Ahead of the full programme announcement of the 34th Raindance Film Festival, the UK’s leading indie film festival has announced this year’s opening and closing galas.
The festival opens on 17 June at Vue West End in Leicester Square with the UK premiere of Michel K. Parandi’s debut feature April X (cin: Nathan Haugaard).
“A multi-award winner at film festivals around the world, this high-octane, near-future thriller stars Connor Storrie (Heated Rivalry) and Lilly Krug (Shattered, Plane) as twins Bax and April.
“When April goes missing, Bax searches every dark corner of the post-Soviet cityscape trying to find her, ultimately descending into madness.”
Vertigo Releasing is set to release April X in the UK and Ireland in September.
Producer Lavinia Postolache said: “We’re honoured for April X to open Raindance. It’s a festival that champions bold, independent voices, and it feels like the perfect home for a story rooted in identity, guilt, and the complexity of human connection.”
The Opening Gala will also feature the first and exclusive festival screening of Gorillaz’s short film The Mountain, the Moon Cave and the Sad God (dir: Jamie Hewlett, Timothy McCourt, Jonathan Djob Nkondo, cin: Edward Tucker), an animated short film by the English virtual band Gorillaz, from their latest album The Mountain.
The festival will then close on 26 June with the European premiere of Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me (dir: Kirsty Bell, cin: Dennis Madden).
“From the Academy Award-winning producers and filmmakers behind acclaimed documentaries like Quant and Ronnie’s comes the first official biography of rock & roll icon Eddie Cochran,” said Raindance.
“Despite his brief 21 years, Cochran’s musical legacy resonates across generations and genres, influencing icons from David Bowie to The Sex Pistols.
“His timeless hits like “C’mon Everybody” and “Summertime Blues” continue to shape the soundtracks of countless lives.
“This landmark documentary explores Cochran’s journey from country roots to rock & roll pioneer, showcasing his profound impact on music history, including his influence on legends ranging from The Beatles to Rod Stewart to Yungblud.”
Director Bell said: “I’m incredibly honoured to bring Don’t Forget Me to Raindance.
“This film was made with enormous love and respect for Eddie, his family and the generations of artists he inspired – so sharing it with a festival that truly champions independent voices means a great deal to me.”
Cochran will also receive a posthumous Raindance Icon Award, which is set to be displayed alongside his other trophies at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
“As a festival that champions emerging filmmakers, Raindance is thrilled to open the 34th edition with April X, a bold and brilliant indie sci-fi from debut director Michel K. Parandi,” concluded Raindance founder Elliot Grove.
“A prolific and award-winning executive producer, Kirsty Bell’s directorial debut A Bird Flew In had its world premiere at Raindance in 2021, so we’re also thrilled to present her sophomore feature Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me, the first Eddie Cochran documentary to be produced with the blessing and cooperation of the Cochran family estate.”
Further programme highlights will be revealed at Raindance’s villa party in Cannes on Sunday 17 May, followed by the full programme announcement on Monday 18 May.
