The Raindance Film Festival is the UK’s largest independent film festival
Raindance exists to discover, foster and champion new talent and audiences, the lifeblood of the industry. Since 1992 Raindance has ignited and overseen major shifts in the world of British independent film. We are proud to provide a platform for first-time filmmakers and promote all aspects of independent cinema in the UK, from guerrilla style low-budget shorts to international indie blockbusters.
Raindance premières have included Memento, Ghost World, Blair Witch Project and Pulp Fiction. We satisfy the public’s thirst for bold, original filmmaking through diverse international programming.
Current patrons of the festival include Nick Broomfield, Terry Gilliam, Ken Loach, Marky Ramone, Ewan McGregor and Vanessa Redgrave.
The Raindance brand unites established talent with the next generation of filmmakers, the film industry and film fans. Sponsorship opportunities
All sponsors get to associate their brand with the largest independent film festival in the UK endorsed by the British filmmaking community, as well as the opportunity of promoting identity and product to a high profile and targeted audience of industry professionals, emerging filmmaking talent and the wider public. Raindance has an established reputation of producing dynamic partnerships with all its sponsors, generating new ideas and opportunities specific to the communication objectives of each.
Headline Sponsorship
The opportunity, for the first time, to create a high profile association with all aspects of the festival. Raindance will be presented in association with your brand through all communications in advance and throughout the festival itself. This is a valuable opportunity to both parties, and one that can only be created with a company that has complete synergy with the established brand that is Raindance.
This will be an evolving partnership, developing the scale and profile of the festival together with the reach and power of the sponsor’s brand. The specific benefits package will be confirmed following the establishment of key objectives once the appropriate sponsor has been identified.
Awards Sponsorship
The festival awards a number of jury prizes for the best films during our ‘Raindance is responsible for the Closing Night Gala presentation. The awards available to sponsor are Best resurgence of filmmaking in the International Feature, Best UK Feature, Best Documentary Film, Best UK and deserves your support’ Debut Feature, the Audience Award, Best International Short Film and the Ken Loach Film of the Festival. The best films of the festival are screened in a prime- Director / Kes / My Name is Joe time slot each day with high-profile actors and filmmakers in attendance.
Opening Night Gala
This exciting evening celebrates the opening of the 17th Raindance Film Festival and features a première screening and afterparty.
Closing Night Gala
This includes the presentation of Festival Jury Prizes, the closing night première screening and party.
Strand Sponsorship
The festival has several screening strands where films are grouped from a particular region or genre. This year’s strands include UK, Documentary, European, North American Independents, Japanese Cinema and shorts. Live!Ammunition!
Live!Ammunition! is Raindance’s now-legendary event where participants pitch their idea for a movie to a panel of top British film executives. What other organization can offer the undivided attention of not just one, but five panelists with insider access to the heart of the film industry?
These are the people who matter. These are the people who make careers.
Consistently one of the hottest tickets of the festival, Live!Ammunition! has a strong record of projects being picked up on the night, such as Meet the Parents (1994), 51st State (1995), Siamese Cop (1996), and White Bhaji (2001).
To pitch, participants drop a fiver in the hat and take the floor. They are granted up to two minutes to convince the panellists to read their script and/or make their film. Panellists can – and will — gong them off if they find the ideas boring. The best pitch wins all the money in the hat, and, who knows, could be picked up for development.
Past panellists have included:
Sally Caplan head of UK Film Council’s Premier Fund Roger Corman producer, Little Shop of Horrors, Death Race 2000 Norma Heyman producer, Dangerous Liaisons, Mrs Henderson Presents Damian Jones producer, Welcome To Sarajevo, The History Boys Ewan McGregor actor, Trainspotting, Velvet Goldmine, Moulin Rouge! Shane Meadows director, Dead Man’s Shoes, This Is England Nik Powell Oscar-winning producer, Mona Lisa, The Crying Game Rhodri Thomas VP Production & Development, The Weinstein Co Matthew Vaughn director, Layer Cake, Stardust
Alive and definitively kicking since 1993, Live!Ammunition! has seen incarnations in a variety of national and international venues, including London, Sheffield, Glasgow, the Edinburgh Film Festival, Toronto and the Cannes Film Festival. Suffice to say its reputation extends far from the heart of Soho. Live!Ammunition! brings the Raindance name into the homes of a truly worldwide community of filmmakers, capturing the excitement of amateur auteurists everywhere. Special Events
‘I like that it’s young… I like A series of panels, forums and group discussions. Past events include really new ideas coming up all screenings and Q&As with Ken Loach, Vanessa Redgrave, Marky Ramone the time and I think Raindance, particularly, reflects that’ (The Ramones) and Mick Jones (The Clash); panels on film financing and distribution, and masterclasses with Anthony Dod Mantle, Roger Pratt, Mick Jones Brian Tufano, Mike Figgis, Penny Woolcock and Michael Madsen. Musician / The Clash
Previous jurors include Cannes
Andrea Arnold The world’s greatest filmmakers flock to the south of France each May Jonathan Caouette to take part in the most glamorous festival of them all – Cannes. With its Anton Corbijn peerless Little Black Book, Raindance events at the Cannes Film Festival Kim Deal are attended by some of the biggest names in film today. Dame Judi Dench Anna Friel Sadie Frost Live Music Events Mick Jones Sandy Lieberson Film-related live music events featuring an eclectic mix of musicians and Kevin Macdonald recording artists. Past years have seen performances from Wayne Kramer Derek Malcom (MC5), Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze), Penny Rimbaud (Crass), Japanther, Billy Johnny Lee Miller Childish, Colonel JD Wilkes and the Brick Lane Film Ensemble. Samantha Morton Rebecca O’Brien Iggy Pop The Raindance Green Room Marky Ramone Tommy Ramone This is the central hospitality focus throughout the festival for visiting Lou Reed filmmakers and other high profile festival guests and jury members. Tessa Ross Colin Vaines Stephen Woolley It’s Raining Umbrellas Edgar Wright Adam Yauch It always rains in October. That’s why we call it Raindance. How would you Toby Young like to see thousands of people walking around Soho with your logo on the Raindance umbrella? Along with the individual benefits for each sponsorship option, you will enjoy the following benefits:
Brand Exposure
– A full-page complimentary full-colour ad in the Festival catalogue – Your name and logo branding on the Raindance website with icon-driven links to your company website, and promotional copy – Branding for the duration of the festival, including: Branding in front of house area Opportunity to distribute literature and / or product Opportunity for your product to be sampled – Opportunity for product placement / literature in the festival goodie bags
Brand Enhancement
– Association with a high-profile independent film festival endorsed by major film figures representing the international independent film industry – A visible demonstration of your company’s commitment to independent filmmaking and innovation
Hospitality – VIP passes allowing access to the opening and closing night galas – All access passes to preview screenings throughout the festival – Excellent networking opportunity with Raindance Film Festival partners, supporters and high profile industry professionals
Raindance does not simply offer exposure for our supporters. Rather, we tailor elements of the festival around your organisation, ensuring that you are fully integrated with the themes, processes and values of the festival. Case Study: Sony Ericsson
Campaign Summary
Sony Ericsson and Raindance launched a consumer competition inviting people from across Europe to tell a story about their lives through still camera phone images.
Internationally-acclaimed director and photographer Mike Figgis provided the creative direction and made a short film out of the best images from each country, to show ‘Life Captured’ across Europe. The film was screened as part of the 16th annual Raindance Film Festival in London.
Overview
We created an innovative campaign to promote the Sony Ericsson C902’s secret, sliding lens and 5 megapixel camera.
Consumers competed to have their cameraphone images featured in a short film that captured a behind-the-scenes view of their country and told ‘Making a moving film out of a story about their lives. everyday people’s still snapshots was a challenging brief but I was instantly inspired by Sony Ericsson partnered with Raindance to add credibility within the Sony-Ericsson’s aim to reveal industry and to provide the venue and event for the ‘Life Captured’ an unseen side of life across so screening. Mike Figgis came on board to launch the campaign, provide many countries. Mobile phone creative direction for the competition, select the winners and create a film photographs are increasingly being used as an immediate and out of their still images. exciting way to capture life as it happens. This intriguing film will The film was screened to international media, guests and competition compare every day happenings winners at the Rex Cinema as part of the 16th Raindance Film Festival. and personal moments, providing a window into people’s private Mike Figgis made a personal appearance, talked about his vision and worlds previously unseen’ inspiration for the film and awarded the overall winner a signed photograph Mike Figgis taken by himself. Director / Hotel / Leaving Las Vegas
Results [figures supplied by Brando]
Total reach of media coverage = 7,058,211 54 pieces of pan European media coverage 10 pieces of Raindance generated coverage e.g. e-blasts, web news
Reference
‘We decided to work with Raindance on this project due to their unrivalled contacts and industry knowledge. Everyone at Raindance got involved from day one and they were always happy to give advice and help. Raindance helped us to get a high profile international director on board in a very short timeframe and provided great support throughout. The final event at the Raindance Film Festival was a glowing success and provided the perfect campaign wrap up. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again’ Sian Evans, Group Account Director, Brando Case Study: Nokia
In 2003 we approached Nokia and for four years we worked closely with them, developing and executing a highly popular and successful film competition called the Nokia 15-Second Shorts. Winners got a prize that money can’t buy: tickets to the British Independent Film Awards and an all expenses paid trip for two to the Cannes Film Festival. Spinoffs included The World’s Shortest Film Festival which toured Cineworld Cinemas.
Case Study: Delta Air Lines
In 2005, Delta Air Lines began international flights from the UK to the US. To bring the support they’ve shown to filmmakers in the US to the UK, Delta joined Raindance to support the Best UK Short Film Award, which awarded the winning filmmaker with two return trips to any US destination. The award was designed to give the winning filmmaker an opportunity to showcase their work at film festivals in the US.
Case Study: Canon
‘Raindance is one of the most In 2007, Canon joined Raindance in a series of grassroots filmmaking energised, exciting organisations around. We have absolutely projects. One such project saw the creation of a documentary film directed nothing else like it’ by maverick independent filmmaker Jonathan Caouette (Tarnation). The Sarah Radclyffe film was shot and edited entirely during the festival and exhibited before Co-founder / Working Title Films the closing night film première. The highly successful final product is now used by Canon as a unique promotional tool.
Case Study: Tiscali
In 2007, Tiscali and Raindance launched Raindance Online which was the world’s first simultaneous online / offline film festival. The project was received very well by filmmakers and cinemagoers and garnered a large amount of press coverage due to its pioneering nature.
‘We have a great working relationship with Raindance. They are not only friendly, efficient and well connected, but have also really understood and embraced the internet as an opportunity for independent film’ Tiscali A Few Facts and Figures
Last year attendance rose to just under 10,000 and the festival received its most glowing press coverage to date.
We screened over 75 feature films and 100 short films from filmmakers across the globe, along with a diverse selection of workshops, discussion panels, interviews, parties and special events.
Box Office was up 38%, submissions were up 10%, attendance increased by over 40%.
The Festival’s targeted audience is ABC1, 18–34, 60% male, and predominantly London-based – hip, artistic and intelligent urbanites, culturally and politically switched on, in pursuit of new and alternative ways of looking at, and discussing the world, as well as journalists, acquisition executives, actors, producers and directors.
Raindance attracts high profile industry figures including Ken Loach, Dame Judi Dench, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Anton Corbijn, Marky and Tommy Ramone, Mick Jones, Rankin, Edgar Wright, Tessa Ross (Film Four), Colin Vaines (Weinstein Company), Sam Morton, Sukhdev Sandhu, Ewan McGregor, Adam Yauch (Beastie Boys), Vanessa Redgrave and Dave Calhoun (Time Out London). Additional Sponsorship Opportunities
Raindance Film Training
Raindance is the best place to take short-term evening and weekend courses in how to write, direct and produce quality feature films and shorts. Alumni include such successes as Edgar Wright, Julian Fellowes, Guy Ritchie, Matthew Vaughn and Christopher Nolan. Nearly 3,000 people took our courses during 2007 and an increasing number of professionals attend.
‘I was a runner until Raindance courses gave me the information I needed to launch my career’ – Matthew Vaughn (director, Stardust)
Raindance.tv
This online exclusive independent film channel delivers the best in independent filmmaking via high quality, streaming video direct to your PC or Mac, including the best feature films, shorts and documentaries from the Raindance Film Festival. The online TV channel was designed to give filmmakers and film enthusiasts the chance to see quality work from all over the globe. Raindance.tv is is also currently featured on Joost.
Raindance aims to become recognised as the voice of independent filmmaking in Europe by instituting sustained growth through targeted partnerships with ambitious organisations which share its vision.
Boozin’ n’ Schmoozin’ ‘The Raindance Film Festival and The British Independent Film This is a new event created at the suggestion of Raindance course Awards make a unique and very attendees and members. It’s an informal networking event held on the special contribution to independ- second Monday of every month and is for new filmmakers as well as those ent film in the UK. They should be taken extremely seriously’ already in the industry. Mike Leigh Director / Secrets & Lies / Naked / Vera Drake Raindance Film Club
Raindance Film Club started in early 2007 and has proved to be popular with the Raindance crowd. A monthly event, Film Club was created as an alternative night out for film fans; entry is free, the films are great and the beer is cheap!
The films selected for Film Club are mostly picked from previous Raindance festivals, covering a wide spectrum of topics and genres. They are often challenging, always entertaining and never leave the audience unsatisfied. Where possible we invite the director or producer to attend for a Q&A. Past screenings include: The Inheritance, Twenty To Life: The Life And Times Of John Sinclair, Let’s Get Lost and the Ballad Of AJ Weberman.
For further information please call Joe Pearshouse on 020 7287 3833 or email [email protected]