The Chennai Rainbow Film Festival (CRFF) 2025 concluded with a resounding success, illuminating the rich tapestry of LGBTQIA+ narratives and fostering discussions on crucial social issues.
This year, CRFF was proud to collaborate with esteemed partners, including the Alliance Française de Madras, the Thai Embassy, and numerous other organizations dedicated to promoting the arts and inclusivity.
Inaugurated by Honourable MLA Mano Thangaraj and Filmmaker and TV personality Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, the three-day festival showcased 55 films from 25 countries, transforming the Alliance Française de Madras into a vibrant hub of creativity and dialogue.
This year’s event celebrated remarkable individuals and their contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community during the prestigious Rainbow Ambassador Award ceremony, presided over by S. Ve. Shekhar and Narthaki Nataraj.
Recipients included Actress Shakila, YouTuber Madan, Filmmaker Nandhini JS, Journalists Neelakandan and Cauveri Manikkam, Actress Rekha Nair, and SC Advocate Prabhakaran.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was proudly presented to Transgender Activist Kiruba, in recognition of her tireless advocacy for transgender rights. Highlighting the festival’s commitment to cinematic excellence, the jury awarded **Neela Nira Sooriyan** the Best Feature-Length Film, while **Sivashakthi** garnered the Best Short Film accolade. **Oh butterfly** was honored with the Audience Choice Award, and the British short film **Dawn** was recognized as the Best International Queer Film. Additionally, **Society Barks** from Kerala received the Best Queer Documentary award.
The festival was graced by numerous celebrities from various industries, including Actor Santhosh Prathap, Actress Devi Krishna, Musician Srikanth Deva, Dr. Krishna Mohan, Poet Manushyaputhiran, Producer Mala Manyan, and Fashion Choreographer Karun Raman, all contributing to the celebratory atmosphere that permeated the event.
A key highlight of CRFF 2025 was a thought-provoking panel discussion focusing on “Post Section 377 and Media Narratives on LGBTQIA+.” The conversation provided a much-needed platform to explore the evolving landscape of LGBTQIA+ representation in media and society.
The festival concluded with dazzling performances, including two stage plays by Marakkah and Negha & Co., as well as an enchanting music show featuring Naveen and Tamil folklore dance, leaving audiences spellbound.
Each day of the festival saw an entirely packed auditorium, showcasing the community’s enthusiasm and support for queer cinema. Sasha, the Event Director, commented on the festival’s success: “CRFF 2025 has been a remarkable endeavor in bringing together artists and audiences.
Our vision is to provide a platform for independent filmmakers while allowing viewers to engage with and comprehend the diverse experiences of queer individuals in Chennai.”
The Chennai Rainbow Film Festival 2025 not only celebrated film but also shone a light on the stories of queer lives, reinforcing the importance of inclusion, acceptance, and representation.
We look forward to the next edition, continuing this vital dialogue and celebrating artistry in all its forms.
For media inquiries, please contact: Sasha at 8946023692 or Vikranth at 9080948716 or chennairainbowfilmfest@gmail.com
Our website: www.chennairainbowfilmfestival.com
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