Raphaela is an ever curious writer-director with a strong interest in exploring the boundary between realism and fantasy and using it to spotlight important themes. Her latest project Saitenstich premiered at the oscar-qualifying Chicago International Children’s Film Festival and was aired on Swiss Television SRF1 in 2022. Raphaela finished the Raindance Masters programme in 2023, writing the pilot episode of her historical fantasy TV series OnceOne as part of her final thesis.

Molly has a keen background in film events, from film fundraising to documentary film nights and short film festivals. She was able to share her passion across the world whilst living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, hosting a successful documentary night which she has then brought back to London while she studies with Raindance. She is excited to make films that tackle prevalent social issues in British society particularly focusing on women.

Lizzie is an award-winning actress with a degree from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles and a MA in Filmmaking (distinction) from Raindance Film School. Lizzie worked in Hollywood and London for many years and has worked on a variety of short films as an actress before moving into the world of producing. Her producing debut was the short film Disarm starring Sophia Myles and her female-led short The Carer recently made its UK premiere at the BAFTA qualifying Underwire festival. Lizzie is passionate about making female-centred work and representing a side of society that isn’t typically shown on screen.

Jacqueline Pietsch is a screenwriter, storyteller and journalist based in France. She draws inspiration from the huge diversity of people and situations she has encountered on her global travels for AFP news agency. She is currently developing several projects during her Masters, including a television series about the black market trade in kidneys.

James is a Scottish producer, screenwriter and director (MA Filmmaking, Raindance) based in the USA. A graduate of The Oxford School of Drama, with an acting resume spanning 15 years, he initially graduated in Business Studies from the Robert Gordon University before completing his MSc Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London. James has worked with many business leaders at boardroom level, as well as international sports and entertainment organisations, on organisational psychology, corporate well-being and employee mental health. 

Nanni joined the MA in Filmmaking at Raindance after attaining a BA (Hons) in Media & English Literature focused on screen studies and adaptation. Following the Writer-Director pathway, Nanni is currently completing her first short film: a thriller that acts as a feminist critique of the existing systems to protect women from sexual harassment. She is further working on her first feature-length screenplay and collaborating with Raindance MA alumna and writer Jenna Hawkins on bringing her short script to life.

Isaac is a business person, author, broadcaster, producer, storyteller, musical artist and actor. He has been involved in filmmaking since 2013 and has made six feature films and co-written several scripts. He is the founder and Director of Zoe Records UK, the premier British Gospel record label which he established in 1999. He started the film imprint Zoe Films UK in 2013. Isaac is also studying for the Masters in Filmmaking at Raindance.

Gareth was the first indie published bestseller and a former lawyer who is the founder of the UK’s leading indie publishing house. He has spent a decade disrupting the publishing industry driven by a passion to help new talent tell their stories. He is a public speaker and guest lecturer at various universities including NFTS. Following the writer-director pathway at Raindance, he is delivering a Proof of Concept for his first feature, Lola. He is interested in the stories of powerful individuals that challenge accepted narratives.

Meliz is a writer/director who strives for authenticity within her work, being a female British Turkish-Cypriot, she aims to visually tell stories through her unique perspective, with the aim to impart meaning, connection and intrigue into the worlds and characters she portrays. Her films appropriate her own lived experiences to enhance their realistic nature, addressing these common experiences she draws into question the deeper psychological backlash generated outwardly and subconsciously on a given topic. Her debut short film Traces demonstrates her directorial style, having made its film festival debut at the 2022 Raindance Film Festival, it has since screened at the Peckham Filmmakers Autumn Showcase, London Director Awards Festival, & NRFF Love Story Festival. It received its first nomination for Best UK Short at NRFF Love Story Festival. Meliz’s ongoing aim is to portray thought provoking life experiences through female perspective, and is supported as an emerging film writer and director.