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Film Feature by Amaliah S. Marmon-Halm
Between the 21st of September and the 2nd of October, the centre of London will be transformed into a hub of celebration for film and creativity. As the largest independent film festival in Europe, this is a major highlight in the independent film calendar. The festival will include many world, international, European and UK premiers.
This year, Raindance received a record-breaking number of submissions this from 98 countries and will be screening 90 feature films and 85 short films. All of these films have been chosen for the ability to make an impact and share their story. Judging these films will be a panel made up of esteemed international artists, industry members and film journalists, including Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous), Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake), Jodie Whittaker (Broadchurch), Anna Friel (Limitless), Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Nicholas Pinnock (Top Boy). 
From the Opening Gala and Party to the Closing Gala, Raindance is hosting 11 days of the best independent film has to offer. To fit everything in will be a full time job, but it will be so worth it. Additional features ‘In Competition’ include both narratives and documentaries vying for Best UK Film, Best Documentary and the coveted Discovery Award, which is given to Best Debut Film. Though screenings will be taking place every day, there will be a selection of special showcases, masterclasses and forums, so filmmakers can not only watch but brush up on their own skills. Special additions to this year’s schedule come in the form of the Raindance Lab – Future of film and a special masterclass with Guillermo Arriaga. The inaugural Virtual Reality Arcade and the fourth annual Web Series, which looks at alternative platforms for filmmaking and increasing attention these platforms are gaining internationally.
The Virtual Reality Arcade, will feature 14 experiences, providing audience members with an immersive experience and the chance to experiment with new advances in storytelling technology. The VR programme includes powerful documentaries such as Witness 360: 7/7, a look at the 2005 London terrorist attacks; Easter Rising: Voice of a Rebel, which was produced by the BBC; 6X9: A Virtual Experience of Solitary Confinement, produced by the Guardian; and the World Premiere of RecoVR: Mosul, which was commissioned by the Economist and takes the viewer on a visit to a museum in Iraq which was destroyed by ISIS.
RecoVR: Mosul
The film festival’s unique Web Series will again provide filmmakers with the opportunity to tap into the online video industry. Web Series’ nominated films include Sol Rikweda’s Blood, Sweat & Chokes (UK), which follows three young fighters as they hustle to reach the Ultimate Fighting Championship; Rich Keeble Vanity Project (UK), an improvised mockumentary series about the real-life struggling comedic actor; and S-Band (UK), Hannah George’s series which follows the lives of the staff and students at Northwood High, a school for students with behavioural issues. For the second consecutive year, Oscar® and BAFTA award nominated Mexican screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga will be conducting a masterclass for budding screenwriters and filmmakers. Arriaga is best known for his collaborations with multi-award winning director Alejandro G. Inarritu on Amores Perros, Babel and 21 Grams. The masterclass is in collaboration with Mexico’s Mediacine.
Tickets and passes Info!
You can buy individual screening tickets can be bought from here - http://calendar.raindancefestival.org/ Day passes - £25. Single Admission to all screenings and events at Vue Piccadilly cinema for one day can be purchased here - https://raindance.ticketsolve.com/#/shows/873561421/events/127899679 http://raindancefestival.org/get-your-pass-here/ Piccadilly Pass - £125 Single admission to all screenings and events at VUE Piccadilly Cinema + gift bag Premium Pass - £250 Single Admission to the Gala Nights (Opening, Closing, Awards) + Single admission to all the screenings and events at Vue Piccadilly cinema + A VIP Raindance Film Festival 2016 gift bag including Festival T-shirt & Programme Book.
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