SHROPSHIRE RAINBOW FILM FESTIVAL CHARITY REG NO: 1168000
ANNUAL REPORT 2024/2025
At the start of our year we were very saddened by the death on 9[th] May of one of our founding Trustees, Geoff Hardy, who had contributed hugely to the Festival since its start in 2006
We did not organise a film festival. However, we did continue to support and encourage other events within our objectives
Over the year:
We again contributed to the Shrewsbury Pride programme, the town’s second Pride Parade taking place on September 28[th] . The organisers’ Tribute to Geoff was very poignant.
In memory of Geoff and recognising his contribution to the development of LGBT+ film and cinema in Shropshire, the Trustees were very happy to allow our brand to be used in the promotion of a ‘Rainbow Film Festival’ at the Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, from 18[th] October to 20[th] October. They screened:
‘Knock Out Blonde’ - the Kellie Maloney Story’ with a Q & A with Kellie Maloney
‘Chuck Chuck Baby’ and ‘Studio One Forever’
Recognising that we were no longer able to screen a Festival of films, the last one being in 2021, in November the Trustees took the decision to move to wind up the Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival.
Although this marked the end of an era, the Trustees were happy that, since 2006, the work of the Rainbow Film Festival/Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival had not only contributed to the well being of LGBT+ people in particular but had been recognised as being of huge benefit to the communities of Shropshire and further afield.
Steps were taken to ensure that our supporters and donors were aware of this decision and we carefully explored how to best apply and use our remaining funds for purposes the same as or similar to our charitable purposes.
Toward the end of the year we identified a suitable project through working with local organisation ‘Safe Ageing No Discrimination’ (SAND) and took the decision to procure 5 short videos illustrating the lives and experience of six local older and old LGBT+ people.
The videos were to be promoted and distributed from Spring 2025
Our Mission
We continued our mission; to
‘ ENTERTAIN, EDUCATE, CHALLENGE & CHANGE’
Status of the Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival
We formed as a voluntary group, working with the former Shropshire County Council’s education services, in 2006, in response to a wish to begin to address the damaging legacy of s28 of the Local Government Act 1988 (prohibiting the promotion of homosexuality in state schools) which had only just been repealed (2004). Film emerged as one valuable way by which to engage with school students and staff to address issues of self esteem, homophobic and transphobic bullying.
Year by year the Festival grew in popularity; its remit broadened and our expenditure increased and we needed a more formal structure. Hence, since 4[th] July 2016 we have been a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, whose only voting members are our charity Trustees.
Governance & Management
Contact: Peter Roscoe c/o 1 the Dana, Shrewsbury, SY1 2HP info@rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk
Over the year 2024/25, the Trustees continued to manage the charity and determine its direction; many thanks to them:
The Trustees 2024 - 2025
Sue Gorbing
Peter Roscoe
Day to day management, and work arising, was undertaken during the year by the Trustees; meeting formally as required, but usually informally.
Objectives
The principal objective of Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival is: ‘ ... to present a film festival aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender people, to increase awareness and to portray the lives of LGBT people in the UK and worldwide ’ . It does this by:
a) putting on film festivals; until recent years, on an annul basis (initially over a week in December, then becoming a weekend event in October) in Shrewsbury (Shropshire’s county town), though, in 2021, we also screened the Festival in Oswestry. We also contribute to other film events during the year.
b) running a website, engaging via our social media accounts e.g. FB, Twitter, Instagram and we maintained contact with supporters via our Mailchimp account
c) outreach – through participating in cultural events e.g. Shrewsbury Pride
d) working with and supporting other organisations – e.g. Safe Ageing No Discrimination (SAND)
We are: ‘ an anti-discriminatory organisation, committed to screening films and working in ways that demonstrate fairness for all ’.
Achievements
Successfully working toward the winding up of the charity and recognising its very successful work from 2006 to date
Financial Review
A ‘Receipts & Payments Account’ for the year has been completed; our finances continue to be on a sound footing.
The Future
We are aiming to wind up the charity and close its website and social media etc outlets before April 1[st] 2026
Approved at the Trustees’ Meeting on: 2025
Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival
Receipts and Payment Account Period ended 31[st] March 2025 Receipts Donations & Fundraising 25.00 (A) Sponsorship 00.00 Tickets and other sales 00.00 Grants 00.00 Other 00.00 Interest 00.00 Total £25.00 Payments Film Licenses/Permissions 00.00 Speaker fees and expenses 00.00 Promotion 00.00 Expenses/Administration 214.39 (B) Festival Costs 00.00 Venue Hire 00.00 Other 720.00 (C) Total £934.39 Deficit for the year £909.39 Opening balances: PayPal 205.73 Co-op 2741.51 £2947.24 Closing balances: PayPal 205.73 Co-op 1832.12 £2037.85
NOTES Receipts (A) – Telford Unison £25 Payments (B) – Wylie Media Website Support, £200 Domain reg £14.39
(C) – first payment for Video HQ re 5 commissioned videos
These Accounts have been prepared from the accounts and records of the Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival by Peter Roscoe – Trustee. Date: 01.10.2025