INDIA’S BIGGEST QUEER FILM FEST
KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, India”s Biggest Queer Film Festival, returns for its third year from May 23-27, 2012 at Cinemax Versova and Alliance Francaise de Bombay.
The film festival will be held at Cinemax Versova (Infinity Mall, Andheri West) from May 23-27, 2012 and Alliance Francaise (Marine Lines) from May 24-26, 2012.
Entry to the festival is FREE OF COST. But everyone who wishes to attend the film festival HAS to be a Registered Delegate. (Online registrations are now closed).
The Delegate Badges have to be picked up at the venue that you indicate in the form. However, the badge would be valid for both venues on all days of the festival EXCEPT the Opening Night on May 23, 2012 at Cinemax Versova, which is ONLY by invitation.
KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is the first and only gay & lesbian film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theater and the only queer festival to receive clearance from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The festival is organized by Solaris Pictures and Bombay Dost in association with The Humsafar Trust.
KASHISH 2012’s theme is ‘FOR EVERYONE’ and the festival will make a special effort to program films and have panel discussions that not only deal with gay, lesbian, transgender themes, but also those that relate to families and friends of LGBT people.
KASHISH 2012 is proud, privileged and delighted to bring together up and panel of eminent and acclaimed film and theatre professionals as Jury Members to judge the competitive categories. The jury this year comprises of actors/directors Renuka Shahane and Parvin Dabas, theatre actor/producer Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal, television/theatre actor Mona Ambegaonkar and film critic/author Mayank Shekhar. Click here for the Jury.
Key Highlights for this year will be:
120 films from 30 countries.
India Focus – Regional Films: Four queer feature films from India in four regional languages – Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil/Kannada and Hindi.
Country Focus – France: A special package of two feature length and six short films showcasing the best of contemporary French queer cinema.
Filmmaker in Focus – Rob Williams: US filmmaker Rob Williams, who has made popular gay romantic comedies and dramas is traveling to India to present his films at KASHISH.
Special package of sensitive, dramatic and touching features and shorts on HIV/AIDS is introduced under ‘Red Ribbon Films’ package.
Short film packages like Rainbow Warriors (about queer people who have made a difference), Indian Masala Mix (exciting shorts by young Indian filmmakers) and UnFair Games about homophobia in sports.
Q-Toons – A special package of gay animation films.
Kashish Coffee Break Online Film Competition.
Panel discussions, book readings, interactions with filmmakers and even an Art Corner.
The “competition section’’ will showcase films which will be judged by an eminent panel of Jury members.
- The Best Indian queer short film at KASHISH gets to compete for the Iris Prize in UK which carries a cash prize of 25,000 pounds.
- ‘Riyad Wadia award for Indian emerging filmmaker’ with a cash award of Rs.10,000.
- Best Feature Film will win a cash award of Rs 15,000 sponsored by Time Out.
