Event: KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival
Yamini Walia tells you more about the fifth edition of India’s biggest LGBT film festival
The KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is back with its fifth edition. The festival is India’s biggest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) event and this year, it will showcase 154 films from 31 countries — which is the most it has had in all its editions. It boasts of 67 premieres from Asia as well as from across the world.
Highlighting the theme of this year’s festival, Sridhar Rangayan, filmmaker and festival director, tells us, “Every year, we screen a large number of films on transgender issues from across the world and they have been greatly appreciated. This year too, the spotlight is on transgender films as well as a panel discussion about the current scenario at KASHISH.”
The festival began this month at both Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise de Bombay. The opening night at Liberty cinema, which is one of the largest single screen theatres in India, was attended by ex-MP Nitish Bharadwaj, advisory board member Roy Wadia, costume designer Pia Benegal, actor Avantika Akerkar, Aruna Raje and Sridhar Rangayan.
The film Out of the Dark was showcased on opening night. The festival is still taking place at both Alliance Francaise de Bombay and Liberty.
When Up to May 24 at Alliance Francaise Bombay and up to May 25 at Liberty
Where Liberty Cinema, Vithaldas Thackersey Marg, Dhobi Talao, New Marine Lines and Alliance Francaise de Bombay, 40, Theosophy Hall, New Marine Lines
Contact www.mumbaiqueerfest.com