The Raindance Film Festival has officially announced the jury award nominees for its 34th edition, set to run from 17–26 June at Vue Piccadilly. Recognised as one of the world’s leading independent film festivals, Raindance will showcase a diverse lineup of international features, documentaries, UK productions, horror films, and Oscar®-qualifying shorts.
This year’s festival introduces a new category, Best Horror Feature, alongside established awards including Best International Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best UK Feature, and the Discovery Award for Best Debut Feature.
Among the standout nominees for Best International Feature are April X by Michel K. Parandi, Paro: The Untold Story of Bride Slavery by Gajendra Vitthal Ahire, and Silent Rebellion by Marie-Elsa Sgualdo. The category highlights emerging filmmakers and socially driven storytelling from around the globe.
The Best Documentary Feature lineup includes Copeland, a portrait of Stewart Copeland, Gaslit, executive produced by Jane Fonda, and Our Colours Never Fade, documenting LGBTQ Ukrainians defending their country during the war.
In the newly launched Best Horror Feature category, titles such as Corporate Retreat, Pinocchio: Unstrung, and Friday the 69th will compete for the inaugural Roger Corman Award.
British cinema also takes centre stage with nominees for Best UK Feature, including Macbeth, Landship, Modem, and Rooted Out: Chapter 1, the latter inspired by the aftermath of the 2024 Southport riots.
Raindance’s short film programme continues to maintain Academy Award® qualifying status. Winners in the Best Live Action Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animation Short categories become eligible for Oscar® consideration without the standard theatrical run, provided Academy rules are met.
The 2026 jury includes acclaimed actors and filmmakers such as Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jacob Anderson, Denise Gough, Rose Ayling-Ellis, and Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor.
Festival organisers confirmed that winners will be announced during the Raindance Jury Awards Ceremony on 26 June.
Full nominee details are available at Raindance Film Festival