02/09/2009

The 17th edition of the UK’s largest independent film festival - the Raindance Film Festival (September 30 – October 11) – will feature its usual eclectic mix of cutting edge films. This year’s line-up features 75 features and over 150 shorts.

A pair of American indies will bookend the festival with Lynn Shelton’s Humpday opening and Steven Soderbergh’s The Girfriend Experience closing the festival. The homegrown UK strand will feature British filmmaking talent, including the European Premiere ofBen Wheatley’s Down Terrace, the World Premiere of Jamie Thraves’ The Cry Of The Owl, starring Julia Stiles and Paddy Considine, and Stuart Hazeldine’s Exam starring Jimi Mistry, Luke Mably and Colin Salmon. Also featuring will be the remarkable horror film Colin, made by Marc Price for just £45.

Other British selections include Dom Shaw’s All The years of Trying, Emily Harris Yoni Bentovim’s Borges and I, Alan Miles’ Breaking Rocks, Gareth Jones’ Desire, Gordon Mason’s They Call It Acid,Brett Sullivan’s Special When Lit, Oly Ralfe’s The Mighty Boosh Tour Doc and John Edginton’s Robyn Hitchcock, I Dream of Trains.

This year’s jury includes actor Riz Ahmed (Shifty [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), writer/director Armando Iannucci (In The Loop [+see also:
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film profile]), critic Peter Bradshaw, actress Kerry Fox (Bright Star [+see also:
film review
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film profile]), director Momoko Ando (Kakera), artist Billy Childish, Christine Langan, Creative Director, BBC Films; writer/documentary filmmaker Jon Ronson (The Men Who Stare At Goats), producer Andy Williams and legendary musician/actor Tom Waits.