KASHISH 2013 Winners
Best Actor – Crystal Arnette (Polaroid Girl)
Crystal Arnette plays Sofie a shy and timid aspiring photographer in the short film Polaroid Girl.
(A new category introduced this year – Best performance by an actor (male or female) in any of the features or shorts that are part of the competitive categories above. The award carries a gift hamper and trophy sponsored by Anupam Kher’s ACTOR PREPARES.)
Best Narrative Feature – Morgan
Director: Michael Akers
89 min / 2011 / Narrative Feature / USA
A wipeout during a bike race broke Morgan Oliver”s back and paralyzed him from the waist down. He is frustrated that his new life in a wheelchair has put limits on his fiercely competitive nature and his aspirations as a biker. However a chance encounter with the handsome Dean Kagen makes Morgan more determined that being in a wheelchair will not change him. Dean supports Morgan when he decides to enter as a wheelchair competitor in the same bike race using a customized bike. But when Morgan risks his life to win, Dean has to decide between walking out or staying back. A film that puts faith in the truth: where there is a will, there is a way.
(The highest award at KASHISH is given to the best narrative feature. This category includes Indian and International films made in 2012/2013 and having their Indian Premier at KASHISH. It carries a plaque, a gift hamper and cash award of Rs.30,000 sponsored by Anupam Kher’s ACTOR PREPARES)
Best Documentary Feature – Hide and Seek (Chuppan Chupai)
Directors: Saadat Munir and Saad Khan
67 min / 2013 / Documentary Feature / Denmark, Pakistan
The documentary shows the secret, yet open lives of a group of sexual minorities – focusing on their internal conflicts, their constant play of ”hide and seek” from the mainstream population in the urban areas of Pakistan. LGBT rights in Pakistan are non-existent – and so there is no official LGBT community as such. The only somewhat tolerated group within sexual minorities, are the large transgender community who seem to form close bonds of familial ties to fight oppression and continue to smile through their tears.
(The best documentary feature award category includes Indian and International films made in 2012/2013 and having their Indian Premier at KASHISH. It carries a plaque and a gift hamper.)
Best Documentary Short – Two Girls Against The Rain
Director: Sao Sopheak
11 min / 2012 / Documentary Short / Cambodia
A true story about Soth Yun and Sem Eang, both now in their late 50s, loved each other since the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. The deep bond existing between them and their strength have helped them overcome all different kinds of resistances. A beautiful portrait of true love that conquers all barriers in a Cambodia small town, where talks of gay rights is just making its voice heard.
(The best documentary short award category includes Indian and International films made in 2012/2013 which are of 40 minutes or lesser, and having an Indian Premier at KASHISH. It carries a plaque, a gift hamper and a free 2 day HD shooting kit (camera, mike and one light) sponsored by Accord Equips.)
Best International Narrative Short – Polaroid Girl
Director: April Maxey
17 min / 2012 / Narrative Short / USA
Sofie, a shy and timid aspiring photographer meets June who runs a vintage camera shop. Something clicks, and as the two take off on a photography mission, Sofie learns a thing or two about standing up for herself.
(International narrative short films made in 2012/2013 and having their Indian Premier at KASHISH compete for this award, which carries a plaque and a gift hamper.)
Best Indian Narrative Short – Urmi
Director: Jehangir Jani
10.30 min / 2012 / Narrative Short / India
Urmi is a transgender person who lives in Mumbai. She goes through violent encounters with homophobic people and authorities. One incident makes her decide to choose her real self and live it.
(Indian narrative short films made in 2012/2013 and having their Indian Premier at KASHISH compete for this award, which carries a plaque, a gift hamper , a free 2 day HD shooting kit (camera, mike and one light) sponsored by Accord Equips and Rs.20,000 cash award sponsored by Anupam Kher’s ACTOR PREPARES.)
Riyad Wadia Award for Best Emerging Indian Filmmaker
Dopehri
Director: Manava Naik
60 min / 2012 / Narrative Feature / India
Inspired by true life-story of transgender activist Revathi, Dopehri tells us about the dreams, agonies and ordeals of a young boy with a girl’s soul. Doraiswamy ran away from his house in rural Karnataka to Mumbai to fulfill his wish. Thus begins Revathy’s journey of self-identification; through the passion and pain she receives by her clique, colleagues and society. She finally finds her identity in the Indian society where a transgender is not yet legally and socially acceptable.
Lonely Walls (Ektya Bhinti)
Director: Rohan Kanawade
38 min / 2012 / Narrative Short / India
Two individuals of same sexual orientation living under one roof, within same walls. The son has come out to his father and wants to live the way he is, but the father has still kept his sexual identity secret from his son. Both seem to be living happily, but can life ever be steady?!
(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 compete for this award which carries a plaque, a gift hamper, a free 2 day HD shooting kit (camera, mike and one light) sponsored by Accord Equips and Rs.15,000 cash award sponsored by Wadia Movietone.)
