34TH Raindance Film Festival

Raindance Film Festival is the largest and most important independent film festival in the UK. 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. 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, from 17 June 2026 to 26 June 2026. 

Comprising of 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). 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.” 

That urgency runs through the entire schedule includes:-

• AI anxiety.
• War.
• Isolation.
• Identity.
• Music.
• Horror.
• Technology.
• Political fracture.
• Human resilience.

The programme, curated by Suzanne Ballantyne and Anna Taborska is not trying to soothe audiences, it is trying to wake them up. The shorts were curated by Jamie Greco, Danny Moltarsi and Anna Bernardo.

If you care about independent cinema, now is the time to act.

Full details available here -  Festival - Raindance

Venue details