Competition Passholders: As a result of the laminate round your neck says as a lot about your persona as your Letterboxd.

For 34 years, Raindance has been the beating coronary heart of unbiased movie in Europe, now the continent’s largest, boldest, and most delightfully unruly competition for filmmakers who refuse to ask permission.

Since 1993, we’ve welcomed 1000’s of creators, dreamers, rebels, college students, A-listers, no-listers, and people mysterious trade figures who in some way seem at each VIP bar regardless of by no means being on the listing.

And whereas the movies are the rationale we collect, let’s be sincere: the passholders are the true spectacle. Each laminate unlocks not simply screenings and events, however total personalities. Complete species, even.

After three a long time within the trenches, we’ve discovered to recognise them from twenty metres away.

Competition passholders are available in seven flavours — every one immediately recognisable from twenty metres away, often as a result of they’re arguing with a volunteer or bragging a couple of panel.

So, within the grand Raindance custom of affectionate mischief — listed below are The Raindance Seven: 7 Forms of Competition Passholders

Let’s meet the herd.

1. The Extremely-Proud Filmmaker Passholder

Their movie is displaying as soon as — MAYBE twice — however they’re carrying that move prefer it’s an Oscar statuette.
They’ll casually point out their screening time in each sentence:
“Oh hello — I’m on at 18:20 Thursday. Did I point out I’m on at 18:20 Thursday?”

They attend each occasion as a result of somebody would possibly recognise them.
Somebody received’t.
However we love the optimism.

2. The Business Passholder Who Is aware of Precisely The place the Free Drinks Are

They don’t watch movies.
They navigate receptions like a seasoned archaeologist unearthing hidden bottles of prosecco.

Will say:
“I’m actually right here to satisfy expertise.”
Translation:
“I haven’t seen a film since 2014.”

Should you spot them, observe discreetly — they know the place the canapé trays are earlier than the employees does.

3. The Panel-Hopper Passholder

Goes to EVERY panel.
Asks questions at EVERY panel.
Has opinions about filmmaking regardless of by no means having truly made a movie longer than 47 seconds.

Carries a pocket book titled “My Movie Profession.”
Pocket book is empty.
They’ll nonetheless quote Phoebe Waller-Bridge at you till you collapse.

4. The “I’m Solely Right here As a result of My Accomplice’s a Filmmaker” Passholder

They don’t perceive the place they’re.
They don’t need to be right here.
They thought this was going to be a traditional date night time.

Now they’re 5 movies deep into Romanian magical realism and pretending to benefit from the expertise.
Bless them.
They’re attempting.

5. The Overconfident Pupil Passholder

Contemporary from a filmmaking course, bursting with enthusiasm and cortisol.

Tells everybody:
“I’m engaged on a function.”
The function is three bullet factors of their Notes app.

Nonetheless — we admire the hustle.
They’ll both be directing the subsequent A24 hit or promoting NFTs by Christmas.

6. The Volunteer-Turned-Energy-Consumer

They volunteer one 12 months, get the move the subsequent 12 months, and immediately turn into Raindance aristocracy.
Is aware of each venue.
Is aware of each filmmaker.
Is aware of which seats squeak and which of them don’t.

Will typically whisper to newcomers:
“Keep on with me — I do know the place they conceal the wristbands.”

7. The “I Am Getting My Cash’s Price” Passholder

This individual is unstoppable.
They attend 14 screenings in three days.
They dwell on £3 Tesco sandwiches and adrenaline.

Volunteers recognise them.
Filmmakers recognise them.
The chairs recognise them.

If Raindance provided a move that included sleeping baggage for Display screen 2, they’d purchase it.

The Raindance Movie Competition Cross

After thirty-four years of Raindance mayhem, one fact stays everlasting: the competition move isn’t only a laminate, it’s your passport to the unusual, chaotic, joyful ecosystem we name unbiased cinema. And in the event you’ve recognised your self (or a number of of your pals) on this listing, congratulations: you’re one among us.

Which brings me to the very best bit.

For the vacation season, we’re knocking an unbelievable 37% off Raindance Competition Passes.

Sure, actually. No catch, no gimmick, no guerrilla shootout required. Only a once-a-year probability to hitch Europe’s largest and oldest unbiased movie competition for a fraction of the value.

Whether or not you’re a filmmaker, a binge-watcher, a panel-hopper, or a free-prosecco hunter — that is your second.

Seize your move now.
Turn into the passholder you had been destined to be.

Get your move HERE

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