The Hat starring Jude Law & Raff Law wins at Raindance Film Festival

THE HAT, the directorial debut of Darren Strowger starring Jude Law and Raff Law, has been awarded the ‘Spirit of the Festival’ award at the 2020 Raindance Film Festival. Shot during lockdown, THE HAT has an original score was performed by The Who’s Pete Townshend.

Festival director Elliot Grove said of the award-winning short film, “Raindance is thrilled to declare THE HAT as the recipient of the Spirit of the Festival Award. Not only was The Hat made during Lockdown, what Darren has done is pioneered a new and disruptive model for financing charitable causes. Using named talent coupled with ‘indie-sized’ budgets - the profits from the films will be donated to charity. In the case of The Hat - the profits will be donated to teen cancer charities. Raindance is excited to be involved in this exciting venture.”

THE HAT is the first in a planned series of shorts to benefit these cancer charities. In an unprecedented move any profits from streaming revenue will also go directly to the charities. As we enter this second phase of lockdown these charities are in dire need of fundraising. Director Darren Strowger also added ,“In the UK there has been a significant drop in funds for teen cancer charities due to the Pandemic, if this shortfall is not made up it could mean that they could be forced to reduce their support for teenagers with cancer. This is a dreadful situation for young people’s mental, emotional, and physical health while going through cancer, at a time when they are immunocompromised during this Pandemic.’

THE HAT was due to receive its World Premiere at the Raindance Film Festival on 6th November 2020, but due to the national guidelines, this has now been moved to December 2020.