The programme for the 27th Raindance Film Festival has been unveiled.
Returning to London from 18th to 29th September, the festival includes 13 World Premieres, 10 International Premieres, 9 European Premieres and 54 UK premieres. The programme also includes 108 short films, 19 music videos, and 30 VR experiences.
Elliot Grove, Raindance founder says: “Raindance is happening from 18th September – no ifs, no buts. Despite Brexit uncertainty, we’re bringing the boldest and freshest talent from the world of indie filmmaking to the heart of London. Raindance is proud to have a global vision, not a narrow one, and this year’s festival has an incredible range of stories from Britain and across the world. And remember that Raindance means Raindance.”
Raindance will open on 18th September with the World Premiere of Krow’s Transformation directed by Gina Hole Lazarowich. The film documents the transition of Canadian transgender model Krow Kian. A successful female model as a teen, the film charts Krow’s transition over a 3-year period, including Krow walking the catwalk for Louis Vuitton’s iconic SS19 show in Paris – his first show since transitioning to a male.
The film incorporates conversations between Krow and his mother, plus stories from other trans people in Krow’s circle. Krow Kian and director Gina Hole Lazarowich will attend the gala premiere at Vue West End in Leicester Square, the Home of Entertainment. A party at Café De Paris will follow, featuring Guilty Pleasures.
The festival will feature a special gala for the World Premiere of Tristan Loraine and Beth Moran’s Everybody Flies, which sees former British Airways captain turned documentary filmmaker Tristan Loraine exposing the cocktail of toxins that make up the air on commercial passenger aircraft.
Raindance will come to a close on 29th September with the UK premiere of post-modern comedy Aren’t You Happy directed by Susanna Heinrich. This debut feature brings together theory, feminism, humour and a bubblegum pop palate of colour as we follow a girl roaming a city looking for a place to sleep.
The Raindance Film Festival awards system honours features and documentaries in 8 categories: Best International Film, Best UK Film, Best Director, Best Performance, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Discovery, Best Documentary. Awards partner STAMP will provide over CAD $100,000 of post-production prizes for winning filmmakers in all categories.
This year’s jury comprises Rachel Shenton and Chris Overton (winners of the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film For The Silent Child), David Yates (director, Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises), Kacey Ainsworth (EastEnders, Granchester), Babou Ceesay (Eye In The Sky, Dark Mon£y), Ed Skrein (Deadpool), Ella Balinska (Charlie’s Angels), Susan Wokoma (Year of the Rabbit), Ophelia Lovibond (Guardians of the Galaxy), Hugh Skinner (W1A, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), Billy Zane (Titanic), Tom Ellis (Lucifer), Ruth Bradley (Grabbers, Humans), Chloe Pirrie (The Game), Nathaniel Martello-White (Cla’am), Josh Dylan (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), Dan Smith from the band Bastille, and award-winning singer songwriter Emeli Sandé.
For more information, tickets and details on the full programme head over to www.raindance.org/festival.
