Raindance announces Canon Europe as main sponsor of the 33rd Raindance Film Festival. Festival set to return to Vue Piccadilly in June for the biggest edition post pandemic

Britain’s biggest independent film festival, Raindance announces Canon Europe as the Main Sponsor of the 33rd Raindance Film Festival. This significant new collaboration will be formally announced during Raindance’s annual Filmmakers’ Villa Party in Cannes on 18 May – which this year will be hosted in partnership with Canon. Raindance will further use its event at Cannes to reveal highlights of the upcoming festival, with the full programme set to be revealed and tickets on sale from Monday 19 May.

CANON EUROPE ANNOUNCED AS MAIN SPONSOR

The 33rd Raindance Film Festival welcomes Canon Europe as Main Sponsor. As Main Sponsor, Canon’s presence will be central to many aspects of the festival. This year’s industry hub will occupy One Ninetyfour: located under the BAFTA building at 194 Piccadilly, this space will be re-branded the Canon Lounge, a film-focused place created to inspire a new and upcoming generation of indie filmmakers. Within the Canon Lounge will be a dedicated area where filmmakers can interact with Canon experts throughout the festival, alongside showcase elements that demonstrate the full scope and potential of Canon products including a 360-degree photobooth.

Raindance’s Industry Programme of talks and masterclasses will feature a special Cinematography Day Presented by Canon, with guest speakers and brand ambassadors exploring Canon’s wide-ranging product lines. This year’s festival trailer will be shot using the latest Canon equipment, and Canon cameras will be utilised by Raindance’s production and marketing/social media teams throughout the festival.

Raindance founder Elliot Grove says: “In film as in life, it can be arduous without a partner – but having the wrong partner can also be challenging. That’s why I’m delighted to welcome Canon Europe as Raindance’s Main Sponsor. Their dynamic range of cameras are indispensable to so many independent filmmakers, making the magical art of filmmaking more readily accessible. Exactly like Raindance, Canon enables filmmakers to focus on the stories they are determined to tell.”

Jack Adair, Cinema & Broadcast Marketing Lead at Canon Europe, adds: “Canon has long championed the next generation of filmmakers, and our partnership with Raindance reflects our shared commitment to empowering independent voices and bold storytelling. From hands-on experiences with our latest tech to thought-provoking industry sessions, it’ll be incredible to see the creativity and passion this inspiring event brings to life.”

RAINDANCE RETURNS TO VUE PICCADILLY FOR BIGGEST POST-PANDEMIC EDITION

For the upcoming 33rd edition of the festival (18-27 June), Raindance is set to return to Vue Piccadilly. This will be the first time since 2019 that Raindance will exclusively and entirely occupy a landmark cinema in the heart of London’s West End for the festival’s full duration.

This year the festival will screen 65 features and documentaries (a 75% increase on last year’s edition), alongside shorts programmes, a comprehensive industry programme, and an expansive VR programme – making this the biggest edition of Raindance post-pandemic, and the first time since 2019 that Raindance has determined to showcase so many films.

Festival highlights will be announced at the Raindance Filmmakers’ Villa Party in Cannes on Sunday 18 May, with full festival details revealed and tickets on sale from Monday 19 May.