SPECIAL EVENTS

Panel Discussions at KASHISH Mumbai International Film Festival 2014

Reel Basics: How to make a good film

Good films do not happen by accident. There are some basics to filmmaking that need to be in place before any magic can happen. There are six equally important components that require thought and consideration, when combined produce a great film – script, actors, camera work/ lighting, location & props, editing and soundtrack. Seven reputed film technicians associated with the Indian film industry and faculty members at Whistling Woods, delve into each area to highlight the basics of making good films. The panel is sponsored by Whistling Woods.

Panelists: TBA
Moderated by Ashish Sawhney
Thursday, May 22, 2014 | 5.00 – 6.00 pm | Upper Foyer, Liberty Cinema

LGBT Cinema and Literature as Catalysts for Change and Human Rights

Art Imitates Life imitates Activism! Is there a connection between LGBT Cinema, Literature, and Activism? Do filmmakers and authors who produce queer works need to become agents of change? When does one cross the thin red line where art becomes propaganda? As the LGBT rights movement grapples with the law and society’s attitudes in many parts of the world, how do works of art – whether a film or a work of literary fiction/non fiction – become tools of change and affect the basic human rights of LGBT persons at the grassroots level. The panel discussion will stimulate a dialogue on these issues with professor Mr. Thomas Waugh, Canadian scholar of visual culture and queer film, Prof. Dr. Raj Rao, Head Department of English University of Pune Academician, Poet, Novelist and Playwright, Queer rights activist; Vivek Anand, CEO of The Humsafar Trust and film producer; and a renowned filmmaker.

The panel is co-sponsored by Concordia University.

Panelists: Prof. Thomas Waugh, Prof. Raj Rao, Jerry Pinto, Vivek Anand
Moderated by Jerry Jhonson
Friday, May 23, 2014 | 3.00 – 4.00 pm | Upper Foyer, Liberty Cinema

The “Rights” Way Forward: A Panel Discussion on LGBT Rights and Human Rights

Ground realities for the LGBT community in India has been changing dramatically over the last six months. First the set back of the SupremeCourt reversal of verdict in December 2013 which effectively recriminalized same sex relations; and then the amazing verdict by the same Supreme Court in April 2014 recognizing Transgender people as a third gender and granting them special status; and recently the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to hear the curative petition on Sec 377 in an open court hearing. The Yogyakarta Principles underline that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be able to enjoy their human rights. As the LGBT rights movement grapples with the law and society’s attitudes, how does it affect the basic human rights of LGBT persons at the grassroots level. The panel discussion will stimulate dialogue with LGBT activists and lawyers about strategies to broadbase human rights laws to LGBT persons. The panel is co-sponsored by Alliance (Pehchan project) and Consulate of Canada.

Panelists: Abheena Aher, Hemangi Mhaprolkar, Parmesh Shahani, Pallav Patankar, Suraj Sanap
Moderator: Shobhna S Kumar
Saturday, May 24, 2014 | 1.00 – 2.00 pm | Upper Foyer, Liberty Cinema

Dialogues with Emerging Filmmakers

Since its debut in 2010, KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film fest has provided a platform to budding filmmakers who make films on queer themes with great resource crunch and against all odds. The festival provides a spring board to them to showcase their films on an international scale. For many filmmakers it is the only avenue to showcase their works to a larger mainstream audience. At the moderated Open House, a panel of young, emerging filmmakers, will speak about their joy, anxiety, passion and glory of taking that first step into filmdom.

Sunday, May 25, 2014 | 6.00 – 7.00 pm | Upper Foyer, Liberty Cinema