Actress, writer, and comedian Miriam Margolyes and American filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman have been named recipients of the 2026 Raindance Icon Awards, part of the festival’s 34th edition running from 17–26 June in London.

Margolyes will receive her award at the Raindance Opening Gala on 17 June, following the UK premiere of April X (dir. Michel K. Parandi). Kaufman’s award will be accepted on his behalf by his daughter, Lily Hayes Kaufman, whose film Occupy Cannes also screens at the festival.

A posthumous Icon Award will also be presented to rock and roll legend Eddie Cochran. The honour is tied to the closing gala film Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me (dir. Kirsty Bell), and will be received by his family before being displayed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Miriam Margolyes honoured

Born in Oxford in 1941 and trained at Cambridge, Miriam Margolyes has built a long career across film, television, radio, and stage. She won a BAFTA for The Age of Innocence and has appeared in films including Little Dorrit, Little Shop of Horrors, Magnolia, and Harry Potter.

Known for her wide range of roles and distinctive voice work, Margolyes has also written several books, with her latest, Miriam’s Full English, published in 2026. On receiving the award, she said:

Can’t believe at 85, I’m winning awards and possibly even deserving them. It’s a team effort and I’ve been lucky to work with so many talented people. I’m thrilled and grateful.

Raindance founder Elliot Grove praised her long career and contribution to British storytelling, calling her “a truly deserving recipient” of the award.

Lloyd Kaufman and Troma’s legacy

Lloyd Kaufman, co-founder of Troma Entertainment, is known for decades of independent filmmaking outside the studio system. Working alongside Michael Herz, he built Troma into one of the longest-running independent film companies in the world.

Best known for cult titles like The Toxic Avenger and Tromeo and Juliet, Kaufman has spent his career pushing low-budget, DIY filmmaking and helping open doors for independent creators. Troma has released more than 1,000 films over the years and remains a key name in cult cinema.

About the award

The Raindance Icon Award celebrates figures who have made a lasting impact on independent film in the UK and internationally. Previous recipients include Sir Michael Caine, Olivia Colman, Ken Loach, Vanessa Redgrave, Jude Law, and Sally Hawkins, among others.

Featured image courtesy of Raindance Film Festival

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