Due to circumstances beyond our control, the October 2021 Festival was the last event we were able to host.

We hope to resume at a future date.

The 2021 Film Festival was at the Old Market Hall – October 15- 17th and at Kinokulture – October 22-24th

We were delighted that the Festival was a great success, with good audience figures and the usual lovely atmosphere

It had been, to say the least, an interesting time since our last Festival!! But we came back after Covid etc – and not just to the Old Market Hall in Shrewsbury, but also to another favourite venue- Kinokulture in Oswestry.

Of the 7 films at the OMH, 2 were documentaries and 3 of the others were foreign language films (French, Brazilian and Georgian) with English subtitles. At Kinokulture, we had 3 feature films and 3 shorts. It was not easy to choose the short films: there are a lot of talented film makers out there! 1 was in a foreign language (Spanish) with English subtitles – a trans story/reflection. We will load the film details on to our archive at the foot of this Page as soon as time allows.

There was a good mix of films to choose from…plus, we were delighted that, after the screening of ‘Ahead of the Curve’ (at the OMH at 1.30pm on Oct.16th), there was a post-film discussion/Q&A with Helen Sandler (former Associate Editor of Diva Magazine).

When we are up and running again, we will welcome volunteers to help with all aspects of the Festival; but do contact us anyway if you want to know more – get in touch. We very much appreciated the enthusiasm of our sponsors and donors, that make it all possible

The Festival in 2021 was also supported by Film Hub Midlands through funds from the National Lottery. Film Hub Midlands support people to watch, show, and make films in the Midlands.

As you probably know the film festival is completely organised by volunteers and we are funded by grants, individual donations and sponsorship.
In line with our mission, the films we screen at the Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival aim to entertain, educate, challenge and change.

Crossing our fingers and toes, we look forward to being able to see you at future events.
Click here for some hotel suggestions

No upcoming events, please check back soon

No upcoming events, please check back soon

Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival is a charity with registration number 1168000.  It’s Trustees guide the Festival’s general direction in consultation with our supporters, sponsors and volunteers.

The Trustees

Sue Gorbing

Sue Gorbing

(cis) lesbian – pronouns: she/her

Sue Gorbing has lived in Shropshire for 16 years. She was a programmer for the Rainbow Film Festival 2007 – 2010, a founder of the L Fest Cinema which she programmed 2011-2013 and one of the organisers of Shrewsbury LGBT+ History. She is a Director of SAND (Safe Ageing No Discrimination), a Shropshire-based Community Interest Company that aims to increase the expectation and improve the experience of LGBT+ people accessing health and social care as they age.


Geoff Hardy

(cis) gay male – pronouns he/him – title none

Geoff has campaigned for LGBTQ rights since Gay Liberation Front days, in 1971. He is actively involved locally, with SAND (Safe Ageing No Discrimination) and Shrewsbury LGBT History.

Geoff has been involved with Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival since it began, in 2006.


Peter Roscoe

(cis) gay male – pronouns he/him – title none

The extraordinary film: ‘Victim’, 1961, (UK), about the then prevalent blackmail of gay men, starring Dirk Bogarde (in the role of a high flying barrister) and Sylvia Syms (in the role of his wife) made a huge impression on him.

He has been involved with the Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival for many years. Otherwise he researches and makes presentations about local LGBTQ+  history.


Volunteers

We really appreciate the support of the volunteers who work with us and help with choosing films, fund raising, promotion and running our events. If you are interested in doing this please contact us.

Grants, Donations & Sponsorship

We are very proud of our supporters. One of the things the festival tries to do is to involve local businesses, charities, trade unions and individuals, providing them with an opportunity to publicly declare their support for LGBTQ+ communities, working with the film festival which is completely organised by unpaid volunteers.

All the income from ticket sales is kept by the venues we use: the Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury and Kinokulture, Oswestry, on the basis that we do not pay to use the premises or for their staff costs. At other venues we simply pay their hire charge. We finance the film licences, all promotional materials/events, advertising and other costs e.g. expenses associated with Q and A sessions with film makers, from sponsorships, individual donations and grants.

For the 2021 Festival we are very pleased to have received a grant from Film Hub Midlands

How To Sponsor

If you would like to support the Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival please get in touch via our sponsor application form.

In line with our mission, the films we screen at the Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival aim to entertain, educate, challenge and change. We also support and publicise local LGBT events and campaigns.

The Golden Cross Hotel, Shrewsbury – Website

Premier Inn, Shrewsbury – Website

Premier Inn, Oswestry – Website

Sebastians, Oswestry – Website

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