The Raindance Film Festival in London will feature Christopher M. Anthony (Christopher M.

The festival will end at the international premiere of Camilla Guttner’s art school drama The Academy, where Maja Bons browses as a student in the brutal terrain of the art world.

Raindance founder Elliot Grove said: “Rain days are always people who are overweight, so it is appropriate that the 33rd edition of the festival should be open to the world premiere of the UK debut album About the Wildcard Boxer.”

The festival, held on June 18-27 in Vue Piccadilly, marks a major comeback for 70 narratives and documentaries – a 90% increase from last year, with so many films on the festival since 2019.

The focus of the international competition includes "Dream!" (Paul Spurrier of Thailand, a Christmas musical, after a young girl's magical journey in Thailand; "Grandma Must Die" (Yi Jung Chen, Taiwan), a dark and ridiculous comedy, about three generations living in a small apartment in Taipei. "Hiroshima's Love Song" (Hideyuki Tokigawa, Japan), a call for peace, a kind alien wandering in today's Hiroshima; "Navi: Dear Future Me" (Kenya Kevin Smzler, Valentine Cherengette, Apuwu Murraylin), a child bride focused on Africa; and "No beasts. So fierce." (Burhan Qurbani, Poland/France/Germany), Richard III and actress Kenda Hmeidan is adapted into the daughter of the Arab clan, the daughter of a boss who planned to become the Berlin underworld;

The competition champion also included "Father's Leave" (Alissa Jung of Germany/Italy), a teenage girl heading to the northern coast of Italy to seek her unknown biological father. "Shakespeare's Garret Replogle (US/), where Star Trek meets Shakespeare; "Srishti" (Paul Antar, India), tells a photographer plagued by childhood guilt; "Cattalog" (Bizhan Tong, UK/Hong Kong), a reimagining the cult classic of Richard Linklater; "Elena Manrique, Spain/Belgium, award-winning performance by Beatriz Arjona; and "Poland, Justyna Mytnik", tells a teenage girl facing trauma during sexual assault.

Documentary selections include “Beam Me Up, Sulu” (Timour Gregory, Sasha Schneider, US), exploring the life of “Star Trek” actor George Takei; “Children in Fire” (Evgen Avneevsky of Ukraine), Ukrainian children share their stories; “God as My Witness” (Linsey Q. Pitre, USA), revealing the secret in the Archdiocese of New Orleans; “I hope this helps!” (Daniel M. Freed), exploring AI through Google’s first chatbot; "Santamien" (Gregorio Sassolli of Alejandro Hintes, Italy), an uncompromising view on homelessness and mental illness; and "Social Trap: 5 Women and 5 Big Five" (Elisa Jadot, France), examines the impact of social media on mental health.

The British choice featured the "Breakwater" (Max Morgan), a romance between young Oxford students and retired anglers; "Dali" (Mickey Angelov), a Bulgaria-born American recruited rapper; "Emma: The Last Dance" (Maya Amin Smith), chronicling Emma Hayes's last months at Chelsea Football Club; "Symbiosis" (Helena Berndl, Francesco Maria Gallo), examining the food system; "Calmness" (Toby Robson) after the MMA in Northeast England; "Row" (Matthew Losasso), a thriller about the failed transatlantic boating record; and "Rendlesham UFO: Roderick Godman, Mark Christopher Lee, investigates the 1980 UFO incident.

The horror strand includes “Deformelody: An American Nightmare” (Joshua Rivera, US), “Dirty Boy” (Doug Rao, UK) starring Graham McTavish, “Dui Shaw” (Nuhash Humayun, Bangladesh), “The Run” (Paul Raschid, US/Italy), an interactive film where audiences vote on choices, “White Guilt” (Marcus Flemmings, UK) and “Zhaza” (Darkhan Tulegenov, Kazakhstan).

The festival also celebrates ten years of XR innovation, the tenth edition of "Dream of Rain" has 32 projects. Canon Europe joined the main sponsor to build a Canon lounge hub in a ninety-year-old Piccadilly.

The festival's jury included industry figures such as Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Ashley Walters, Cristo Fernández, Emily Beecham, Iain Glen and Jason Flemyng.

As an Oscar Qualification Festival, winners in the Raindance short film category are eligible for the Oscar consideration.