PLEASE NOTE: EARLYBIRD REGISTRATIONS (with Rs.500 discount for LGB participants and Rs.250 discount for T/NB participants) WILL CLOSE ON APRIL 20, 2026 at 11.59 PM (IST)
TO APPLY TO THE GRANT, PLEASE CHECK FAQs at kpff.mojo.page/kqd2026
KASHISH Arts Foundation (India) invites emerging LGBTQ+ Directors of Indian origin based in India to submit their narrative screenplay focused on LGBTQ+ lives for the KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant 2026 that offers one winner Rs.2,50,000 to the filmmaker to make a LGBTQ+ narrative short film between 10-15 minutes, with the help of assigned mentor. Two runners-up will be offered Rs.25,000 each alongwith mentorship. The runners-up grant is supported by acclaimed actress Renuka Shahane.
From the submissions, 5 screenplays will be shortlisted, and the TOP 5 shortlisted participants will be called for an ONLINE pitching session in front of an eminent Jury panel. The winner and the runners-up will be announced at the Opening Night Ceremony of the 17 KASHISH Pride Film Festival on June 3, 2026 at the iconic Liberty Cinema.
Please note this is a Mentorship-driven Film Production Grant available to Indian LGBTQ+ Directors. This is NOT a script grant. Submit only if you have a well-developed screenplay.
Started in 2016, the KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant, managed by KASHISH Arts Foundation, and sponsored by Lotus Visual Productions, a production company based in UK/India, has been offering a production grant to support Indian filmmakers to realize their LGBTQ+ short film. Since 2022, the amount of the grant has been increased to Rs.2,50,000 and is being given to an Indian LGBTQ+ filmmaker who will be adjudged winner by the esteemed jury.
Till date 10 films have been produced as part of this initiative: https://kashishartsfoundation.
