UNITED KINGDOM IS COUNTRY IN FOCUS AT KASHISH 2017

KASHISH and BFI collaborate for LGBT50

The “Country in Focus” this year at the 8the KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is the United Kingdom. KASHISH is collaborating with British Film Institute to commemorate LGBT50 – that marks the 50 years of decriminalization of homosexuality. South Asia’s biggest LGBTQ film festival KASHISH will be held between May 24-28, 2017 at two venues in South Mumbai – the city’s iconic art deco theatre Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise.

“Film has a powerful ability to open windows of understanding on other cultures, to open hearts and minds, and thus effect change.  We are thrilled to be able to connect with audiences in India and contribute to the rich diversity of South Asia’s biggest LGBTQ film festival.  We wish Kashish the best of luck for this year’s festival,” said Nicola Gallani, International Manager: Programme and Archive, British Film Institute

According to BFI, the programme will explore the pioneering and sometimes problematic depictions of LGBT life in British film in the years before and after the 1967 Sexual Offences Act that partially decriminalised same sex relations in England and Wales. Highlights from the programme will preview at KASHISH as part of the UK-India Year of Culture 2017.

“Over the past year, we have had a wonderful exchange with BFI and British Council. Firstly the visit of legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen to KASHISH opening last year created a huge stir. This was followed by me being invited to BFI Flare film festival in London this year to talk about KASHISH and LGBTQ situation in India. And now we continue the collaboration with the Country Focus program at KASHISH 2017. The UK-India cultural exchange is valuable because of the fact that we have a shared history. While UK began the decriminalising process 50 years ago and now upholds gay marriages too, India has not been successful in getting rid of section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises same sex relations,” said Srihdhar Rangayan, Festival Director.

The two films we are screening as part of this package are The Victim and My Beautiful Laundrette playing on Friday May 26th 5.00pm at Alliance Francaise and Thursday May 25th 5.45pm at Liberty Cinema. KASHISH is also screening a program of six amazing contemporary short films from UK under the program UK Shorts screening on Saturday 5pm at Alliance Francaise. The films in this package are: QUEEN’S MILE, SOULS, DUSK, CRUSH, GUY’S GUYS, PASTRY. Nine more short films and documentaries from UK are also being screened in various programs at the festival.