Britain’s favourite film festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. But that isn’t the only anniversary at sight! The Raindance Discovery Award at the BIFAs (British Independent Film Awards), the awards ceremony founded by Raindance in 1998, and which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
This award highlights innovation, uniqueness of vision, maverick filmmaking and risk-taking, with a budget under £500k and no, or very limited, theatrical distribution deals in place.
This year’s Raindance Discovery Award longlist highlights 12 standout films, comprising six features and six documentaries. “Raindance’s motto is ‘Discover. Be Discovered’. And this year’s Raindance Discovery Award longlist once again unearths some true gems of independent cinema,” says Elliot Grove, founder of Raindance and BIFA. “We are excited to champion these fresh, relevant, and inventive films. And of course, I’m especially thrilled that three of the longlisted films will screen at this year’s Raindance Film Festival.”
The longlist of documentaries includes (click on the film title in order to accede to the individual film review, where available):
Previous recipients include Ben Wheatley, receiving an early accolade for his first feature Down Terrace (2009).
BIFA’s Raindance Discovery Award was presented in 2021 to Poly Styrene – I Am A Cliché (Paul Sng/ Celeste Bell, 2021).
The final list of 5 nominations will be announced on Thursday 3rd November (tbc), winner announcement at the awards ceremony on Sunday 4th December