Raindance Founder Elliot Grove Warns Against 'Algorithmic Sameness,' Highlights Horror's Rise at 34th Festival
By
Rafa Sales Ross
Crispy enough to crunch, soft enough to enjoy. A good bake.
Summary
Raindance Film Festival founder Elliot Grove discusses the 34th edition of the U.K.'s largest independent film festival, which screens 85 features, 112 short films, and 27 immersive projects from June 17-26. The festival has seen a 90% increase in feature films after scaled-down editions, with 56% of features from first-time directors. Grove champions horror filmmakers as some of the most dynamic in the industry and expresses concern about 'algorithmic sameness' in filmmaking, emphasizing the need for independent voices and diverse storytelling.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledRaindance, the largest independent film festival in the U.K., was born out of a desire to platform underseen and upcoming talent.
Last year, the festival ballooned after a few scaled-down editions, with a whopping 90% increase in feature films.
56% of features coming from first-time directors.
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