KASHISH 2021 AWARD CATEGORIES

Best Narrative Feature

The highest award at KASHISH is given to the best narrative feature. This category includes Indian and International narrative features completed after January 1, 2020 and having their Mumbai Premiere at KASHISH 2021.

It carries a certificate, an award trophy and a cash award of Rs.30,000 supported by KASHISH Arts Foundation.

Best Indian Narrative Short

Indian narrative short films completed after January 1, 2020 and having their Mumbai Premiere at KASHISH 2021 compete for this award.

It carries a certificate, an award trophy and a cash award of Rs.25,000 supported by Antilock Films.

Best International Narrative Short

International narrative short films completed after January 1, 2020 and having their Mumbai Premier at KASHISH 2021 compete for this award.

It carries a certificate, an award trophy and a cash award of Rs.20,000 supported by KASHISH Arts Foundation.

Best Performance in a Lead Role

Best performance by an actor – male, female or Trans* – in a lead role portraying an LGBTQIA+ character in any of the Narrative categories.

It carries a certificate, an award trophy and a cash award of Rs.20,000 supported by KASHISH Arts Foundation.

Best Screenplay

Best Screenplay Award is awarded to the screenplay writer of the best original or adapted screenplay of a narrative feature film or narrative short film that is part of the competitive categories.

It carries a certificate, an award trophy and a cash award of Rs.15,000 instituted in the memory of renowned Marathi poet and author late Dr. Arvind Waman Kulkarni.

K.F. Patil Unity in Diversity Award for Best Documentary Feature

The best documentary feature award category includes Indian and International documentaries completed after January 1, 2020 and having their Mumbai Premiere at KASHISH 2021.

It carries a certificate, an award trophy and a cash prize of Rs.20,000 supported by the K.F. Patil Charitable Trust.

K.F. Patil Unity in Diversity Award for Best Documentary Short

The best documentary short award category includes Indian and International documentary short films which are under 60 minutes, completed after January 1, 2020 and having their Mumbai Premiere at KASHISH 2021.

It carries a certificate, an award trophy and a cash prize of Rs.15,000 supported by the K.F. Patil Charitable Trust. 

Best Student Shorts Award

Short films made by students of film and media schools that are completed after January 1, 2020 and having their Mumbai Premiere at KASHISH 2021 compete for this award.

The award carries a certificate, an award trophy and a cash prize of Rs.20,000 supported by Whistling Woods International.

Riyad Wadia Award for Best Emerging Indian Filmmaker

Narrative short films by an Indian filmmaker, residing in India, whose first or second short film, that are completed after January 1, 2020, playing at KASHISH 2021 are eligible for nomination to this award category.

The award carries a certificate, an award trophy and a cash prize of Rs.25,000 supported by Wadia Movietone.

Wendell Rodricks Best Poster Design

This is an award given to the Best Poster Design to the winner chosen from an international poster design contest, and the winner chosen by late ace fashion designer Wendell Rodricks.

This award carries an award trophy and a cash prize of Rs.25,000 supported by Jerome Marrel, husband of late Wendell Rodricks

KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant

This is a film grant given to an Indian LGBTQIA+ filmmaker, based in India, to make a LGBTQIA+ narrative short film. The finalists will be selected through an open call for scripts and the winner picked in a pitching session.

This grant carries a cash sponsorship of Rs.2,00,000 sponsored by Lotus Visual Productions, alongwith mentorship by renowned screenwriters and other resources.