Known around the world as Festival of Discovery, Festival Director Elliot Grove tells us how half of the films screened have secured distribution
What sets your festival apart from other festivals?
Raindance is unique. we feature debut films by filmmakers from all over the world. In the last 5 hers we have shown approximately 500 feature films, and fewer than a dozen have come from sales agents and/or distributors. The rest have come from open submissions. And over half of the films we screened have secured distribution. We pride ourselves for this. Most call us a Festival of Discovery.
Do you have a favorite film that has showcased at your Festival?
To choose a favourite would disrespect all of the other films we have shown. And each day I have a new personal favourite, but I’d hate to choose just one.
Is there something in particular that you look for in submissions? Or are there multiple factors?
The primary thing we look for is a story. And the story has to be extreme: Extreme topic and/or extreme filmmaking technique and extremely good.
What is your goal for your festival?
We want to continue to develop audiences for independent film. We are currently developing strategic relationships with brands and companies that want to see this too.
Do you have an interesting story that has taken place during a past festival?
Every year we are visited by a filmmaker who we just know is going to break big. In 1994 we were visited by Matt Stone and Trey Parker whose amazing film cannibal the musical we screened. We all knew they were going to make out huge. we just didnt know when.
How is your festival received locally?
Raindance is considered to be the first port-of-call for entry level filmmakers. we can teach people how to make a film in our cutting edge training programme. People can get really serious film training in our postgraduate training programme, we help make films with our production company.
If the film is good enough we screen it in our international festival, and if it’s really good, it can be nominated for the British Independent film Awards
Where do you see or would like to see your Festival in 5 years?
I started Raindance as a thought experiment in the early 1990’s: could you mke and distribute a film with no money, no training and no experience?
We quickly became known as antiestablishment and disruptive. My 5 year plan is to turn this ‘anti-establishment’ flavour into ‘establishment. IE: to get the recognition and respect independent filmmakers deserve.
22nd RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
SEPT 24 – Oct 5 2014
FOUNDER: MOET BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS
http://www.bifa.org.uk