15/10/2008

The Blue Tower, a British Asian drama, which is writer/director Smita Bhide’s feature debut, has scooped the Best UK Feature Award at the 16th Raindance Film Festival.

The other nominees were Matthew Thompson’s Dummy, David Howard’s Flick, Simon Hynd’s Senseless and Samuel Holland’s Zebra Crossings.

Zebra Crossings won the newly instituted Audience Award.

Marcos Jorge’s Brazil/Italy co-production Estômago won the Best International Feature award, while Red Sands won both Best UK Short and Film of the Festival awards. A Juicy Turkey from France won Best International Short, Production Office won Best Debut Feature while Indestructible took home the award for Best Documentary.

This year’s festival saw attendance up by 40%, with attendees including Faye Dunaway, the Arctic Monkeys, Martin Freeman, Adam Yauch, Bill Nighy, Sir George Martin and Giles Martin, Alfonso Cuaron and Jonas Cuaron, Corey Feldman and Les Claypool.

Festival Director Elliott Grove said, “Raindance has been even bigger and better this year, giving the audience a diverse range of films from across the globe. We’ve had fantastic support from the stars and filmmakers, making for more talker events and masterclasses. In its 16th year, Raindance Film Festival is proof that independent cinema is alive and well!”