections:
- World-renowned programme of the best UK and international independent films
- Masterclasses with special guests
- Raindance Industry Forum – talks and panels
- Raindance Immersive strand
- Networking events
- Emerging filmmakers focus
Each year, Raindance attracts dozens of thousands of visitors including hundreds of industry professionals into London. The 31st Raindance will take place in the Autumn 2023.
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Amongst others, Raindance has hosted the UK premieres of What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Blair Witch Project, Dead Man’s Shoes, Memento, Humpday, Love Exposure, Ghost World, Capturing the Friedmans, Down Terrace, I Origins and Old Boy. Our programming receives plaudits from press and public alike. We have a keen interest in work from first time filmmakers, female filmmakers, stories from the LGBTQ+ community, stories on social injustice and environmental issues, horrors and last but not least music documentaries.
Over the years, the festival has hosted such guests and filmmakers as Christopher Nolan, Terry Gilliam, Shane Meadows, Ken Loach, Marky Ramone, Iggy Pop, Anton Corbijn, Quentin Tarantino, Faye Dunaway and Lou Reed. Over the last few years our international Jury has included Sean Bean, Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie, Martin Freeman, Gareth Edwards, Ewen Bremner, Jason Flemyng, Andrew Scott, Tom Waits, Vicky McClure and Sheridan Smith among top UK industry guest jurors.
Raindance members get a discount on their first submission each year. If you are a member email festival@raindance.co.uk to receive your unique waiver code relevant to the membership you have purchased. Please include your membership number and expiry date. To join Raindance please go to: https://www.raindance.org/membership/
RAINDANCE FILM MARKET
Having your film accepted into the Raindance Film Festival automatically qualifies you for an entry into the Raindance Film Market, powered by VUULR. Here your film will be highlighted to over 7,000 buyers worldwide. Find out more here: https://raindance.vuulr.com/
The Raindance Film Market is non-exclusive, so you qualify with or without an agent, and there is no conflict of interest. You also retain all rights and give nothing away. You, or your agent, have the final say on the deal. You can sell to any territory on any rights type on any terms.
Raindance Jury Awards:
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Performance
- Best International Feature
- Best UK Feature
- Best Documentary Feature
- Discovery Award
- Best Short of the Festival
- Best UK Short
- Best Documentary Short
- Best Animation Short
Raindance Special Awards:
- Film of the Festival decided by the founders
- Spirit of the Festival decided by the founders
Raindance Immersive Awards:
- Best Narrative Experience
- Best Documentary Experience
- Best Immersive Game
- Best Immersive World
- Discovery Award: Best Debut
- Spirit of Raindance: Immersive Experience of the Festival