Rainbow Film Festival History
RFF is organised entirely by volunteers, who aim to bring you a feast of delights for one week a year, with occasional events in between
2009 - November - The Fourth Rainbow Film Festival took place from 27th November - 3rd December 2009. Films shown were: The Times of Harvey Milk; Itty Bitty Titty Committee (a sell out for the first lesbian film to screen on the Saturday night of the festival!), My Beautiful Laundrette, A Love to Hide, Pedro, I Can't Think Think Straight and Hard Pill. Increasing on previous successes, we filled more seats, got more positive feedback and generally had a good time!
2009 - June- Interim event, as part of Shrewsbury’s Summer Season and to mark the 40th anniversary of Stonewall and all that we have achieved, The Rainbow Film Festival presented the film Rainbow’s End - alongside an exhibition and stalls at The Gateway in Shrewsbury. The event was attended by about 50 people, including 3 local Councillors.
2009 - February - Interim event, for LGBT History Month, RFF teamed up with the Old Market Hall Cinema in Shrewsbury to show the film ‘Milk’ which ran for a week.
‘As organisers of the Rainbow Film Festival we were very pleased that the Old Market Hall Cinema was amongst the first in the country to screen ‘Milk’ – and that they marked LGBT History Month’
This year, the Rainbow Film Festival volunteers launched the website and took the decision to keep it going throughout the year to advertise LGBT events.
2008 - November - The Third Rainbow Film Festival took place from 28th November - 4th December 2008. Films shown were: Brokeback Mountain; West Side Story; But I'm a Cheerleader; XXY; Rainbow's End; Fire and The History Boys. Numbers were up on 2007 and it looks like the Festival is gradually making its mark in the Shropshire diary - we had more sponsors, more viewers and more fun! Let's keep it that way!
The festival was opened by the Mayor of Shrewsbury & Atcham, Councillor Mrs Anne Chebsey and drew messages of support from all of the major political parties. Films were attended by: Jon Tandy (Labour Party); Toby Green (Green Party); MP Daniel Kawczynski; Councillor Judith Williams (Conservative); Councillor Miles Kenny (Liberal Democrat).
2008 - June - Interim event, the RFF co-hosted a showing of 'Gateway to Heaven' with Age Concern Shropshire Telford and Wrekin. About 40 people came along to the Gateway in Shrewsbury centre to enjoy the film, share some information, eat some cake and enjoy each other's company!
2007 - November - The Second Rainbow Film Festival took place from 30th November - 6th December 2007, the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act and the 50th anniversary of the Wolfenden Report .. our history was one of the themes throughout the festival week. Films shown were: Prick Up Your Ears; Cabaret; The Hunger; Rag Tag; Bound; The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros; Nina's Heavenly Delights and The Picture of Dorian Gray (which - due to a Fed-Ex error was actually screened 10 days late)
"I'm delighted that the Rainbow Film Festival is now in its third year and doing so well. It is a great achievement and an excellent event to have here in Shrewsbury to highlight the importance of equal rights for the Lesbian and Gay community. Many congratulations to all concerned and best wishes for a great week for film buffs." Toby Green, Secretary, Mid and North Shropshire Green Party
"I really appreciate what you are doing and what better way to get the message over than through the media of cinema entertainment. The Rainbow Film Festival makes Shrewsbury a better place to be'" Cllr Miles Kenny
2006 - December - The First Rainbow Film Festival took place from 1st - 7th December 2006, showing: Rent, The Journey, Calamity Jane (Singalong!), Priest, Fried Green Tomatoes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Beautiful Thing