Raindance started with a handful of dust 33 years ago. And if you add up all the days of all the festivals it comes to 366 days – an entire year of Raindance Film Festival. And I have been at every single day of every festival!
So, Ive been thinking: How or why would anyone other than my immediate family want to come to Raindance.
Here are 10 great ways to navigate Raindance:
Here’s how to make sure you walk away with much more than just a ticket stub.
1. 🎟️ Pick the Right Pass for You
Don’t just show up—show up prepared.
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Festival Pass: Full access to screenings, panels, and events.
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Indie Film Forum Pass: Over 35 industry talks at 194 Piccadilly.
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Day Pass: Perfect if you’re attending for just a day or two.
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Raindance Membership (Create or Pro): Offers year-round perks—course discounts, VIP invites, and pro-level filmmaker resources.
- Have you thought about bringing the festival experience to an outsider? You can Donate to our partner charity Independent Film Trust
🎯 Pro Tip: A membership often pays for itself in just a few events—and keeps you plugged into the Raindance community all year.
2. 🗓️ Build a Smart Schedule
With hundreds of events, planning is essential.
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Prioritise premieres, director Q&As, and key panels.
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Leave some breathing room for spontaneous picks.
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Explore UK shorts, docs, and horror showcases—often where breakout talent emerges.
🎯 Pro Tip: Watch one film that’s totally outside your usual taste. Discovery is what festivals are all about.
3. 🤝 Network Like You Mean It
Everyone at Raindance is a potential collaborator, mentor, or future teammate.
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Prepare a 30-second pitch about who you are and what you’re working on.
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Attend pub hangouts, meetups, and afterparties—they’re where real connections happen.
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Don’t just aim for the big names—talk to volunteers, students, and fellow indie creators.
🎯 Pro Tip: Ask, “What’s the project you’re most excited about right now?”—a way better opener than “So, what do you do?”
4. 🎤 Be the One Who Asks the Question
Panels aren’t just passive experiences—engage!
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Ask thoughtful, concise questions. You’ll stand out for it.
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Jot down insights you can use in pitches, scripts, or applications later.
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Follow up with speakers on social media with a short, personal message.
🎯 Pro Tip: Try: “Loved your take on co-productions at Raindance. Would love to connect.”
5. 📱 Share the Festival Experience
Social media can be a powerful creative calling card.
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Tag @Raindance and use the official festival hashtag #Raindance2025.
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Post speaker quotes, event snapshots, or short film reviews.
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Engage with others’ posts—it’s a way to build connections before you’ve even said hello IRL.
🎯 Pro Tip: Share something useful or inspiring each day. It positions you as someone worth following.
6. 💼 Pitch with Finesse
Met someone who could help your project? Don’t launch into a pitch—build rapport first.
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Ask if you can follow up post-festival.
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Keep your follow-up clear, brief, and sent within 72 hours.
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Be specific and polite—no long-winded monologues needed.
🎯 Pro Tip: “Hi [Name], great meeting you at Raindance. I really enjoyed our chat about [topic]. I’d love to follow up on [brief project mention]. When’s a good time?”
7. 🧠 Keep a Festival Journal
Capture the moments, lessons, and lightbulb ideas before they fade.
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Write down insights from panels, Q&As, and screenings.
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List people you met and any promised follow-ups.
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Note sparks of inspiration for your own work.
🎯 Pro Tip: Your journal could feed a blog post, newsletter, or even your next grant application.
8.🌱 Keep the Momentum Going
Raindance doesn’t end when the credits roll.
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Submit your own short or feature next year.
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Join a Raindance course or masterclass to deepen your skills.
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Collaborate with someone you met at the festival.
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Pitch to the Raindance blog or explore their Talent Development Programme.
🎯 Pro Tip: Email the Raindance team post-festival to ask how to stay involved—or volunteer at the next edition.
9. Final Thought: Be Present, Be Curious
The magic of Raindance is in the unexpected.
Talk to strangers. Watch films you’ve never heard of. Follow your gut to the weird little panel in the back room.
That might just be where your next big idea—or collaborator—is waiting.
10, Navigate Raindance Film Festival Programme
🎬 Want More?
If you’re attending Raindance for the first time and would like a printable checklist or a PDF version of this guide, drop us a line or visit raindance.org. Hope you can Navigate Raindance
#Raindance2025
#IndieFilmForever
#NoMoreWhatIfs
