47 FILMS TO COMPETE FOR TOP AWARDS AT KASHISH 2018, CASH PRIZES OF RS 2.65 LAKHS TO BE GIVEN TO WINNERS

What our Award Partners say

“Actor Prepares is happy to collaborate with KASHISH for the fifth consecutive year. Good cinema is Art, it is entertainment, it is also a medium for social change. It is important that independent filmmakers who work with limited budgets and little resources with the sole focus to make good cinema be encouraged”
– International Actor and Chairman of Actor Prepares, Anupam Kher.

“Need of the hour is that we build bridges and break the barriers that divide us. As we extend our partnership with Kashish for QDrishti grant in its 3rd year, we are convinced of its potential to provide a safe space for the aspiring film makers who bring stories of sexual minorities to life by weaving a rich fabric of diversity and inclusion bridging the communities together in pride.”
– Lotus Visual, sponsor of QDrishti Film Grant offering Rs.1,00,000 to a filmmaker to make a LGBTQ film.

“Discrimination is a human man-made phenomenon and it is against the very principle of nature which celebrates diversity. Unfortunately society does not and every voice that calls for freedom and inclusivity is important. KASHISH is one such voice standing for freedom and acceptance for a group of people all over the world who have been marginalised simply because of their sexual orientation. The K.F. Patil Charitable Trust which stands for Unity in Diversity is proud to associate with KASHISH which through the medium of a film festival informs, educates and shares with people the agonies and ecstasies of these people. The documentary awards instituted by the Trust are a token of our appreciation for KASHISH and for the filmmakers to carry the message forward to thousands of people”
– National award winning filmmaker Arunaraje Patil, who is the Chairperson of Shri K.F. Patil Charitable Trust.

“It is an immense pleasure for us to continue our alliance with KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival. This one a kind Film Festival not only aids aspiring filmmakers to demonstrate their creativity but also enables them to take a step towards spreading knowledge about the LGBT community. Understanding the perspective of the individuals belonging to LGBT community and creating a cinematic experience, opens room for both : acceptance and creativity within the society. Also we truly believe that platforms like these are the need of the hour, since it gives the aspiring filmmakers a chance to be unconventional and raw. At WWI, one of our primary objectives is to help the talented youth to emote their experiences through cinema. Therefore, like the previous year, we at Whistling Woods International have made an effort to fulfill our objective by sponsoring the Best Student Film Award. Each year , through our partnership with KASHISH, we look forward to discovering new talents who are self-driven and passionate about filmmaking. With this, we convey our best wishes to the students and hope they are successful in bringing about positivity and awareness in the society.”
– Meghna Ghai Puri, President, Whistling Woods International

“Wadia Movietone has long been proud to be associated with KASHISH. This fabulous festival epitomizes the fearless spirit embodied by my late brother Riyad, the legendary activist and filmmaker, our grandfather JBH Wadia, a pioneering visionary of Indian cinema, and not least our great-aunt Mary Evans aka Fearless Nadia, whose Hunterwali persona – created by Wadia Movietone – blazed a trail for the rights of the most vulnerable and stigmatized!”
– Roy Wadia, principal director of Wadia Movietone

AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES AT KASHISH 2018

BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
The highest award at KASHISH is given to the best narrative feature. This category includes Indian and International narrative features completed after January 1, 2017 and having their Mumbai Premiere at KASHISH 2017. It carries a trophy, a gift hamper and cash award of Rs 30,000 sponsored by Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares.

BEST INDIAN NARRATIVE SHORT
Indian narrative short films completed after January 1, 2017 and having their Mumbai Premiere at KASHISH compete for this award. It carries a cash award of Rs 20,000 sponsored by Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares. Winners are awarded a trophy, a gift hamper and a free 2 day HD shooting kit (camera, mike and one light) sponsored by Accord Equips.

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A LEAD ROLE
Best performance by an actor – male, female or Trans* – portraying an LGBTQ character in any of the features or shorts that are part of the competitive categories. It carries a trophy, a gift hamper and cash award of Rs 20,000 sponsored by Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares.

K.F. PATIL UNITY IN DIVERSITY AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
The best documentary feature award category includes Indian and International documentaries completed after January 1, 2017 and having their Mumbai Premiere at KASHISH. It carries a trophy and a gift hamper and a cash prize of Rs 15,000 sponsored by the K.F. Patil Charitable Trust.

K.F. PATIL UNITY IN DIVERSITY AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
The best documentary short award category includes Indian and International documentary short films which are under 50 minutes, completed after January 1, 2017 and having their Mumbai Premiere at KASHISH. It carries a cash prize of Rs 10,000 sponsored by the K.F. Patil Charitable Trust. Winners are also awarded a trophy, a gift hamper and a free 2 day HD shooting kit (camera, mike and one light) sponsored by Accord Equips.

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT
International narrative short films completed after January 1, 2017 and having their Mumbai Premier at KASHISH compete for this award. It carries a trophy, a gift hamper and cash award of Rs 15,000 sponsored by KASHISH Arts Foundation.

QDRISHTI FILM GRANT
Launched in KASHISH 2016, it is an artist grant to support an independent filmmakers based in India to make their next LGBTQ‐themed film. Filmmakers of Indian narrative or documentary short films completed after January 1, 2017 and have an aesthetic vision are eligible for nomination. The winner will be chosen by jury panel who will consider not only merit of the film, but also the vision of the filmmaker. Sponsored by Lotus Visual it carries Rs.1,00,000 grant and mentorship by KASHISH Advisory Board members.

RIYAD WADIA AWARD FOR BEST EMERGING INDIAN FILMMAKER
Instituted in memory of late filmmaker Riyad Wadia, who made India’s first gay film BOMgAY. Indian narrative and documentary short films that are the filmmaker’s first or second film completed after January 1, 2017 compete for this award that carries cash award of Rs.15,000 sponsored by Wadia Movietone, a trophy, a gift hamper, and a free 2 day HD shooting kit (camera, mike and one light) sponsored by Accord Equips.

BEST STUDENT SHORT
Short films made by students of film and media schools that are completed after January 1, 2017 and having their Mumbai Premiere at KASHISH compete for this award. The award carries a cash prize of Rs.15,000 sponsored by Whistling Woods International. Winners are also awarded a trophy, a gift hamper. and a free 2 day HD shooting kit (camera, mike and one light) sponsored by Accord Equips.