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Tony Rayns

British writer and film commentator

January 1, 1948 - July 7, 2026 (Age 78)

Source: Wikipedia public record

Antony Rayns (1948 – 2026) was a British writer, commentator, film festival programmer and screenwriter.

Known forBritish writer and film commentator
Age78
DiedJuly 7, 2026
SourceWikipedia public record

Memorial record summary

About this obituary

Antony Rayns (1948 – 2026) was a British writer, commentator, film festival programmer and screenwriter. Tony Rayns died on July 7, 2026. This memorial record includes life dates, public details, and ways for family, friends, and readers to add memories.

Died
July 7, 2026
Record basis
Public record (Wikipedia): Tony Rayns
Details
162 words · enhanced profile

Life and legacy

Obituary

Tony Rayns, 78, died on July 7, 2026. Tony Rayns was known publicly as a British writer and film commentator. Antony Rayns (1948 – 2026) was a British writer, commentator, film festival programmer and screenwriter. He wrote for the underground publication Cinema Rising (its name inspired by Kenneth Anger's Scorpio Rising) before contributing to the Monthly Film Bulletin from the December 1970 issue until its demise in 1991. He has written for the British Film Institute's magazine Sight & Sound since the 1970s, and also contributed extensively to Time Out and to Melody Maker in the late 1970s. He provided commentary tracks for DVD releases of Asian films. He coordinated the Dragons and Tigers competition for Asian films at the Vancouver International Film Festival from 1988 to 2006. Public biographical listings identify Rayns as a British writer and film commentator. This public record remains centered on Rayns's work as a British writer and film commentator and the documented milestones of that career.

Timeline

Key moments

  1. 1948
    Antony Rayns was a British writer

    Antony Rayns (1948 – 2026) was a British writer, commentator, film festival programmer and screenwriter.

  2. 1970
    He wrote for the underground publication Cinema Rising before contr...

    He wrote for the underground publication Cinema Rising (its name inspired by Kenneth Anger's Scorpio Rising) before contributing to the Monthly Film Bulletin from the December 1970 issue until its demise in 1991.

  3. 1988
    He coordinated the Dragons and Tigers competition for Asian films a...

    He coordinated the Dragons and Tigers competition for Asian films at the Vancouver International Film Festival from 1988 to 2006.

  4. 2004
    He has been given two awards for services to Japanese cinema: the K...

    He has been given two awards for services to Japanese cinema: the Kawakita Prize in 2004 and the Foreign Ministry of Japan's Commendation in 2008.

  5. 2005
    In the 1970s, he began a book on Kenji Mizoguchi, which he had not...

    In the 1970s, he began a book on Kenji Mizoguchi, which he had not completed at the time he recorded audio commentary for the Criterion Collection DVD release of Ugetsu in 2005.

  6. July 7, 2026
    Died

    Tony Rayns died at age 78.

At a glance

What to know

Public life

He has written for the British Film Institute's magazine Sight & Sound since the 1970s, and also contributed extensively to Time Out and to Melody Maker in the late 1970s.

Public-source record

This memorial page is built from a public-source record and expanded with structured life details, dates, and tribute tools on OfficialObituary.com. Source retrieved July 8, 2026.

  • Wikipedia · Tony RaynsJul 8, 2026
Wikipedia · Tony Rayns

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