The goal of the Rainbow Umbrella Film Festival is to empower anyone with a voice, an opinion, a vision, or a calling to freely write, act, direct, and express themselves through the medium of film. Everyone is welcome under The Rainbow Umbrelle—from first-time filmmakers with little or no budget to those with more experience and financial backing.
The Rainbow Umbrella Film Festival 2025
Over a period of three days, The Rainbow Umbrella Film Festival showcases films that capture the full spectrum of emotions experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
Thursday, January 16, 7 pm (Day 1)
QUEENS IN FINISTÈRE: Dir. Vanessa Le Reste (France, 63 mins)
Brittany Hart is the Queen of Brittany. Follow her along with her entourage, through the vibrant Breton nights and their daily lives. The film features drag shows, parties, friendship, and commitment, and dives into the heart of the Hart family and the drag queens living on the edge of the world in this small town in France, redefining ways to live together.
PUP PERFECT: Dir. by Henry Baker (USA, 17 mins)
Explore the world of gay and queer human pups. These human pups are a subculture evolving from the gay leather community. Through interviews with over a dozen pups, we discover that Pup Play embodies the spirit of a dog, both physically and mentally. This is more than just a sexual fetish, as it offers a way for people to escape everyday stresses and embrace a mindful existence.
SEAN DORSEY DANCE: Dreaming Trans and Queer Futures: Dir. Lindsay Gauthier (USA, 10 mins)
This Emmy Award-winning short visually blends dance and documentary, profiling trailblazing transgender choreographer and activist Sean Dorsey as he embarks on an ambitious new project: inviting transgender and queer communities to dream amidst the challenges to their lives and rights.
Friday, January 17, 7 pm (Day 2)
AND A LITTLE FOR ME: Dir. by Kathryn Roake (USA, 6 mins)
What begins as a typical summer beach day, filled with surfing, sun, and dinner, escalates into a theft and a riot. But the question is, why?
BEYOND THE VOID: Dir. Joss Berlioux (France, 3 mins)
Alexia and Léa are two broken soles. They find a final refuge in each other on a rooftop, where love and despair blend in a heart-wrenching farewell.
AVE MARIE: Dir. Celestina Louisa Marie Sumby (NZ, 13 mins)
Ave Marie follows adopted siblings Marie and Xavier, who use dance to escape their mother’s religious rants and dealing with neighborhood bullies.
I’M NOT OKAY: Dir. Joy Rieger (Israel, 12 mins)
Joy is a young actress who feels helpless and frightened after a breakup. When she decides to go to the gym, she unexpectedly runs into her ex and their new boyfriend, prompting her to confront the situation.
175: Dir. Kasra Karimi (UK, 22 mins)
Ruth and Juliet are waiting for the British Parliament to legalize same-sex marriage. However, Juliet suffers from a terminal illness and doesn’t have long to live. They are racing against time.
VOYEURESS: Dir. Jan Fabris (Slovenia, 24 mins)
What happens when a person you are secretly watching is also watching you?
Saturday, January 18, 7 pm (Day 3)
SHAPE NOTES: Dir. by Bryan McHenry (USA, 12 mins)
A middle-aged church organist seeks help caring for his old mother and finds the courage to explore his identity.
CHRISTMAS 1978: Dir. by Lara Fullalove (UK, 17 mins)
This short film delves into the complex relationship between a father and son while exploring the paradox of Catholicism and homosexuality.
WHERE ARE ALL THE GAY SUPERHEROES?: Dir. Tom Paul Martin (UK, 15 mins)
Sterling and Meridian are professional superheroes who have just finished saving the day. However, old tensions resurface in a rare moment alone, leading them to confront the darker truths of who they really are.
MAFIA: Dir. James Cleave (UK, 16 mins)
MAFIA is a comedy-drama that follows a wine-fueled family as they play a post-dinner round of Mafia. The game starts off playfully but soon spirals out of control as embarrassing secrets are revealed and uncomfortable truths come to light.
BERGAMOT: Dir. Hsu Chien (Brazil, 15 mins)
In southern Brazil, the fruit “bergamot” is known for its distinctive smell and aphrodisiac qualities. It triggers a night filled with seduction, sensual dancing, blood, and revenge in Rio de Janeiro.
MAKING UP: Dir. Ryan Paige (UK, 15 mins)
Set in the 1980s, Ted is a celebrated drag queen who must reconcile with his daughter, Cassandra, after being diagnosed with a hereditary illness. Their past grievances present significant obstacles to their reconciliation.
https://www.unrestrictedview.co.uk
Rainbow Umbrella Film Festival 2025, 16 – 18 January at Hen and Chickens Theatre, 109 St Paul’s Road, London N1 2NA, United Kingdom.
All images supplied.
