Other highlights include Raindance East with new work from Asia featuring Asoka, the latest Bollywood spectacular, and A Quiet Desperation by a first time London Asian filmmaker.

The American independent sector is represented by fifteen films, including The Fluffer and Hey, Happy by the hot new Canadian director Noam Gonick.

The most controversial is Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter - a film created for less than UKP10,000 that portrays the Son of God as a fearless action hero who battles and destroys a coven of lesbian vampires using a combination of Kung Fu and humour.

Raindance Kids is for kids of all ages. Screenings of shorts and features for children include Ra Tim Bum Castle - the Brazillian Harry Potter - Le Ballon D'Or a inspirational tale of a young African footballer. There are also five filmmaking and animation workshops take place at the Clapham Picture House October 22 - 26.

Raindance Film Festival includes a wide range of seminars and workshops during the event. Filmmaker-in-residence Mike Figgis gives a Digital Cinema Masterclass on October 12/13. Director Shekhur Kapur presents the Alexander McKendrick Memorial lecture on Tuesday October 23, interviewed by Derek Malcolm.

Live!Ammunition! - the popular pitching panel returns to Raindance on October 19.

Passes are still available for the entire event for UKP75 (UKP60 members and concs) Please call 020 7287 3833 for a leaflet. Our site is just being redone and details are posted daily at www.raindance.co.uk