INDIAN CORPORATE HOUSES SUPPORT KASHISH 2017
Leading India-based corporate houses and organizations have come out in support of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival. The eighth edition of of South Asia’s biggest LGBTQ film festival will be held between May 24-28, 2017 at two venues in South Mumbai – the city’s iconic art deco theatre Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise. The five-day festival will this year screen 147 films from 45 countries.
Sridhar Rangayan, festival director of KASHISH said, “Gone are the days of the LGBT community being in the closet. KASHISH, with its mission of mainstreaming LGBTQ visibility, took the first step in 2010 by holding an LGBTQ film festival in a mainstream theater. We have come a long way since then, and we are delighted that more and more mainstream and diverse companies are coming to join hands with us, in our movement for equality and dignity. The organizations and corporate houses’ support underline their faith in our mission to change attitudes through advocacy and entertainment. Their brand support also adds interactive youthful energy to the festival.”
One of India’s biggest conglomerates Godrej Industries will be Principal Partner of the festival. This is the third year that Godrej Industries is supporting to organise KASHISH – and was infact the first Indian-owned corporate house support the festival for its 2014 edition.
“We are so very proud to partner the 8th KASHISH festival. Movies are one of the best mediums to tell stories, touch hearts and open our minds. We at Godrej believe that we are all equal and building a diverse and inclusive workforce is of utmost importance to us. We love and support the LGBTQ community not just because it is the right thing to do. Great talent is the key to our success and our individual capabilities are only determined by our attitude and hard work not by our gender, caste or sexuality,” said Nisaba Godrej, Executive Chairperson, GodrejConsumer Products Ltd.
Skybags the youth bags brand from the house of V.I.P. Industries, has come on board for the first time and will also be a Principal Partner of the film festival. “We are happy to associate with KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival; it’s a great initiative that spreads much needed awareness about the LGBT community. Films are a powerful medium to influence and bring about a positive change in the society. We are happy to lend our support to this initiative as it not just a festival but it’s a place to learn and become more aware. As an out lesbian, I am proud to be part of the LGBT community in India and support greater visibility of our community through this important film festival,” said Radhika Piramal, Vice Chairperson – V.I.P Industries Ltd.
The festival has three supporting partners – IBM, Whistling Woods International and the Consul General of Canada.
“At IBM, we don’t just speak about inclusion, we demonstrate it ! Our association with Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival every year showcases and demonstrates our shared values towards diversity and inclusion. IBM strives to attract, retain and nurture the very best and brightest talent as we believe that innovation comes from seeking out and inspiring diversity across all dimensions” said Ajay Dua, Regional Counsel, IBM India / South Asia & Executive Sponsor.
“Whistling Woods International is proud to continue its association with KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, a wonderful initiative that encourages aspiring filmmakers to come forward and spread awareness about the LGBT community, sensitively and artistically. Love is universal and it is fantastic to have a festival that celebrates love from the point of view of the individuals belonging to the LGBT community. We need more platforms like this, which not only promotes cinema but also unearths some truly unique talents every year. This year, we have taken our association further by sponsoring the Best Student Film Award. It adds another layer to our objective of partnering with KASHISH, which is to encourage young students to express themselves through the power of cinema. Like every year, we look forward to a positive response, and would like to convey our best wishes to the students,” said Meghna Ghai Puri, President, Whistling Woods International
Canada Consul General has been a consistent supporter of the film festival. “Canada is delighted to be supporting the Kashish Film Festival for the fourth consecutive year. In 2017, marking the 150th anniversary of its creation as a new country, Canada is celebrating our shared values, our achievements, our majestic environment and our country’s place in the world. One of the major themes of our celebrations is diversity and inclusion, including the important steps Canada has taken to recognize the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. For this year’s festival, we are pleased to welcome Ms. Mona Belleau, a Canadian Inuk activist, known for her years of work in various aboriginal organizations, as well as the LGBT Family Coalition. We are also pleased that the festival line-up includes five Canadian films. We hope that the strong Canadian presence and support will help everyone to enjoy the 2017 Kashish Film Festival,” said Jordan Reeves, Consul General of Canada .
KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival
Founded in 2010, KASHISH MIQFF is held over 5 days at two venues. The festival this year will be held at Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise in South Mumbai. It is the first Indian LGBT festival to be held with approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India. Voted as one of the Top 5 LGBT Film Festival in the world, KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is South Asia’s biggest queer film festival and the only LGBT film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theater. The film festival this year will be held between May 24-May 28, 2017, at two venues in South Mumbai – the city’s iconic art deco theatre Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise. Delegate Registrations are open on Book My Show https://in.bookmyshow.com
THEME of KASHISH 2017 : ‘Diverse, One’
The theme of KASHISH 2017 explores the diversity of the LGBTQ communities. The diverse shades of the rainbow remind us that as people we are all different and we are all unique. In the fight for an equal society, basic human rights and against laws that criminalize and discriminate, it is our shared values that bring us together. We are strongest when we come together, when we embrace one another’s uniqueness and celebrate our differences. We are Diverse, We are One.
