“Fabulous venue & beautiful location. Very friendly cinema staff. Very informative & interesting group in the audience. Excellent Q &A. Will definitely attend in the future and actually stay over and view more films” (Jan Walker: Jan’s Coming Out)

"Whatever your opinion on LGBT groups it is worth seeing at least one film to show you so much more"

The dates for 2012 Rainbow Film Festival have been confirmed as Friday 12th to Sunday 14th October.

We haven't been idle, the organisers have watched countless films, old and new to select the very best for this year's festival. The deadline for film submissions is the 31st May (for both shorts and full length).

We need your help!! We are looking for sponsors for the 2012 festival! We are very proud of our supporters. One of the things the festival tries to do is to involve local businesses, charities and individuals, providing them with an opportunity to publicly declare their support for LGBT communities. We finance the entire festival; film licences, all promotional materials/events, advertising and other costs e.g. expenses associated with Q and A sessions with film makers, from sponsorships. Please follow the link to find out how you can support us.

Coming up in 2012

COUNTDOWN WIDGET

Monday 14th May, 19:30 at the Shrewsbury Coffee House - Equality in Marriage meeting.

Equality in Marriage - separate is not equal. The Government is introducing a bill to equalise access to marriage. This is not just about marriage, it is a big step forward in the struggle for equal rights in society. We met with Daniel Kawczinski (Conservative MP, Shrewsbury and Atcham) on April 10th. Daniel is supportive of the bill. BUT, there is a lot of opposition from the Coalition for Marriage, so we need to be organised and vocal! At that meeting we decided to form a Group to take this forward. The inaugural meeting, open to all, will be at: Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury (near the Railway Station) on Monday 14th May, 7.30pm. Please come if you can. If you are unable to attend, but would like to involved/kept up to date, email via info@rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk . Daniel urged us to get everyone to write a letter to their MP - asking them to Vote for equality in marriage. The opposition is writing! We need to make sure that our voice is heard! Sign the petition here.

Thursday 17th May, 19:30 at the Golden Cross Hotel - IDAHO Day Social Meal
On 17th May 1990 the World Health Organisation finally removed homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. This event is now celebrated annually by the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). To mark this event in Shropshire, Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival are organising a social gathering in Shrewsbury on Thursday 17th May. The plan is to have a meal at the Golden Cross Hotel followed by drinks at the Source Bar (Thursday is coincidentally their LGBT night), where the LFest crew with singers Faye Bagley & Lucy Spraggonare are promoting this year's Lesbian Music & Art's Festival. We should all remember that in 2010, 76 Countries still prosecute people on ground of their sexual orientation. If you would like to come along to the meal please book a place by emailing info@rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk. If Source Bar is more your scene, we will be heading their around 21:00.

Saturday & Sunday 2nd & 3rd June - Birmingham Pride www.birminghampride.com

Saturday 9th June from 12pm - Pink Picnic in the Park - Sanders Park, Bromsgrove, B61 7JP

Saturday 16th June from 12pm - Pink Picnic in the Park - Arrow Valley Park, Redditch B98 0LJ

Saturday 23rd June from 12pm -Pink Picnic in the Park - Gheluvelt Park, Worcestershire

Saturday 7th July - Cultural Diversity Day (organised by Shrewsbury Action Against Racism, The Square, Shrewsbury, 11.30 am to 4.30 pm, where we’ll have a stall

Friday to Monday 13th to 16th July LFest , now in its second year at the Agricultural Showground, off Berwick Road, Shrewsbury. Live acts, cinema (Blog by the LFest Cinema Organisers) and much more www.lfest.co.uk.

Saturday 21st July Picnic in the Park, Quarry Park, Shrewsbury. Look out for the Rainbow Flags this year!! Facebook Event- Twitter: @shrewspinkpic

Border Women, regular meetings for lesbian and bi women www.borderwomen.co.uk