Catalonia, guest of honour at the 31st edition of Raindance Film Festival
25 October - 4 December
Various
31st edition of Raindance Film Festival
The Raindance Film Festival is celebrating its 31st edition this year, which will take place in London from October 25 to November 4. Consolidated as the largest independent film festival in the UK, the event will welcome Catalonia as the guest of honour, a presence promoted by the Ministry of Culture through the Catalan Institute for Cultural Companies (ICEC) and its brand for the internationalisation of the Catalan audiovisual industry Catalan Films and the Ramon Llull Institute (IRL), with a curated selection of Catalan titles and professional activities.
La Singla +Q&A dir. Paloma Zapata
October 28, 2023 / 9:00 pm / Vue Piccadilly / Nominated for Best Documentary Feature
The heart-breaking story of flamenco dancer Antonia Singla who was born in the suburbs of Barcelona. Having become deaf shortly after birth, she learned to dance in silence, achieving great success in Germany. Revolutionizing the world of flamenco, she disappeared from the stage forever before she turned 40.
Tender Metalheads + Q&A dir. Joan Tomàs, Carlos Pérez-Reche, Juanjo Sáez
October 27, 2023 / 9:00 pm / Vue Piccadilly / Nominated for Best International Feature
Exploring the relationship between two teenage boys from Barcelona in 1991, Juanjo is overprotected by his family and Miquel belongs to a difficult one with an absent father. Both will find refuge from the grey world in which they live through their friendship and love of heavy music.
Closing Night Gala: Un Amor dir. Isabel Coixet
November 4, 2023 / 5:30 pm / Curzon Soho / Nominated for Best Director (Isabel Coixet) and Best Performance (Laia Costa)
Escaping her overwhelming life in the city, 30-year-old Natalia finds refuge in the small village of La Escapa, deep in the Spanish countryside. When confronted with the hostility of her landlord and the distrust of the local villagers, Nat finds herself giving in to an unsettling sexual proposal from her neighbour Andreas.
Upon Entry dir. Alejandro Rojas, Juan Sebastián Vásquez
October 27, 2023 / 6:20 pm / Curzon Soho / Nominated for Discovery Award and Best Screenplay (Alejandro Rojas, Juan Sebastián Vásquex)
Upon their arrival at Newark’s airport with their approved residence visas, Diego and Elena are unexpectedly held and subjected to an interrogation by border agents who insist on a final interview. Testing the couple’s stability, we explore the reality of the US immigration system.
Shorts Programme – Catalan Connections + Q&A
October 26, 2023 / 9:00 pm / Vue Piccadilly
A vibrant mosaic of cinematic styles, this collection of short films is a jubilant homage to the rich tapestry of Catalonian cinema. These diverse narratives exemplify the creative spirit and artistic innovation that Catalonia is contributing to the world of filmmaking. This anthology is a bold tribute to that, and presents a dynamic celebration of Catalonian cinema’s enduring legacy and its bold, ever-evolving expression.
As for industry activities, the festival will offer different talks, a co-production meeting and a masterclass with Catalan director Carla Simón.
Read more at Catalanfilms.cat
From Catalan Films (ICEC), supported by Institut Ramon Llull
