The 17th edition of KASHISH Pride Film Festival, South Asia’s biggest LGBTQ+ film festival, was held from June 3^rd to June 7^th at Liberty Cinema, Alliance Française de Bombay and National Gallery of Modern Art. In all the festival screened 153 films from 43 countries.

This year’s theme was ‘Reflect, Resonate, Rejoice’, an invitation for everyone to reflect upon where we came from, resonate with the happenings around us, and rejoice over the small victories.

Corporate houses, Consulates, and media organizations celebrated June Pride Month with KASHISH this year, reaffirming their commitment to support diversity and equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

“We celebrated our 17th year of the festival, and we came out stronger than ever with a diversified program and more venues. We are really humbled by the consistent support offered by many of our partners, many of them for the 11th or 7th or 4th year! More than the financial support, what matters is the value they bring in terms of speakers on the panel, support to film screenings and filmmakers, and also many of them even send a team of their employees to volunteer at the festival. This is truly walking the talk! Their support also helps bring visibility to the festival among their own target stakeholders and communities”, said Sridhar Rangayan, founder festival director

This year the Angel Partner was Tourism Office of Spain in India.

“Spain is proud to partner with KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026 as Angel Partner and Country in Focus. Spain has long been recognised internationally for its commitment to diversity, inclusion and LGBTQ+ rights, values that form an important part of contemporary Spanish society. Through cinema, culture and dialogue, KASHISH offers a meaningful platform to celebrate authentic stories and human connection. Under the theme ‘Spain, where diversity lives’, this collaboration also reflects Spain’s image as an open, welcoming and LGBTQ+ friendly destination, rich in culture, creativity, gastronomy, heritage and unique travel experiences. We hope this initiative further strengthens the cultural and tourism ties between Spain and India,” said Elena Orland, Tourism Counsellor at the Embassy of Spain in India and Director of the Tourism Office of Spain in India.

This year the Venture Partners were Morgan Stanley, General Mills, TIAA India and FLUX Mumbai.

Manoj Gupte, Managing Director, Technology and Executive Sponsor – India Pride and Ally Network, Morgan Stanley said, “Our long-standing partnership with the KASHISH Pride Film Festival reflects Morgan Stanley’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and allyship. KASHISH provides a powerful platform to the LGBT+ community, using storytelling to foster creative expression and meaningful dialogue. Through film screenings and conversations, we have witnessed how shared experiences empower individuals, challenge perceptions, and inspire change. Creating an environment where everyone can be their authentic selves is central to who we are, and we are proud of our collaboration with KASHISH and its continued positive impact on the LGBT+ community.”

“The KASHISH Pride Film Festival builds incredible community and celebrates the journey of being, becoming, and belonging,” said Francisca Villamil, Senior Director, General Mills. “We’re proud to be a part of such a significant event. It’s a meaningful expression of championing belonging, a core value at General Mills. To truly belong, every single voice needs to be heard, valued, and respected.”

“Cinema breaks walls. It opens opportunities to bring trans and queer narratives to the forefront. When we showcase these stories, we amplify trans and non-binary voices, ensuring they are heard loud, clear, and on their own terms”, said Queen Victoria Ortega, International President and Chief Visionary Officer, FLUX.

The Supporting Partners this year were KPMG, French Institute in India and the Government of Quebec in India.

The Award Partners were Lotus Visual Productions (UK), K.F.Patil Charitable Trust, Wadia Movietone, Whistling Woods International, GagaOolala (Taiwan), Samruddhi Studios, Keshav Suri Foundation, Tiger Baby Films, Kindling Films, Mr.Vikramaditya Motwane, Ms. Guneet Monga, Ms.Renuka Shahane, Mr.Abhay Kulkarni and Mr.Ashish Sawhny.

Neeraj Churi, producer at Lotus Visual Productions, supporter of the KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant Winner Award, said, “At Lotus Visual Productions, we are proud to support the KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant and this year’s powerful theme, ‘Reflect, Resonate, Rejoice.’ Queer cinema has the ability to reflect lived realities often unseen on screen, resonate across cultures and communities, and create spaces for joy, connection, and visibility. Supporting emerging LGBTQIA+ filmmakers is deeply aligned with our commitment to championing authentic and globally resonant South Asian stories. We believe initiatives like this are vital in nurturing bold new voices and strengthening a more inclusive future for independent cinema.”

Renuka Shahane, actress and supporter of the KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant Runner-Up Award, said, “My decision to support the KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant stems naturally from my allyship with the LGBTQIA+ community, which continues to fight new battles every day. This festival is such a crucial space for self-expression, and it’s up to us to protect and fund it. I’m just happy that my little contribution can uplift brilliant LGBTQIA+ artists and let them know that their work is truly seen and valued.”

Tiger Baby Films supported the Best Narrative Feature Award.

Kiran Rao, producer at Kindling Pictures, supporter of Best Indian Narrative Short Award, said, “Kindling Pictures is proud to support the 17th KASHISH Pride Film Festival in its continued celebration of bold, inclusive, and independent storytelling. Founded with the aim of creating stories that spark conversation and inspire new perspectives, we at Kindling believe in the power of cinema to enrich, empower and platform queer arts and artists.”

Jay Lin, Founder & CEO, GagaOOLala and Portico Media, supporter of Best International Narrative Short Award, said, “It is an honor for GagaOOLala to continue supporting KASHISH Pride Film Festival as the Award Partner for the Best International Narrative Short. For 17 editions, KASHISH has created an important and inspiring platform for LGBTQ+ voices in India and across South Asia, while fostering meaningful dialogue through cinema and community. At a time when independent queer storytelling remains more important than ever, we deeply value festivals like KASHISH that continue to champion authenticity, creativity, and inclusion. This year’s theme, Reflect, Resonate, Rejoice!, beautifully captures the spirit of pride, connection, and celebration that unites us all.”

Abhay Kulkarni, actor, who instituted the Best Screenplay Award in memory of his father Waman Kulkarni, said, “Awards are not just about prize money or trophy, it’s an appreciation and respect given to the qualitative hard work of a writer and creator. I wanted to institute an award for best writing in memory of my late father Dr Arvind Vaman Kulkarni, who was a well-known Poet and Writer in Marathi literature, and thought KASHISH is the best platform for this award. And I’m happy to be continuing it for the fifth year. KASHISH has always believed in quality, and this best screenplay award is for quality”

Amrutaa A Chavan, producer at Samruddhi Studios, supporter of the Best Performance in a Lead Role Award, said, “It is an honour for us, as creators across television, films, OTT series, and vertical dramas, to be associated as an award partner with the KASHISH Pride Film Festival. Storytelling has the power to inspire change, create empathy, and celebrate voices that deserve to be heard. Platforms like KASHISH are essential in encouraging inclusive narratives and giving visibility to diverse stories that connect with audiences across the world. We are proud to support a festival that champions courage, creativity, and authentic representation in cinema.”

Arunaraje Patil, Chairperson of K.F.Patil Charitable Trust, supporter of the Unity in Diversity Award for Best Documentary Feature and Short, said, “The KASHISH Pride Film Festival represents for me some of the values I hold dear – Freedom for one and inclusivity for another. Though the world has progressed technologically by leaps and bounds as a civilization we find ourselves in some kind of a time warp. In many ways we seem to be regressing. Human beings still have not learnt to live with each other – co-exist in harmony and celebrate their differences rather than discriminate. If people only heard what Nature tells us – ‘Guys as human beings you are all the same – I don’t differentiate – what are you differentiating for?’”

Meghna Ghai Puri, director of Whistling Woods, supporter of the Student Short Award, said, ““Stories have the power to build empathy and create meaningful change, and that is what KASHISH Pride Film Festival has beautifully achieved over the years. KASHISH has become an important platform for visibility, representation, and pride for the LGBTQIA+ community, while championing authentic and courageous storytelling. Whistling Woods International’s association with KASHISH over the years has also been deeply valuable in encouraging young creative voices and important dialogue through cinema. My heartfelt congratulations to the entire KASHISH 2026 team for continuing to create such an inclusive and impactful platform.”

Sharif Rangnekar, founder of Dwijen Dinanath Arts Foundation, supporter of the Genderation Short Award, said. “The Genderation Awards bring focus to the often ignored foundational years of queer and trans lives. It is a seminal category which we felt necessary to associate with given how these films can positively influence young queer and trans folks, families and society.”

Roy Wadia, director at Wadia Movietone, who instituted the Riyad Wadia Award for Best Emerging Indian Filmmaker in memory of his brother Riyad Wadia, said, “Amid the growing pushback on LGBTIQ+ rights not only in India but globally, KASHISH is a beacon more than ever for our communities – shining a light on our issues, offering optimism and sustenance. Wadia Movietone is proud to remain a steadfast partner to KASHISH, with our annual award for best emerging Indian filmmaker in the name of the late, great Riyad Wadia – LGBTIQ+ rights activist and cinematic pioneer.”

Ashish Sawhny, filmmaker, who instituted the Ismat Chughtai Award for Best Woman Filmmaker of South Asian Origin in memory of his grandmother Ismat Chughtai, said, “I am honored to continue presenting the Ismat Chughtai Award for Best Woman/Transwoman Filmmaker of South Asian Origin. My Nani stood for all forms of gender inclusivity & diversity, so this award is very resonant for us. It has been a joy to see the growth in both numbers & the overall quality of films each year.”

Keshav Suri, founder of Keshav Suri Foundation, which is supporting the Aditya Nanda Award for Best Film on Queer Mental Health  said, “Keshav Suri Foundation is proud to collaborate with KASHISH Pride Film Festival for the Aditya Nanda Award, reinforcing our shared commitment to advancing conversations around queer mental health. We believe inclusion goes beyond representation—it is about creating environments where individuals feel safe, valued, heard, and supported. Cinema and storytelling have the unique ability to challenge stigma, foster empathy, and spark meaningful dialogue. Through this collaboration, we hope to amplify narratives that encourage understanding, resilience, and healing, while furthering our commitment to dignity, mental wellbeing, and equal opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community.”

The Industry Partners were Accord Equips and Iris Prize. Gifting Partners were India Circus, Borges, 2.Oh! and Cold Lava. Hospitality Partners were The LaLiT and Offscript Wines.

About KASHISH Pride Film Festival

KASHISH Pride Film Festival (earlier known as KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival) is South Asia’s biggest queer film festival, and the first LGBTQ+ film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theatre. It is the first Indian LGBTQ+ festival to be held with approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India. Founded in 2010, KASHISH has grown to become an important medium for exhibition, production and distribution of LGBTQ+ films and the most needed platform to nurture Indian LGBTQ+ movement. KASHISH has been voted as one of the Top 5 LGBT Film Festivals in the World, and also one of the Top 5 Film Festivals in India.

More information at http://mumbaiqueerfest.com