AWARDS
Best Narrative Feature – I Am
(2011, 110 min, India, Onir)
Jury’s Citation:
For the film’s truly kaleidscopic vision of the human condition. The film narrates four diverse stories, which deal with a spectrum of topics including same-gender relationships. The quartet is a marvelous portrait of contemporary social concerns, in sum their impact being bold as well as beautiful.
Acceptance note by Director, Onir:
“I AM has traveled to many festivals and won awards but this award from Kashish will remain the most precious award I have ever received as this is my first award in my city Mumbai. Wish Kashish a bigger brighter progressive years.”
Best Documentary Feature – We Were Here
(2011, 90 min, USA, David Weissman)
Jury’s Citation:
For the film’s in-depth realization – through personalized interviews and incisive reportage– of a heart wrenching chapter of history – that is.. the advent of AIDS in San Francisco of the 1970s-80s.
“I’m so honored to receive this award from your festival – I”m so happy it was able to screen in Mumbai.”Acceptance note by Director, David Weissman.
Best International Narrative Short – Let The World Know About Me
(2010, 14 min, Argentina, Mariana Giordano)
Jury’s Citation:
For the film’s inventive blend of the musical idiom with a purposeful point to make, vis-à-vis the stepping out by a girl… from the by-now claustrophobic closet.
“First of all, I would like to thank Kashish festival for the great opportunity of showing our short film. Wining this award makes us very happy and motivates us to keep going on producing and making films that makes a stand on what we believe. But the thing we really appreciate is the fact that you enjoyed our film -I hope at least as half as we enjoyed making it. That”s our biggest prize. Thank you very much for everything.”Acceptance note by Director, Mariana Giordano.
Best Indian Narrative Short – Amen
(2010, 24 min, India, Ranadeep Bhattacharyya & Judhajit Bagchi)
Jury’s Citation:
For the sensitive depiction of the little discussed aspect of same gender dating through websites; the film’s assertive conclusion, credible performances, and technical assurance.
Ranadeep & Judajit
Acceptance note by Directors, Ranadeep & Judhajit :
“Making short films in India is in itself a difficult task and even more painstaking is to screen them. We are extremely grateful to Kashish for giving us such a big platform to showcase our film Amen to such a varied audience. After four days of continuously watching great films from across the globe, ”Amen” winning the Best Indian Narrative Short Award from the distinguished Jury comprising of stalwarts from the film fraternity was one of the best moments of our life as it is also our very first award ever! It was such warmth and togetherness coupled with hard work for all at Kashish to make us all feel at home. Congratulations to the entire team and the volunteers for an experience that would be cherished life long.”
Best Documentary Short – Bullied
(2010, 40 min, USA, Bill Brummel & Geoffrey Sharp)
Jury’s Citation:
For the film’s stark and disturbing trials and tribulations of a gay student facing relentless torture and bullying from his peers.. to which his school authorities seem to turn a blind eye to. The young man’s eventual triumph makes the film inspiring and edifying.
Bill Brummel
Acceptance note by Producer/ Writer/ Co-Director, Bill Brummel:
“Thank you so much for this honor. I wish I could be there with you. We made Bullied for one reason – to draw attention to the crisis of anti LGBT bullying in schools. The message is simple. Every child, regardless of color, gender, sexual orientation or identification deserves a safe education. I”d like to thank Jamie Nabozny, the subject of Bullied, for his courage in fighting back against a system that too often turns a blind eye to anti-gay bullying, and the Southern Poverty Law Center for funding the film and distributing it free of charge to more than 50,000 schools in the U.S. Thanks again. I truly appreciate it.”
The Special Jury Award – I Am
(2011, 71 min, India, Sonali Gulati)
Jury’s Citation:
The jury unanimously singled out Sonali Gulati’s ‘I AM’. The jury whole-heartedly thumbed up the film’s bold and frank accounts of young gay men and women dealing with family prejudices as well as stoic understanding.
Sonali Gulati
Acceptance note by Director, Sonali Gulati
“I would like to thank the Kashish Mumbai Intl. Queer Film Festival for showing this film in Bombay and to the jury for this award. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who agreed to be in this film, without whom I could not have made this film. I am indebted to their generosity and for allowing me into their lives and be able to share this with all of you. Lastly I would like to thank all the people who helped me make this film, especially my editor Anupama Chandra who really shaped the film.”
KASHISH Coffee Break Audience Award – Nothing Happened
(2009, 10 min, USA, Julia Kots)
Citation:
For receiving the highest score of 9.87 with 403 views and 93 votes at Kashish Coffee On-line Competition, from May 1 to May 20, with our Online partners indieflix.com.
Julia Kots
Acceptance note by The ladies of NOTHING HAPPENED – Director Julia Kots, Producer/Writer Jessica Provenz, Producer/Actress Sarah Louise Lilley, Producer/Actress Jessica Henson:
“Unfortunately we can”t be there in person but are thrilled to accept the KASHISH Coffee Break Online Audience Award. A big thank you to everyone at the festival for all your support.”
Riyad Vinci Wadia Award for an emerging Indian filmmaker – Kusum-The Flower Bud
(2010, 10.31 min, India, Shumona Banerjee)
Jury’s Citation:
For the whimsical, witty and yet so wise ‘Kusum – The Flower Bud’, about a spunky transvestite’s bond with an eccentric professor.
Acceptance note by Director, Shumona Banerjee:
“Winning this award is such an honour , an immense encouragement and a much needed reassurance. It is extremely heartening to know that someone else thinks I”m talented apart from me!
Thank you Kashish, the jury and the Wadia family for choosing me. I do hope to prove worthy of it in time to come and emerge as a filmmaker to look forward to.”
