Raindance celebrates 25 years with the Independant Filmmakers Ball

As part of their 25th anniversary celebration, Raindance Film Festival partnered with the Independent Film Trust to throw their famous ‘Independent Filmmakers Ball’ to raise funds for the IFT’s great work.

Held at London’s famous Café de Paris, celebrity guests that turned out to support the worthy cause included Sadie Frost, Dakota Blue Richards (ITV’s Endeavour), Ashley Walters (Top Boy) and his beautiful wife, Danielle Walters (Chewing Gum), Nick Hendrix (Midsomer Murders), Tanya Franks (Chewing Gum), Christian Vit (Holby City) and Catherine Bailey (A Quiet Passion).

After the glitz and glamour of the red carpet, guests were treated to drinks and toe-tapping live swing music from the incomparable Natty Congeroo & The Flames of Rhythm, who made sure that everyone was up and dancing long into the night. Raindance and BIFA founder, Elliot Grove went on to host the annual fundraising raffle alongside Dakota Blue Richards and Christian Vit, which offered some tempting prizes. The finale being the much coveted prize of a pair of tickets to the British Independent Film Awards, providing the winner a chance to mingle with some of their favourite film stars.

A UK charity, set up to advance the cause of independent filmmaking, The Independent Film Trust (IFT) is known for their association with Raindance, which has been offering support for independent filmmakers in the UK since 1992.

The IFT have worked with primary school, The Link, providing courses for children with learning difficulties, and have also collaborated with Pursuing Independent Paths (PIP), a London charity for adults with learning difficulties, teaching courses enabling students to make their own films.