33rd Raindance Film Festival Announces 2025 Jury Award Winners
The 33rd Raindance Film Festival has announced its 2025 Jury Award winners, recognising outstanding achievements in independent filmmaking. Held from 18–27 June 2025, Raindance continues its tradition of celebrating bold, original voices in global cinema. As an Oscar®-qualifying festival, Raindance honours both feature films and short films across a range of categories.
This year’s Jury Awards ceremony took place on Friday 27 June at The Canon Lounge, 194 Piccadilly, where filmmakers gathered to mark the end of the 2025 edition with accolades for exceptional storytelling and artistic merit.
Best International Feature:
‘NAWI: DEAR FUTURE ME’ (dir. Vallentine Chelluget, Apuu Mourine, Kevin Schmutzler – Kenya)
This powerful drama highlights the issue of child marriage in Africa. It follows a 13-year-old Kenyan girl fighting to escape a forced marriage and pursue education.
Best Performance in a Debut Feature:
Michelle Lemuya Ikeny for ‘NAWI: DEAR FUTURE ME’
Having already won Best Promising Actor at the African Movie Academy Awards, Michelle Lemuya Ikeny is now recognised at Raindance for her standout debut role.
Best Documentary Feature:
‘IMMORTALS’ (dir. Maja Tschumi – Switzerland/Iraq)
A poignant exploration of post-revolution Iraq through the lives of two young activists seeking change in a country torn by conflict.
Discovery Award for Best Debut Feature (The Elisar Cabrera Award):
‘SRISHTI’ (dir. Paul Antar – India)
A haunting mystery-drama that uncovers childhood trauma and forced child labour in remote Himalayan regions.Best Debut Director:
Alissa Jung for ‘PATERNAL LEAVE’ (Germany/Italy)
A moving road trip film that follows a teenager's journey to reconnect with her absent father.
Best UK Director:
Christopher M. Anthony for ‘HEAVYWEIGHT’
A hard-hitting British boxing drama starring Nicholas Pinnock and Jason Isaacs, praised for its intense direction and psychological depth
Best UK Feature:
‘ROW’ (dir. Matthew Losasso – UK)
Set at sea, this thriller follows a lone survivor of a trans-Atlantic rowing expedition who must unravel the mystery of what really happened.
Best Performance in a UK Feature:
Edward Hogg for ‘THE LONELY MUSKETEER’
A tightly-wound closed-room thriller showcasing a gripping solo performance from the English actor.
Best UK Cinematography:
Bruce Jackson for ‘THE LONELY MUSKETEER’
Filmed in monochrome in a single location, the film is praised for its atmospheric and minimalist visual style.
Spirit of Raindance Award:
‘PALESTINE COMEDY CLUB’ (dir. Alaa Aliabdallah – UK)
A moving documentary about Palestinian comedians who use humour as a means of survival and resistance in the face of war.
Raindance Icon Awards 2025
During the Opening Gala, Celia Imrie and Jason Isaacs were each presented with the Raindance Icon Award. A posthumous Icon Award was also presented in honour of Dame Joan Plowright.
For more information on this year’s award-winning films and the full Raindance 2025 programme, visit: www.raindance.org/festival
