Raindance Film Festival has announced that acclaimed actress, writer and comedian Miriam Margolyes and American film director and co-founder of Troma Entertainment film studio Lloyd Kaufman are the recipients of this year’s Raindance Icon Awards, presented as part of the festival’s 34th edition (17-26 June).
Margolyes will receive her Icon Award at Raindance’s Opening Gala on 17 June, after the UK premiere of April X (dir: Michel K. Parandi, USA).
Lloyd Kaufman’s daughter, Lily Hayes Kaufman (whose debut feature Occupy Cannes has its UK premiere at Raindance on 18 June), will accept her father’s Icon Award on his behalf.
A posthumous Raindance Icon Award will be presented to rock & roll icon Eddie Cochran – the influential subject of closing gala Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me (dir: Kirsty Bell, UK).
Presented to Eddie’s sister and mum, this Icon Award is set to be displayed alongside his original Gretsch guitar and his other trophies at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
Margolyes said: “Can’t believe at 85, I’m winning awards and possibly even deserving them!!
“Everyone in our business knows it’s a TEAM EVENT and I’ve shamelessly used other people’s talents to get there.
“Mind you, it took a while. Jeremy Irons gave me lessons in film acting in Being Julia but I’ve never known how to scale down a perf. I’m thrilled and grateful and just wish Mummy and Daddy could know I made it in the end.”
Raindance founder Elliot Grove added: “Miriam’s extraordinary career across film, television and theatre, together with her immense contribution to British culture and storytelling, makes her a truly deserving recipient of the Raindance Icon Award.
“Among her many roles, Miriam recently starred in the Oscar-nominated short film A Friend of Dorothy, directed by Lee Knight.
“We are especially proud that A Friend of Dorothy premiered at Raindance in 2025, making it a particular pleasure to honour Miriam at this year’s festival.”
The Raindance Icon Award is the festival’s “signature award, honouring and celebrating the icons of independent cinema in the UK and internationally: those who make an authentic and iconic impression via the medium of film”, organisers concluded.
