34TH RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: Some Films Can’t Wait Connor Storrie in April X and authorized doc Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me bookend 10 days of crucial cinema 34th Raindance Film Festival: 17 – 26 June at host cinema Vue Piccadilly
In an increasingly divisive and polarised world, the power of storytelling has never been more crucial. The UK’s leading indie film festival, Raindance is privileged to be a platform for sharing stories from emerging filmmakers: the new voices in cinema who won’t wait for big-time producers or major studios to greenlight their projects, because some films can’t wait. That urgency might be to share important truths about headline-making topics ranging from Ukraine to AI, fracking to deforestation, refugees to bride slavery. It may be to celebrate and contemplate heroes past and present, including music icon Eddie Cochran and Oscar winner and activist Jane Fonda. Or it may simply be to provide much-needed escapism with thrilling new sci-fi and horror genre films crafted with an indie sensibility.
Running 17 – 26 June, the 34TH RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL delivers all of this and more, with a programme comprising 85 narrative and documentary features, including 48 films by emerging first-time filmmakers (i.e. 56% of the feature programme). The programme also includes 112 short films. Raindance’s vanguard XR strand, the 11th Raindance Immersive comprises 27 projects across the in- person Immersive Showcase (23 – 25 June) and the online festival in VRChat (12 – 25 June). Vue Piccadilly will once again host Raindance exclusively and entirely for the festival’s full duration, complemented by the opening gala at Vue West End in Leicester Square and opening party at the Waldorf Hilton’s grand Palm Court. Thanks to the return of main sponsor Canon Europe, the festival will take over not only Vue Piccadilly but also One Ninetyfour. Located right under the BAFTA building on Piccadilly, it will once again be utilised by filmmakers and guests as Raindance’s industry hub, the Canon Lounge. Industry highlights include a Cinematography Masterclass presented by Canon. “Some films can’t wait,” says Raindance founder Elliot Grove, “and we at Raindance can’t wait to share this year’s selection of must-see indie films. With the return of our main sponsor Canon Europe, Raindance has an even greater capacity to champion emerging filmmakers along with under-the-radar films that other festivals may overlook. So don’t wait on the sidelines, come join our celebration of indie cinema in the heart of London.”
MAIN SPONSOR: CANON EUROPE
The 34th Raindance Film Festival welcomes Canon Europe returning as Main Sponsor. As Main Sponsor, Canon’s presence will once again be central to many aspects of the festival. This year’s industry hub will occupy One Ninetyfour: located under the BAFTA building at 194 Piccadilly, this space will be re-branded the Canon Lounge, a film-focused place created to inspire a new and upcoming generation of indie filmmakers. Within the Canon Lounge will be a dedicated area where filmmakers can interact with Canon experts throughout the festival, alongside showcase elements that demonstrate the full scope and potential of Canon products.
Raindance’s industry programme will feature a cinematography masterclass presented by Canon, with guest speakers and brand ambassadors highlighting Canon’s wide-ranging product lines. The festival trailer was shot by the filmmakers behind Srishti (winner of Raindance’s 2025 Discovery Award for Best Debut Feature) using Canon equipment, and Canon cameras will be utilised by Raindance’s production and marketing/social media teams throughout the festival.
IN COMPETITION: AWARDS AND JURY
The 34th Raindance Film Festival jury awards honour features in eleven categories: Best International Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Discovery Award for Debut Feature, Best Debut Director, Best Performance in a Debut Feature, Best UK Feature, Best Director of a UK Feature, Best Performance in a UK Feature, Best UK Cinematography, Spirit of Raindance Award & new for 2026 is Best Horror Feature. Raindance further honours shorts in four categories: Best UK Short, Best Live Action Short, Best Animation Short, Best Documentary Short.
This year’s jury includes: Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Slow Horses, Believe Me, Peaky Blinders, Luther), Charlotte Hope (Evil Dead Wrath, The Spanish Princess), David Ajala (The Woman in Cabin 10, Nine Bodies In A Mexican Morgue, Law And Order), Jacob Anderson (Interview with the Vampire, Bad Apples, Game of Thrones), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Edge of the World, The 12th Man, Match Point), Sope Dirisu (My Father’s Shadow, Gangs of London, His House, Slow Horses), Anthony Andrews (founder: We Are Parable), Ashanti Omkar (film critic and broadcaster), Fiona Lamptey (producer and former Head of UK Features at Netflix), Hayder Hoozeer (filmmaker: BAFTA-winning short film Rock, Paper, Scissors), Lee Knight (filmmaker: Oscar® nominated short film A Friend Of Dorothy), Rita Osei (producer and talent executive). More tbc.
Explore the Raindance programme now.
Read the full press release here.
Raindance promotes and supports independent filmmaking and filmmakers.
From new and emerging to industry pros, Raindance connects, trains, supports, and promotes visual storytellers through every step of their career.
The Raindance Film Festival runs each Summer in London’s Leicester Square.
Raindance has been delivering film training since 1992. A wide range of Open Classes to a 2 year HND Level 5 BTEC in Moving Images to a Postgraduate Film Degree are delivered to students on five continents, both in person and online.
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