The 12 edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival will be held from May 20 to 30 2021 online considering the still prevailing pandemic situation. The organizers have mentioned that they are still considering a two day on-ground festival if the situation improves, a decision which will be taken in February.
Meanwhile the festival has announced the theme for the festival ‘Unlock With Pride’, representing the festival’s mission to unlock geographical & racial barriers, and encourage love & acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals, and thereby unlock a new normal of hope for everyone.
Festival director Sridhar Rangayan said, “The 2020 edition of KASHISH, which was the first Indian film festival to go virtual with a full slate of new films, proved to be quite successful. So we are following it up with the 2021 edition which will also be primarily virtual. But we may do a two day event in a physical theater / auditorium if the situation is conducive. We want to continue KASHISH’s mission of creating awareness through cinema and celebrate the community’s resilience through these challenging times.”
Film submissions for the festival has opened and anyone across the world with a LGBTQIA+ film of any genre can submit for consideration through FilmFreeway : https://filmfreeway.com/KASHISH2021
“This year we have waived off submission fees in all categories, considering the challenging situation all filmmakers must be going through. So Happy Submissions!!” said Saagar Gupta, director of programming.
The festival organizers mentioned that they would like to focus, both in their programming and discussions, on the marginalized sections within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum – like lesbian & bisexual women, transmen, asexual and intersex persons and those identifying as queer or non-binary.