Raindance 30th Anniversary Cannes Villa Party & 2 Day Film School
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Raindance Film Festival, the UK’s leading indie film festival. To mark the start of this special anniversary year, the Raindance Film Festival in association with Magnificent Films will host the Filmmakers’ Cannes Villa Party (Monday 23 May, 7-11pm) during the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival.
Raindance Cannes Villa Party
Hosts Elliot Grove, the founder of Raindance and BIFA, and Sean Cronin of Magnificent Films, will welcome guests to a luxurious villa in Cannes for an evening of celebration and networking with special guests, breathtaking views, and complementary drinks and nibbles. Music selection by DJ Erno Valero.
“Raindance is privileged to toast the indie filmmaking community at our Filmmaker’s Cannes Villa Party. Both Cannes and Raindance are celebrating significant anniversaries in 2022, and this will be the first time that the global film industry has returned to Cannes since the pandemic – so it’s certain to be a momentous occasion. In true Cannes style, we’ll be hosting our party at a spectacular villa with terraces, garden, and swimming pool, so come join us to raise a glass and celebrate the launch of Raindance’s 30th year,” says Elliot Grove.
Located a 10-minute drive from Palais des Festivals, directions to the villa’s secret location will be supplied to guests once their booking is confirmed.
Anniversary 2 Day Film School
Other special 30th anniversary activity includes the welcome return of the Dov Simens 2-Day Film School. In April 1992, Hollywood’s greatest film instructor brought his intensive weekend filmmakers crash-course to London: a significant moment in indie film history that was integral to the birth of the Raindance Film Festival and Raindance Film School. Thirty years on, and Dov Simens is back at Raindance (16-17 July) for what will be his only European date this year. Cutting right through to the chase, Dov Simens teaches the business of Writing, Producing, Directing, Financing and Distributing Independent Features in a no-holds barred, rapid fire weekend designed for industry professionals seeking a refresher course, or newcomers wanting quick, practical information to speed their break into the film industry.
Past attendees of the 2-Day Film School include Edgar Wright, Matthew Vaughn, Trudie Styler, Quentin Tarantino, Will Smith and Queen Latifah. London participants who have since produced or directed successful features include Jeremy Bolt (Event Horizon, Soldier), Philippa Braithwaite (Sliding Doors), Paul Brooks (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Simon Hunter (Lighthouse, Edie), Patricia Murphy (Camden Girls) and Guy Ritchie (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch).
These are the first of several special events that will mark the 30th anniversary year of Raindance. The 30th Raindance Film Festival will take place in London between October 26 and November 5. The programme will be announced in September.
About Raindance
Raindance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the UK and it has been recognised by Variety as “one of the world’s top 50 unmissable film festivals”. Raindance showcases the boldest, freshest content from British and international filmmakers. Industry and the public attend cutting-edge panels, talks and workshops. Raindance is a qualifying festival for Oscars®, BAFTA and BIFA.
Raindance is dedicated to fostering and promoting independent film around the world. Founded in 1992, it combines the Raindance Film Festival, film training courses, and Raindance Higher Education. Training courses are at the heart of the Raindance structure, aiming to give individuals the tools to start shooting their film, and covering screenwriting, production, directing, and virtual reality. Moreover, Raindance has developed three fully accredited Higher Education Film Programmes, becoming the only major film festival in the world to offer higher education.