Prolific Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels Filmmaker Guy Ritchie to receive Auteur Award at Raindance Film Festival 2017

Raindance Film Festival today announced that the iconic British filmmaker, Guy Ritchie will receive the festival’s annual Raindance Auteur Award, recognising his achievements in filmmaking and ongoing contribution to the film industry.

The award will be presented by Raindance Festival Founder, Elliot Grove, on Tuesday, August 15th, 2017, at The Mayfair Hotel where Mr. Ritchie will be the special guest of honour at the Raindance 25th Anniversary drinks soiree.

Guy Ritchie is widely recognised as an accomplished filmmaker who balances the art of telling cinematic character driven stories featuring humour, intricate plots, memorable dialogue, fresh visuals and unforgettable characters.

Ritchie started his career in the British film industry as a runner, before working his way up to a director of commercials and videos. His writing and directing feature film debut, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, set in London’s criminal underworld, was made on a modest budget of under £1 million, premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, went onto break British box office records and garnered worldwide critical acclaim. The London Film Critics Circle named Ritchie the British Screenwriter of the Year for the film, the film also received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best British Film, and five nominations at The British Independent Film Awards including Best British Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, The Douglas Hickox Award (Directional Debut) and it won the Best Achievement in Production award – The BIFAs were founded by Raindance Film Festival founder Elliot Grove.

A prestigious career ensued with Ritchie writing and directing films from gritty crime capers Snatch, Revolver and RocknRolla, through to Hollywood heavyweights including the Sherlock Holmes blockbusters, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and most recently the epic fantasy action adventure King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword. Ritchie next brings his dynamic style to Disney’s live-action, Aladdin, which he will direct and begin shooting later this year.

In addition to Ritchie’s feature work, his diverse directing credits include a short film starring David Beckham for his H&M line, another short film, Star, which featured in Series 1 of the popular BMW series The Hire, and the short film for Nike, Take It to the Next Level, which follows the rise and fame of an up-and-coming Dutch footballer. Featuring the industry’s best players, the promo was an ambitious undertaking for Ritchie going to win a Gold Lion at the 2008 Cannes International Advertising Festival.

“We could not be more thrilled that Guy Ritchie will be the recipient of this year’s Raindance Auteur Award,” said Elliot Grove, Founder of Raindance. “Guy has always been a great supporter of ours, having attended Raindance back in the early 90s. Guy has gone onto become a prominent figure in film, breathing new life into the British film industry when he exploded onto the scene with his cult crime comedies. Over the years, Guy has developed into a unique and stylish storyteller, we could not think of a more fitting artistic talent for this award.”

The 25th Raindance Film Festival will take place from September 20th – October 1st in London’s West End and will screen over 200 feature films, documentaries, web series, music videos and virtual reality experiences.

Next week the Festival will announce its festival programme at Vue West End on Tuesday, August 15th.

Festival passes can be purchased through the Festival website.

ABOUT RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
Discover. Be Discovered.
Listed by Variety as one of the world’s top 50 ‘unmissable film festivals’, Raindance showcases features, shorts, music videos, virtual reality films and web series by filmmakers from the UK and around the world celebrating and supporting independent, new and alternative filmmakers not just during our 12 day festival but throughout the year.

Raindance Film Festival is officially recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences USA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the British Independent Film Awards. Selected shorts will qualify for Oscar® and BAFTA nominations. British short films that play in competition and all British features that play in 2016 will be eligible for entry for the 2016 British Independent Film Awards BIFA.

ABOUT RAINDANCE – THE VOICE OF INDEPENDENT FILM
Raindance is dedicated to fostering and promoting independent film in the UK and around the world. Based in the heart of London, Raindance combines Raindance Film Festival, Training Courses, which are offered throughout the year through its 11 international hubs and the prestigious British Independent Film Awards.

RAINDANCE - THE BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS
The British Independent Film Awards, now in its 19th year, was founded by Elliot Grove, founder of Raindance Film Festival. Sharing a similar ethos to Raindance Film Festival, The BIFAs highlight and award the best, most innovative and creative independent filmmaking and filmmakers in the UK. The BIFAs identify and encourage emerging talent, support and celebrate the independent film community and promote British film and talent to the public.