Donate for Chennai Rainbow Film Festival 2025 | Milaap
Donate for Chennai Rainbow Film Festival 2025
31%
Raised
Rs.27,525
of Rs.90,000
22 supporters
  • CD

    Created by

    Chennai Dost
  • LC

    This fundraiser will benefit

    LGBTQIA Community

    from Chennai, Tamil Nadu

What is Chennai Rainbow Film Festival (CRFF)?
Chennai Rainbow Film Festival (CRFF) is one of the premier film festivals in the country being organised by Chennai Dost. 

Chennai Dost is a Community based organization working for LGBTQIA+ rights in South India. CRFF aims to provide a platform for showcasing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuals, Transgenders, Queers, Intersex, Asexual and all alternate sexualities and gender identities (LGBTQIA++) themed arts and films. It encourages national and international, established and emerging artists to come up with LGBTQIA++ based themed films and arts. Through CRFF, we aim to sensitize general public, film and media industry to understand LGBTQIA++ issues and make sure LGBTQIA++ voices are heard.

Do you have any previous experience in organizing any Film Festival?
Yes, we have successfully organized the past two editions of Chennai Rainbow Film Festival.
In 2012 (15th -17th June), Chennai Dost along with Orinam & Goethe-Institute/Max Mueller Bhavan conducted a three-day event “Chennai Queer Film Festival” with the theme "Colors of Sexuality". This edition featured over 30 Indian & International films, shorts, a panel-discussion and a photo exhibition showcasing celebrating-diversity on diverse Love Lives (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer communities in Chennai).
In 2013 (7th - 9th June), Chennai Dost in partnership with Alliance Francaise de Madras organised 3 day Chennai Rainbow Film Festival with the theme "Pride sans prejudice" which garnered large public and media participation and appreciation. The festival screened more than 40 Indian & International films, shorts, documentaries along with a panel discussion, award ceremony and a photo exhibition showcasing the diversity within the LGBTQIA++ community. The award ceremony was presided over by legendary film maker Dr. Balu Mahendra, leading politician and actor Sarath Kumar and so many notable film & media personalities participated in it.
In 2015 (26 - 28th June), Chennai Dost conducted its 3rd year film festival at Madras School of Social Works for 3 days with the theme "Expressions". The festival featured 37 Indian and International films, shorts, a panel discussion and a photo exhibition. Many from film and media fraternities participated in it and this includes Legendary actor and director Mr.Bhackyaraj, director Mr.Vasanth, India's well known LGBT activist Ashow Raw Kavi, Actress Kaveri etc. Tamil's first feature length gay film "Maghizvan" had its premiere screening here and it won the audience best film award. SWAM Sekar and Ms.Priya babu received life time achievement award for their contribution towards LGBT rights and welfare. The event had more than 1000 people as audience.
In 2017, The 4th edition of Chennai Rainbow Film Festival 2016 was held from 7th – 11th December, 2016. The theme for the year was ‘Hues of love” as we wanted to showcase love in various forms and portray the alternate sexual and gender identities. That year’s film festival hosted the largest number of National/ International LGBTQIA++ films, Music shows, Stageplay, 2 talk shows, fashion show and Cultural Performances. The opening and closing night was graced by celebrities from Tamil Film Industry, followed by the CRFF after-party.

The Chennai Rainbow Film Festival 2025 promises to be one of the most important and biggest LGBTQIA++ events of Chennai.

Why crowdfunding for CRFF?
Cinema is a medium to reach out to the masses quickly and effectively. Thus, we believe that by staging a film festival and providing a platform for filmmakers to bring out the invisible LGBTQIA++ issues to the general public we are helping achieve the following:
• Building a discrimination free society
• Advocating equal rights for everyone
• Breaking stereotypes
• Spreading awareness about LGBTQcommunity
• Connecting people across boundaries
By contributing, you become a part of this movement that helps strengthen the community and safeguard basic human values.

What are the risks and challenges associated with your project?
We do not perceive any risk as such as we have successfully conducted 2 editions of the film festival in the past. Also, we are working under the umbrella brand of Chennai Dost and have a dedicated 13 member team which has required skill-sets to deliver yet another successful film festival.

How are you going to utilize the funds raised here?
The money raised here will be spent on event management, prize distribution, promotions etc. Funds raised here cover only a fraction of what it takes to present a 4-day film festival, along with other events throughout the year. Chennai Dost commitment to affordability means we rely heavily on the generosity of donors and sponsors to make it all happen.
Gifts of any amount are appreciated and honored.
Donors who donated above INR 500 will receive a donor certificate from Chennai Rainbow Film Festival. All donors will receive a letter of appreciation from the festival director

What happens when I don't raise enough money?
We will have to cut corners and scale down a bit but still the Chennai Rainbow Film Festival 2025 will happen. Albeit, not at the level and scale it deserves to be.

How am I going to prove that I won't just take all the money and run away?
Chennai Rainbow Film Festival (CRFF) is organized under the umbrella brand “Chennai Dost”, a rcommunity based group working for LGBTQIA++ rights in South India from the past years. Chennai Dost is one of the leading organizations in India which is well known and respected in the LGBTQIA++ spectrum. We are here to stay! So rest assured, your money is definitely going in the right hands.
For inquiries visit www.chennairainbowfilmfestival.com or email us at chennairainbowfilmfest@gmail.com

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