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In the summer of 2006, the Shropshire LGBT Group was thinking about organising an event focusing on education and schools. .... coincidentally, the Shrewsbury Summer Season team was looking for LGB input at around the same time! Looking ahead to the forthcoming Equality Act, the two got together to show the films ‘Wilde’ and ‘Get Real’, illustrating 100 years of change in attitudes towards, and experiences of, gay communities. The films were followed by a workshop for schoolteachers and youth workers - and the format was a sellout. Such was the success that the Old Market Hall was brought into the discussions and, aware that the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival was about to celebrate its 21st birthday, the idea for Shropshire’s first Rainbow Film Festival came to fruition, with support from Midland Zone.
Since then, the festival has gathered in strength and increased its base of supporters and its profile in the County. Not just a ‘once a year’ festival, the RFF supports film events throughout the year. The Rainbow Film Festival also links into other local initiatives aiming to highlight LGBT issues in Shropshire - and beyond.
Past Festivals & Events
February 2011 - Interim Event (LGBT History Month)
For LGBT History Month, RFF teamed up with Shrewsbury Archive to show "Queens Evidence". A dramatised series of interviews about older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people’s experiences of the police service This isn’t just a look back at the ‘bad old days’. Whilst bringing home just how far we’ve come, it serves primarily to help understand why it takes more thana change in the law to convince a community that has experienced a lifetime of discrimination that the police are now there to protect, not persecute, them.
The Fifth Rainbow Film Festival (26th November - 2nd December 2010)
Despite freezing weather conditions,
past years records were well and truly broken at the 2010. Rainbow Film
Festival, held at The Old Market Hall Cinema in Shrewsbury, with 75% of
seats sold - a 15% increase on last year's total. Feedback was enthusiastic,
praising the selection of films screened and most film showings were enthusiastically
applauded by the audience. The Saturday night double bill of 'For my wife'/'Edie
and Thea' was so well attended that only one seat was unsold - for the
second year running! 'We are really pleased with the turnout and the feedback
we received from the Free Prize Draw/Questionnaires. Planning is already
underway for the 2011 season. We are well and truly an established part
of the Shropshire events calendar,' said the organisers.
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The
Fourth Rainbow Film Festival (27th November - 3rd December 2009)
Increasing on previous successes, we filled more seats, got more positive
feedback and generally had a good time!
Itty Bitty Titty Committee (a sell out for the first lesbian film to
screen on the Saturday night of the festival!)
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June 2009 Interim Event
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.
February 2009 - 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’
2009 - Website Launch
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.
The Third Rainbow Film Festival (28th November - 4th December 2008)
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)
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June 2008- Interim Event
he 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!
The Second Rainbow Film Festival (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.
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"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
The First Rainbow Film Festival (1st - 7th December 2006)
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