London, UK – September 13, 2023: In a dazzling return to the iconic heart of London’s West End, the Raindance Film Festival has announced full lineup for its 31st edition. This renowned indie film festival, set to run from October 25th to November 4th, will grace some of the capital’s most esteemed cinemas, including Vue Piccadilly, Curzon Soho, Curzon Mayfair, the Garden Cinema, and Wonderville on Haymarket, which will host The House of Raindance industry hub and the Raindance Immersive VR Showcase. Genesis Cinema in east London will also be a part of the festival’s lineup.
Dedicated to championing fresh voices in cinema, Raindance’s 31st edition is set to prioritize the work of first, second, and third-time filmmakers across its feature programme. In a nod to its roots, over 75% of the films showcased this year are debut features, with 14% representing the impressive second or third works of these emerging talents.
Raindance founder Elliot Grove reminisces, “When Raindance first launched back in 1993 with the World Premiere of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, the festival found itself at home in London’s iconic West End, championing indie film in cinemas more accustomed to playing Hollywood blockbusters.”
He continues, “Year after year, Raindance proved that the West End could be a home to film of every budget and genre. In our most recent editions, Raindance embraced local neighborhood cinemas across London. Now for this, our 31st edition, we are wholeheartedly back in London’s West End, the beating heart of cinema in the UK. And we will continue to champion new filmmakers and the edgy, under-the-radar films that we at Raindance love so much. Join us in 2023, in the shadow of Eros in the heart of London – and maybe with a little help from Eros’s mythical arrows, we’ll all fall just a bit in love with independent film.”
The festival will kick off with the UK Premiere of “Day of the Fight,” directed by Jack Huston, marking his directorial debut. This compelling drama follows the story of a once-renowned boxer as he embarks on a redemptive journey through his past and present. The film boasts a stellar cast including Michael Pitt, Ron Perlman, Joe Pesci, and a cameo from Steve Buscemi. Director Jack Huston will participate in a post-screening Q&A, followed by a gala opening party at the Waldorf Hilton.
The festival’s closing gala will feature the UK Premiere of “Un Amor,” directed by Isabel Coixet, set in Spain/Catalonia. Based on Sara Mesa’s bestselling novel, the film stars Laia Costa and explores themes of passion and existential doubt.
Raindance is honored to welcome Catalonia as the special guest this year, with a focus on Catalan films and filmmakers. The festival’s Industry Programme will also showcase Catalonia’s film industry.
The headline sponsor for this year’s Raindance Film Festival is MangoRx, creators of a mango-flavored rapid-dissolving orange tablet designed for faster results in combating erectile dysfunction and promoting good sexual and mental health. As part of this partnership, Raindance’s red carpets will feature an orange hue, and there will be the MangoRx 60-second short film competition centered around mental health and ED awareness.
The festival will also screen a diverse selection of films, including maverick features by first-time directors, must-see international titles, powerful documentaries, and UK-produced films.
Raindance is known for its commitment to immersive storytelling, and this year is no different. The Raindance Immersive programme, spanning VR storytelling, games, virtual world building, cabaret, comedy, and filmmaking, will include World Premieres and first-look previews. For the first time, Raindance will also screen a program of short films and music videos made entirely within VRChat.
The festival’s Industry Sessions at the House of Raindance will offer workshops, panels, and masterclasses covering a wide range of topics in independent filmmaking.
Raindance continues to qualify for the Academy Awards, with the Best Short Of The Festival winner eligible for consideration in the Short Film category without the standard theatrical run.
This year’s Raindance Film Festival promises to be a captivating celebration of independent cinema, showcasing the talent and creativity of emerging filmmakers from around the world.
For more information and the full festival lineup, visit the Raindance Film Festival website.
