SUBMISSIONS OPEN: 34th RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
London, 17 – 26 June 2026

To be eligible for Raindance 2026, films must be completed on or after January 2025.

Since 1992, Raindance has supported a new generation of creative and innovative filmmakers in the UK and worldwide. The Raindance Film Festival takes place in Central London, providing international filmmakers with a West End premiere and a truly authentic London experience.

The festival welcomes over 16,000 visitors annually, including buyers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers, producers, press, and film enthusiasts.

Raindance is the largest independent film festival in the UK, officially recognized by:

• Academy Awards® (Oscars) – Qualifying festival for Best Animation Short, Best Documentary Short, and Short of the Festival categories

• BAFTA – Selected shorts qualify for consideration

• British Independent Film Awards (BIFA)

FESTIVAL SECTIONS

• World-renowned program showcasing the best UK and international independent films

• Masterclasses featuring special guests

• Raindance Industry Forum – talks and panels

• Script Competition – Submit here

• Raindance Immersive strand

• Networking events

• Focus on emerging filmmakers

The 34th Raindance Film Festival will take place from 17-26 June 2026.

HIGHLIGHTS & HISTORY
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 has received praise from both the press and the public alike. We have a strong interest in works from first-time filmmakers, female filmmakers, stories from the LGBTQ+ community, narratives addressing social injustice and environmental concerns, horror films, and music documentaries.

Notable guests and filmmakers have included Christopher Nolan, Terry Gilliam, Shane Meadows, Ken Loach, Marky Ramone, Iggy Pop, Anton Corbijn, Quentin Tarantino, Faye Dunaway, and Lou Reed.

Our international jury has included Olivia Colman, Sean Bean, Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie, Martin Freeman, Gareth Edwards, Ewen Bremner, Jason Flemyng, Andrew Scott, Tom Waits, Vicky McClure, and Sheridan Smith.

RAINDANCE MEMBERS
Raindance members receive a discount on their first submission each year.
If you are a pro member, please email festival@raindance.co.uk to obtain your unique waiver code.
Be sure to include your membership number and expiry date.

RAINDANCE FILM SCHOOL
As a professional, accredited film school with an independent spirit, Raindance has been teaching both novice and experienced filmmakers since 1992.
Our ethos is centered on independence, and our courses are designed to help you develop your skills in your unique style.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Raindance Jury Awards

• Best Documentary Feature

• Best International Feature

• Best UK Feature

• Best UK Director

• Best UK Cinematography

• Best Performance in a UK Feature

• Discovery Award for Debut Feature (The Elisar Cabrera Award)

• Best Debut Director

• Best Performance in a Debut Feature

• Best Live Action Short

• Best Documentary Short

• Best Animated Short

• Best UK Short

Other Awards

• Raindance Icon Award

• Raindance Immersive Awards

RULES & TERMS

The 34th Raindance Film Festival will take place from 17-26 June 2026.

Submission Deadlines

• Early deadline: Monday, 8 December 2025

• Regular deadline: Monday, 19 January 2026

• Final deadline: 1 March 2026

Early entries are encouraged but do not guarantee acceptance.