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The RAI FILM Festival will take place in Bristol (UK) from 11 to 15 June 2025, and online (available worldwide) from 16 June – 16 July, including the online film conference from 1 to 4 July.

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The Heavenly Court in Song Family Village

Directed by Gary Seaman, Steven Rousso-Schindler, Zhifang Song

2009 – 30'

Synopsis

Religious life in the village is highly gendered, with female shamans dominating most religious activities. These shamanesses and their gods are organised as a “court”, which expresses a hierarchy of power and prestige analogous to the traditional Chinese imperium focused on the emperor and his ministers.

RAI FILM Festival 2025

The next RAI FILM Festival will take place in person from 27-30 March 2025 at the Watershed Cinema and the Arnolfini International Centre for Contemporary Arts in Bristol (UK) and online throughout the month of April 2025.