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Dear friends and colleagues, dear filmlovers, we proudly announce our participation at the Kashish 3rd Mumbai International Queer Film Festival 2012. Between May 23 and 27 we kindly invite you to attend our screenings.
GOTHENBURG International Film Festival 2012 TRIBECA International Film Festival 2011 BAFICI 2011 LA HABANA Latin American Film Festival 2011
My Last Round Mi Último Round by Julio Jorquera Chile/Argentina 2010, 97 min Every chance is worth fighting for In the south of Chile a love story is born between successful boxer Octavio and Hugo, a kitchen assistant. Moving to the capital Santiago, they expect to fulfil their dreams and live their love – secretly defying it from the hostile outside. But nothing turns out like planned: while Hugo meets Jennifer, who shows him a world unknown, Octavio makes a new attempt at what he does best: boxing. But this time he doesn’t look for victory. This fight could be a new way out – or his very last round.
AWARDS: Best Film – Zinegoak 2012, Best Actors (Roberto Farías, Héctor Morales) – LesGaiCineMad IFF 2011, Diversity Award for the Best Fillm – Barcelona LGBT IFF 2011, Best Actor (Roberto Farias) – Queer Lisboa FF 2011, Cinema City Award – Valdivia IFF 2010
Meet us at the Marché du Film in Cannes!! Maren Kroymann, Anne Wiedlack, Aleksandra Abykova and Sarah Stolle will attend the Cannes Film Market from May 16 to 23. Please visit us at our booth n° E20 at Riviera. m-appeal . Prinzessinnenstraße 16 . 10969 Berlin . Germany. Fon: +49 30 61 507 505 . Fax: +49 30 27 582 872 . berlinoffice@m-appeal.com . www.m-appeal.com
Presents
40, rue Sainte Anne – 75002 Paris T. 33 1 53 95 04 64 – F. 33 1 53 95 04 65 infos@widemanagement.com /festivals@widemanagement.com www.widemanagement.com
Contents Festival Vision 18 19 Festival Patron Jury Members 20 Festival Directors 23 Films in Competition 24 Poster Competition 26 Awards 27 28 Country Focus – France Filmmaker in Focus 29 Cinemax – May 23 – Opening Night Film 31 Cinemax – May 24 32 46 Cinemax – May 25 Cinemax – May 25 – Centrepiece Film 55 Cinemax – May 26 57 Cinemax – May 26 – Centrepiece Film 65 Cinemax – May 26 – Queer Classics 68 Cinemax – May 27 69 Cinemax – May 27 – Closing Night Film 79 Alliance Française – May 24 81 87 Alliance Française – May 25 Alliance Française – May 26 94 Allied Events 101 102 Festival Team Festival Partners & Associates 104 Friends of KASHISH 107 List of Films 114 118 Festival Schedule
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Festival Vision KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is an attempt to encourage greater visibility of Indian and International queer cinema among both queer and mainstream audiences as a means to foster better understanding of queer thoughts, desires and expressions. ‘Kashish’ means ‘attraction or allurement’ in Urdu. The festival showcases films with gay, lesbian and transgender themes, with the primary objective being to mainstream queer visibility through cinema. KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival created history in April 2010 by holding the first ever queer film festival in India in a mainstream theatre and receive clearance from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. It was a landmark event, not only in the LGBTQ movement, but also in the cultural space of Mumbai. The first edition was held from April 22 - 25, 2010 at two venues simultaneously – PVR Cinemas, Juhu (a mainstream multiplex) and Alliance Française de Bombay. It screened 110 films from 25 countries with over 1200 people attending. The second edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival 2011 was ``bigger, bolder and queerer!’’. It was held between May 25-29, 2011 at two venues – Cinemax Versova and Alliance Française de Bombay and screened 124 films from 23 countries. This year the festival will showcase 120 films from 30 countries. Each of the films screened explores the life stories and experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender characters, highlighting not only the difficulties but also the sheer currents of diversity real life offers. As always, the festival provides a platform for films that explore the diverse realities, complexities, joys and sorrows that make up the Indian queer experience as well as celebrate queer identities in an entertaining manner. Queer or not, this festival promises an extravaganza `For Everyone’!
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Festival Patron
Shyam Benegal KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is honoured and privileged to have the renowned filmmaker and eminent advocate of good cinema Mr.Shyam Benegal as our Festival Patron. Shyam Benegal is a prolific Indian director and screenwriter. With his first four feature films Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976), Bhumika (1977) and Susman (1987), he created a new genre, which has now come to be called the “parallel cinema� in India although he himself has expressed dislike in the term preferring his work to be called New or Alternate cinema. Benegal was backed by film star Shashi Kapoor for whom he made Junoon (1978) and Kalyug (1981). The 90s saw Shyam Benegal making a trilogy on Indian Muslim women, starting with Mammo (1995), Sardari Begum (1996), and Zubeidaa (2001). He also wrote and directed Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda (1993) The Making of the Mahatma (1996), Samar (1999) and then Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005). His latest film was Welcome To Sajjanpur (2008). He has won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times. He has also won the Golden Palm at Cannes (for Nishant in 1976), the Golden Bear at Berlinale (for Ankur in 1974) and numerous other international awards. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991. He was awarded the highest award in Indian cinema for lifetime achievement, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2005. Shyam Benegal is the Chairman of the extremely popular Mumbai Film Festival organized by MAMI, a trust that aims to foster a climate of good cinema by providing an exposure to the best of films the world has to offer, stripped of all the limiting labels of art and commercial.
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Jury Members KASHISH 2012 is proud, privileged and delighted to bring together a Panel of eminent and acclaimed film and theatre professionals as Jury Members to judge the competitive categories.
Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal
Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal has produced, directed and starred in over 60 productions that include some of India’s most acclaimed and longest-running shows Shirley Valentine, Art, (Two) Hot To Handle, (W)hole In The Head, and now entering its tenth year in India, The Vagina Monologues (in English & Hindi) amongst many others. She has also lent her name to causes including ending violence against women and the girl child. Mahabanoo was chosen by Femina Magazine as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in India in 2007. Human rights activist and author Zerbanoo Gifford, in her book Confessions to a Serial Womaniser - Secrets of the World’s Inspirational Women, has featured Mahabanoo as one of the 200 Most Inspirational Women from around the world. “I am so looking forward to seeing some great cinema on a topic and issue so relevant to the lives of so many who are victimised the world over simply for who they are. Art has a great role to play in building a more aware and a more open and accepting society and a film festival like this is most necessary in a country like ours.”
Mayank Shekhar
Taking up journalism after graduating in Economics from Delhi’s St. Stephen’s College, Mayank Shekhar has been a popular writer and film critic for over a decade, first with Mid Day, then with Mumbai Mirror, and then with Hindustan Times, where he served as the national cultural editor. In 2007, Mayank became the first recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Award, India’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, for film and television journalism. In 2006, he was rated among the top emerging film critics of the world at the Berlin film festival. His first book Bombay Talkies was published in 2006. Mayank has also anchored shows for NDTV 24x7, Sony Pix, Zoom. He has served on the international jury of film festivals like Mumbai’s MAMI and the Pune International Film Festival. “A festival like Kashish maps an alternative space and community, a whole world out there that cinema can make us privy to, empathize with, begin to befriend. Truly looking forward to the films.”
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Kashish 2012
Mona Ambegoankar
Mona Ambegaonkar made her debut as an actress in 1990 with Zakhmi Zameen and then acted in critically acclaimed movies including Mrityudand, Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Chirantan and the trend setting Marathi movie Bindhaast for which she won the Critics Choice award. On television she has acted in popular serials like Sanjivani, Dhadkan and Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? Her theatre credits include works with Nadira Babbar and Makarand Deshpande in India, the Footsbarn Theatre Company in France and the Ton Und Kirshen Theatre Company in Germany. She has also conducted readings of late Chetan Datar’s play that deals with homosexuality Ek, Madhav Baug in educational institutions and corporate offices across India. The reading of the play debuted at the first edition of Kashish in 2010. ‘Kashish opened the doors to the activist in me - the one that wanted to fight discrimination of all kinds but didn’t know how or where to begin. Kashish also gave me the opportunity to view films made with so much angst and pain and with such an urgent desire to tell stories that must be told that I am humbled by my own good luck.”
Parvin Dabas
Parvin Dabas studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York followed by a stint at HB studios, New York. He returned to India and set up his own theatre group in Delhi at 22, before he moved to Mumbai and Bollywood. Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding was his big break and he followed this up with a diverse array of roles in films such as Khosla ka Ghosla, Maine Gandhi ko Nahi Maara, My Name is Khan and The World Unseen. Parvin made his directorial debut with the film Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande, which was part of the Indian panorama section of the IFFI 2011 and won the Silver Remi award from WorldFest-the Houston and a Bronze Palm award at Mexico International Film Festival 2011. “What I expect to see at Kashish 2012 as a jury member is a lot of good films! and when I say good, I mean films that have been made with a lot of passion and integrity as that is what I feel Kashish stands for.’’
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Renuka Shahane
Renuka Shahane is a well-known model, actress and filmmaker. After an MA in Clinical Psychology and a stint with modeling for several leading brands, Renuka moved to Marathi plays and television serials and won the Filmfare award for Best Actress for her role in the Marathi film Aboli (1996). She became a household name, with the extremely popular serials Surabhi and Close-Up Antakashari and then in the blockbuster film Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. Her impressive directorial debut feature Rita, made in 2009 went on to win the Best Director award for Marathi films at the 16th Star-Screen awards and the prestigious Best Director by the Maharashtra Rajya Patrakaar Puraskaar as well as Best Supporting Actress for her role in Rita, at both MaTa Sanmaan and V Shantaram awards. “I am looking forward to enriching myself with a set of films from a radically different perspective. I would like to be surprised by experiments in form and content made by people who are either from or who sympathize with a growing number of people who are trying to break free from marginalisation, misunderstanding, misinformation and suspicion.”
(Additional Jury for the Riyad Wadia Award for Emerging Indian Filmmakers)
Roy Wadia
Roy Wadia is Executive Director of Heroes Project, the HIV communications and advocacy NGO that is part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Avahan programme. Hailing from the Wadia Movietone family, and brother of the late filmmaker and gay activist Riyad Wadia, Roy worked at CNN for 12 years, helping launch and produce much of the global broadcaster’s Asia-Pacific news programming. In 2003, Roy switched careers by joining the World Health Organisation’s China office as its communications and advocacy officer, working on campaigns ranging from HIV to environmental health. Roy shuttles between Bombay and Vancouver, Canada, where he has a home with his husband Alan. I’m thrilled to be joining the KASHISH jury this year to select the recipient of the Riyad Wadia Award for Best Emerging Indian Filmmaker, established in memory of my beloved late brother who was India’s first openly gay filmmaker (BOMgAY, A Mermaid Called Aida). KASHISH stands for diversity and empowerment, just like our wider community itself. KASHISH is ensuring that we have a collective voice through cinema and activism, a powerful combination that embodies the ethos of my brother himself.
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Festival Directors Sridhar Rangayan Festival Director
“When we started KASHISH in 2010, it was based on a simple fact that there was no queer film festival in Mumbai and there needed to be one. But the shape KASHISH has taken is beyond our own expectations. It has not only become the biggest queer film festival in India, but also more importantly a springboard to emerging Indian talent, nurturing them by providing a global platform for their films through our partner festivals. Our other vision of mainstreaming queer visibility through cinema takes on a new dimension this year with the theme ‘for everyone’ where we hope friends, families, colleagues of queer persons will come to the festival to see queer-themed films that makes everyone laugh, cry, dance and also ponder.” Sridhar Rangayan, partner in Solaris Pictures, is a writer and director whose queer films have travelled all over the world and won awards. He has served as a jury member at Berlin International Film Festival and Movies That Matter Film Festival. He is also the Founder Trustee of The Humsafar Trust and serves on the Board of Bombay Dost.
Pallav Patankar Festival Director
“KASHISH as an event brings in a confluence of not only “the queer community” but also their friends, families and their colleagues. It brings together filmmakers, critics, writers and a huge media fraternity that understands issues, sees portrayals and sensitises itself to a reality far removed from the usual. In the process of organizing KASHISH, we deal with several quarters of the government machinery as well as corporate entities to make them aware of our presence, our vision, our aspirations. KASHISH is not just a film festival, but its process in itself is an advocacy to change the way one looks at an existence beyond the majorities.” Pallav Patankar is an executive board member of The Humsafar Trust functioning as The Director-HIV Programs. He also serves as a board member of APCOM-Asia Pacific Coalition of MSM and the Project Director on Project Pehchan. A management professional by training ,and an international business professional in his previous avatar , Pallav Patankar has settled back in India to be actively involved with the queer community at local and national levels.
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Films in Competition
Narrative Features
5
1
Documentary Features
4
1
2
1
5
2
13
2
6
3
4
3
Narrative Features 1. August 2. The Love Patient 3. Men To Kiss (Männer Zum Knutschen) 4. My Last Round (Mi Último Round)
5. We The Outsiders… (Aamhi Ka Tisre…) Documentary Features 1. Ballroom Rules 2. My Dear Gay Teacher 3. Let The Butterflies Fly
Documentary Shorts
(Chittegalu Haradali) 4. Looking for Gay Bollywood 5. Rites Of Passage 6. Tales of the Waria Documentary Shorts
4
1. Are We So Different (Amra Ki Etoi Bhinno) 2. Between The Two 3. Changing The Game 4. Nerve
4
9
Indian Narrative Shorts
International Narrative Shorts
5
10
1
1
6
11
2
2
7
12
3
3
8
13
4
4. Fuckbuddies 5. Green Line 6. Half 7. The Keys (Las Llaves) 8. The Lesson
9. Nice Shirt 10. No Clothes 11. Through the Window (Me’Ever La’Chalon) 12. Wild Imaginings 13. Your Warmth (Chom Gufcha)
Indian Narrative Shorts 1. I am (Ahm!) 2. Khwaishqaein 3. The Night is Young (Raat Baaki) 4. Relations
International Narrative Shorts 1. Along The Road (Längs Vägen) 2. Boxes (Kufasot) 3. Cold Star
Poster Competition The contest KASHISH this year held a contest to design its official festival poster. The winner was picked by India’s ace fashion designer Wendell Rodricks. The contest saw a huge number of entries from professional and amateur designers as well as students across India. The contest achieved what it set out to - not just focus on the metros but also reach out to queer persons in tier-two and tier-three cities across India. The winner being from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh just underscores the reach KASHISH has had in the last two years.
Wendell Rodricks
The judge Haute Couture designer Wendell Rodricks, who has been out and open about his sexuality, was the celebrity judge to pick the winner. Wendell gave up his career in hotel management to set the ramps ablaze in India and abroad. Following stints in Los Angeles and Paris, he returned to India in 1988 and two years later set up his own label. He also established the much talked about Wendell Rodricks Design Space in Panjim. “I was delighted to be a judge on a contest that involves everyone to be a part of and contribute to a queer event. This I feel is the best way of breaking down barriers and reducing stigma. The winning poster raced ahead of the rest due to the creative nature of translating the butterfly motif without resorting to the butterfly icon that is part of the Festival motif. That apart, the message is conveyed with clarity, minimalism and dignity - three characteristics I personally cherish.
S Ayyappa
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The winner The KASHISH Poster designed by S Ayyappa, a young graphic design student from Vijayawada was picked as the winner by Wendell. S Ayyappa, the young student pursuing his MSc Visual Communication (graphic design) at Andhra Loyala College, Vijayawada, was ecstatic. “My friend Sampath urged me to send my entry and this is the first national competition that I have participated in. This award will help me to move forward on my way to successful career in design with confidence and support.” The prize The winner of the poster contest will receive a KASHISH trophy and a gift hamper. The winning design will also be featured on hoardings, print and online advertisements, catalogue covers, banners, cinema slides, delegate cards and KASHISH merchandise.
Awards Best Narrative Feature The highest award at KASHISH is given to the best narrative feature, which includes Indian and International films made in 2011/2012. It carries a cash award of Rs15,000, a plaque and a gift hamper sponsored by Time Out India. Best Documentary Feature The best documentary feature award category includes Indian and International films made in 2011/2012. It carries a plaque and a gift hamper. Best Documentary Short The best documentary short award category includes Indian and International films made in 2011/2012. It carries a plaque, a gift hamper and a free two day HD shooting kit (camera, mike and one light) sponsored by Accord Equips. Best International Narrative Short International narrative short films made in 2011/2012 compete for this award, which carries a plaque and a gift hamper. Best Indian Narrative Short Indian narrative short films made in 2011/2012 compete for this award which carries a plaque, a gift hamper and a free two day HD shooting kit (camera, mike and one light) sponsored by Accord Equips. Riyad Wadia Award for Best Emerging Indian Filmmaker Indian narrative and documentary short films made in 2011/2012 that are the filmmaker’s first or second film compete for this award which carries a plaque, a gift hamper and a free two day HD shooting kit (camera, mike and one light) sponsored by Accord Equips. It also carries a cash award of Rs10,000 sponsored by Wadia Movietone. KASHISH Coffee Break Audience Award 10 films under 10 mins made in 2011/2012 compete for this online competition, where audience from all over the world can watch and vote to pick the winner. The award carries a plaque & a distribution deal with Indieflix. Best Poster Design An international poster design contest started this year for designers from all over the world to conceptualise and design the official KASHISH Poster. The award carries a plaque and a gift hamper.
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Country Focus - France France and India, both vibrant democracies, are known for their individualistic yet diverse culture, food and style, besides sharing a common passion for cinema. The first cinema show in India was arranged in 1896 at the Watson Hotel in Mumbai by the agents of two French brothers, Louis and August Lumiere, pioneers of the Cinematography in France. Over the years, French cinema has deeply influenced Indian filmmakers. KASHISH 2012 takes this cinematic alliance to a whole new level this year. KASHISH pays tribute to French queer films and filmmakers with its ‘Country Focus – France’ package of two feature films and six short films – from a musical drama to a sensitive romance and of course the ‘very French’ avant garde shorts, portraying diverse queer expressions in contemporary French Cinema. Consul General of France in Mumbai Jean-Raphaël Peytregnet said, `` It is a great honour that France is the country of honour at Kashish 2012. I wish this edition of Kashish festival great success and intend to be part of this prestigious festival for a long time.’’ The festival will screen two highly acclaimed French Features Gigola directed by Laure Charpentier and Le Fil (The String) directed by Mehdi Ben Attia. Gigola is a breathtaking exploration of the gay underbelly of Paris in the 1960s through the eyes of a suave lesbian hustler; and Le Fil is a bittersweet romance that plays on the class difference between a rich young man and a handsome young labourer. Both the films boast of wonderful cameos by two of France’s top notch actresses - Marisa Paredes in Gigola and Claudia Cardinale in Le Fil. The Country Focus also includes a short film package: FRENCH RENDEZVOUS with six short films portraying contemporary French queer cinema – ranging from tender love stories to tongue-in-cheek humour to an action thriller. ‘Country Focus – France’ package is brought in association with Embassy of France in India, Institut Français and Alliance Française de Bombay.
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Filmmaker In Focus Rob Williams Rob Williams, regarded as one of the most prolific gay filmmakers working today, fills many shoes – he is an award-winning screenwriter, director, producer and co-owner of Guest House Films. From gay romantic comedies to dramas, Rob has an impressive roster of movies dealing with the politics of human relationships, pepped up with an attractive and talented cast and interesting scripts. His movies have screened at film festivals around the world, winning audience, jury and acting awards, and securing distribution deals in North America and international territories. Along with his long-time partner (and fellow screenwriter) Rodney Johnson, Rob was named to Instinct Magazine’s “Leading Men of 2008” for their contributions to gay cinema. KASHISH 2012 showcases his three features, from his debut feature Long Term Relationship (2006) to his later productions, Make The Yuletide Gay (2009) and Role / Play (2010). A short film written by him – Regrets, is also screening in the short film package, Crossed Paths. Rob is currently working on The Men Next Door, a comedy about a 40-yearold man and his love affairs. He manages to squeeze out a few days to be at KASHISH and personally present his films to the audience in Mumbai. Filmography: 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
The Men Next Door (in production) Regrets (short) (written by) Role/Play Make the Yuletide Gay 3-Day Weekend Back Soon Long-Term Relationship
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Cinemax May 23-27
May 24th screenings at Cinemax is sponsored by Time Out India May 25th & 26th screenings at Cinemax is sponsored by DKT India 30
Kashish 2012
Opening Night Film
Cinemax
May 23 9.30 pm
Beginners 2010 Narrative Feature 105 min USA English with EST Indian Premiere Film Courtesy: PVR Pictures
Oscar-winning film Beginners, imaginatively explores the glee, confusion, and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver (Golden Globe Award nominee Ewan McGregor). Shortly after the death of his mother, Oliver’s father Hal (Christopher Plummer, winner of the 2012 Academy Award, Golden Globe & BAFTA awards for Best Supporting Actor) decides to come out of the closet at age 75 and live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life – which includes a younger boyfriend, Andy. The story weaves in Hal fighting cancer and Oliver’s nascent relationship with the irreverent and unpredictable Anna. Beginners was inspired by Mike Mills’ own father and is meant in turn to inspire everyone weighing their chances and choices in life and love. Festivals & Awards: Academy Award, Golden Globe & BAFTA awards in 2012 (Christopher Plummer for Best Supporting Actor) Toronto Film Festival, 2010 (World Premiere) Melbourne International Film Festival, 2011 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, 2012 54th San Francisco International Film Festival, 2012 (Opening Film)
Director: Mike Mills
Writer/ Director Mike Mills graduated from Cooper Union, 1989. His 2005 feature film Thumbsucker won him the Silver Bear trophy at the Berlin Film Festival. He has directed music videos for Moby, Air, Pulp and Yoko Ono amongst many others. He has also combined his passion for music with design by creating record sleeves for Sonic Youth, Deee-Lite and Beastie Boys.
Opening night sponsored by Barclays
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May 24 10.00 am
Cinemax
We The Queers Applauding the acceptance, celebrating the identities and challenging the stereotypes - this package brings five elevating stories from different parts of the globe. 2011 Documentary Short
Take It / Break It Director:
Masa Zia Lenardic, Anja Wutej
20 min Slovenia Slovene, English with EST
2012 Experimental Short
All lesbians are butch and all gays are feminine. Are you sure? It’s time to break those stereotypes and show a different side of who we are! After all, stereotypes are stereotypes and nothing more.
The Ball Director:
Jonathan Lemieux
3.14 min Canada English with EST World Premiere
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Kashish 2012
A gay man reflects upon his identity and his fears at the sight of a ball stuck in a water current.
2011 Experimental Short
The Rosa Song Director:
Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay
11 min Germany, Canada German with EST International Premiere
2011 Narrative Short
Forty years after the release of Rosa von Praunheim´s cult film “It is not the homosexual who is perverse, rather the situation in which he lives” (Nicht der Homosexuelle ist pervers, sondern die Situation, in der er lebt) ”, a group of men assemble to review, rewrite and re-stage its legendary finale. The Rosa Song combines dialogue from the original film with challenging new ideas about gay male life in Germany and internationally, concluding with a rousing musical manifesto that breathes new life into this 1970s classic.
Cold Star Director:
Kai Stänicke
7 min Germany No Dialogues Asian Premiere In Competition
2010 Documentary Short
Acceptance of one’s own identity can be as exhilarating as diving right in! A boy experiences new desires while watching a man at an indoor swimming pool. Forced up the diving platform by a rowdy gang, he receives help from an unexpected source.
Chained! Director:
Betsy Kalin
14 min USA English
Asian Premiere
A sexy, humorous romp through the lives of lesbians who define themselves by their chains. From Victorian pocket watches to Zoot Suit style to motorcycle necessity, wallet chains have evolved over the years to become more than a trend in lesbian culture. What drives women to wear chains?
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May 24 11.15 am
Cinemax
French Rendezvous KASHISH, this year, has a French Date! A package of six short films portraying Contemporary French Queer Cinema – ranging from tender love stories to tongue-in-cheek humour to an action thriller. 2008 Narrative Short
Girls of Fire (Les Filles De Feu) Director:
Jean-Sébastien Chauvin
25 min French with EST Asian Premiere
2006 Narrative Short
Two girls on the phone are looking for each other but never succeed to connect. Then, one of them vanishes...
An Other World (Un Autre Monde) Director:
David Haddad
18.45 min French with EST Indian Premiere
2009 Narrative Short
A funny twist to the norm! In a society where to be ‘straight’ means to live with someone of the same sex, Gabriel is ‘abnormal’ because he is in love with a woman.
Just For Sex (Plan Cul) Director:
Olivier Nicklaus
12 min French with EST Asian Premiere
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Kashish 2012
What can you do if you have a sex date but your house, as always, is full of people and you have just fifteen minutes to send them all away!
2011 Narrative Short
Manhunt (Chasse à l’homme) Director:
Stéphane Olijnyk
28 min French with EST Indian Premiere
2011 Narrative Short
A short thriller based on the novel Chasse à l’homme by Jean-Bernard Pouy and Patrick Raynal. A young terrorist is trapped by Gavras, a hunter of the Special Intervention Unit who is tracking him. Thus begins a long march through the forest with many battles for control – some verbal, some physical.
La Derade Director:
Pascal Latil
13 min French with EST Asian Premiere
2009 Narrative Short 8 min
Simon and his sailor boyfriend François are devoted to each other. But Simon has a chronic illness and is awaiting a heart transplant. Sometimes love is not the most important gift that one can give.
The Incredible Adventures Of Fusion Man (Es Incroyables Aventures De Fusion Man)
Directors:
Marius Vale, Xavier Gens
French with EST Asian Premiere A gay superhero story! Marc is preparing to spend a quiet romantic evening with his boyfriend-the superhero Fusion Man, who has to rush to rescue a young man from the trap laid by his arch-enemy Wako, who dares to reveal Fusion Man’s secret. This package is also screening at Alliance Française May 24, 6.00 pm
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May 24 1.30 pm
Cinemax
Rainbow Warriors Continuing its themed package Rainbow Warriors to salute queer individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the movement, KASHISH this year brings three inspiring short films from the Indian LGBT spectrum. 2012 Documentary Short
Eat, Pray And Supergays Directors: Jennifer Chang, Lisa Dazols
9.39 min USA English with EST World Premiere 2011 Documentary Feature
Lisa and Jenni travel through India to meet some ‘Super gays and Super lesbians’ who are leading the momentum on the LGBT movement.
My Dear Gay Teacher Director: Saraswati Kavula
46 min INDIA English with partial EST World Premiere In Competition 2011 Documentary Short
My Dear Gay Teacher is an attempt to explore the personality behind the ‘persona’ called Hoshang Merchant. He is a man of many facets and moods, but always full of wit. He is a rebel with a cause!
Project Bolo: Indian LGBT Movement Director: Sridhar Rangayan
18 min INDIA English Hindi with partial EST
36
This short weaves together excerpts from interviews for Project Bolo to trace
Kashish 2012 the important milestones of the Indian LGBT movement.
May 24
Cinemax
3.15 pm
Rites Of Passage 2012 Documentary Feature 46 min USA English with EST Asian Premiere In Competition
Maya Jafer, a 40-year-old transgender, known to her blood relatives as Mohammad Jafer chooses to undergo gender reassignment surgery in Bangkok, under her family’s radar. As a devout Muslim, daughter of an abusive father, immigrant to the US, holistic medicine practitioner, and holder of two PhDs, Maya has had to meet a lot of challenges in her life. This film is an honest first-hand look at the real life struggles and joys Maya, and indeed other transgenders, face while undergoing their own rites of passage. Festivals & Awards Los Angeles Transgender Film Festival (World Premiere) - Audience Choice Award Queens World Film Festival,New York - Nomination, Best Documentary Short
Director: Jeff Roy
Jeff Roy is an American-born filmmaker and musician based in Los Angeles and Mumbai. Roy holds an MA in ethno-musicology from UCLA, and is currently working towards a PhD degree in the same field. Rites of Passage is Roy’s first feature-length documentary film.
Preceded by: 2011 Narrative Short
Charlotte Director:
Daniel Monks
4 min Australia English In a suburban café, a seemingly harmless blind-date turns disastrous for Charlotte!
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May 24 5.00 pm
Cinemax
Unfair Games Throughout the world, queer sportspersons are smacked down by their homophobic peers and authorities. Sometimes even they themselves turn homophobic because of the stigma associated with being queer. Last year KASHISH voiced its concern about the rising homophobic bullying in schools and colleges. This year it brings three films from USA and India to address Homophobia in Sports. A tiny effort for sure, but as they say – Win some, Loose some, but Never Give Up!
2010 Narrative Short
Triple Standard Director: Branden Blinn
19.44 min USA English
Indian Premiere
Post a game of basketball, a mischievous good humored gesture by his fellow player, is returned by a homophobic litany from Crim. As everyone’s post workout glow and exuberance drains from the room, Crim’s roommate D in particular seems most affected by Crim’s attack. When D arrives home for dinner that night it is revealed that D and Crim are and actually have been, lovers – for years. The dialogue that ensues between D and Crim brings to light both the public and private disconnect that occurs in the world of closeted athletes who, due to fame, fortune and culture are forced to fight fierce, often times, lonely battles to come to terms and live with who they really are. Also screening on May 24, 11.00 pm along with feature August
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2011 Documentary Short
Changing The Game Director: Jacqueline Gares
12.53 min USA English International Premiere In Competition Film Courtesy: PVR Pictures
2010 Documentary Short 16 min
Professional athletes are models of strength and endurance, and heroes to the young athletes, who look up to them. Unfortunately, the macho and homophobic world of sports doesn’t breed model behaviour. The film, produced by In The Life Media, examines the message homophobic athletes send to young people on courts and fields across the country, and speaks with allies in professional sports who are standing up to put an end to it.
Y Can’t I Run? The Story Of Santhi Soundarajan Director: Payoshni Mitra
India English, Tamil with EST Indian Premiere
Santhi Soundarajan is a former Indian track and field athlete who remains in the public memory as an athlete who failed a gender test at the Asian Games in Doha in 2006. Since then her body has been publicly discussed, her sexual anatomy scrutinized, and her identity questioned. Y Can’t I Run? takes us through the life of Santhi Soundarajan, her rise as an athlete, the Asian Games and the sex test and the humiliation she suffered since then. Made as part of a post-doctoral research on intersex athletes in India, the documentary explores the story of Santhi Soundarajan as told by her, her family members and friends.
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May 24 6.15 pm
Cinemax
Bollywood Beats 2009 Narrative Feature 113 min USA English
Life doesn’t seem to be going according to plan for hip-hop choreographer Raj until he meets Jyoti, an attractive older woman who suggests that he start a dance class for Indian women. While unsuccessful at first, Raj’s class begins to grow with students like Laxmi, a housewife new to the country, Puja, an unenthused high-school student, her spunky and fun loving granny Vina and Vincent a young student who is confronting issues of masculinity and sexuality. Just when the dance class starts to flourish, Raj gets the opportunity of a lifetime. But will Raj leave his students in their time of need? Come discover friendship, family, and yourself in this heart-warming film with rhythmic and pulsating Bollywood tunes! Festivals & Awards
AFI Dallas St. Louis International Film Festival London South Asian Film Festival 11th Mumbai International Film Festival Asian Festival of First Films (Best Screenplay Nominee)
Director: Mehul Shah
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Mehul Shah studied film at Southern Methodist University, with a major in Cinema. His first feature film Diwali, dealt with the struggle of three Indian children growing up in the United States. The film sold to Netflix and Blockbuster immediately, a huge feat for a budding young writer/director. He then went on to write and direct Bollywood Beats. Mehul owns and runs his own film production company, Kinetik Films LLC in Dallas.
May 24
Cinemax
8.30 pm
Girl Shorts Fun, Fights and Fantasy rule these eight trans-continental shorts! ENJOY! 2011 Narrative Short
James Dean Director:
Lucy Asten Elliott
8 min Scotland English
Asian Premiere
2011 Experimental Short
A family tries its best to get out of the driveway, but one of their daughters has decided it’s finally time to bring out the ‘real’ her.
Lesbian Hand Gestures
Director:
Coral Short
2.53 min Germany No dialogues Indian Premiere
2011 Narrative Short
Carefully crafted floating hands in space create high-tech fantasy.
Cyclicity Director:
Jason Knade
11 min USA English
Asian Premiere
Two girls meet at an amusement park and ride the Ferris wheel. As the ride commences, so begins the tale of their relationship.
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2011 Narrative Short
Silences (Silencios) Director:
Javier Sanz
5.04 min Spain No dialogues Asian Premiere
2010 Narrative Short
The worst of a quarrel is the silence that comes after. A silence floods everything.
Ms. Thing Director:
Karen X. Tulchinsky
7 min Canada English
Indian Premiere
2010 Narrative Short
An emotionally volatile urban lesbian is looking for love in all the wrong places until she finds it in an unusual package.
Slashed Director:
Rebecca Thomson
11 min Australia English
Asian Premiere
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Renata, a medical receptionist and Star Police TV show enthusiast, writes an alternative ending to a dramatic showdown between tired space cop, Draker and his nemesis Thrax. But a real life showdown ensues when she catches Frieda, a dubious patient in the doctor’s surgery. Do Renata and Frieda have more in common than they realise? Worlds will collide when Renata and Frieda’s erotic fantasies cross the digital frontier.
2011 Narrative Short
Through The Window (Me’ever La’chalon) Director: Chen Shumowitz
12 min Israel Hebrew with EST In Competition
2011 Narrative Short
Yoni and Shira are seen kissing through the window of the family home, by Yoni’s mother. Yoni, who is deep in the closet, is torn between her great love and her family, when only a window separates the two.
Nice Shirt Director: Erik Gernand
5 min USA English Asian Premiere In Competition
The local t-shirt company gets a run for its money when the ex-lovers’ spat escalates into a war of words, literally. But, who will have the final say?
Followed by feature The OWLs (see next page)
Kashish 2012
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The OWLs 2010 Narrative Feature 66 min USA English
Indian Premiere Film Courtesy: The Film Collaborative
A funny, mysterious and generational anthem, THE OWLS is an experimental thriller/ film noir about four “Older-Wiser-Lesbians” who accidentally kill a young lesbian and hide the body, without reporting it to the authorities. Their guilt and long-kept, dark secret comes back to haunt them, as an unexpected stranger shows up in their lives, bringing tension and discord. Little do they know that this mysterious stranger has a plan which includes all four of them. Festivals & Awards Berlinale 2010 - WORLD PREMIERE OutView: Athens International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Pink Apple Film Festival Zurich Inside Out: Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival Philadelphia QFest Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival Queer Lisboa | Lisbon Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival ImageOut: Rochester LGBT Film and Video Festival Out in Africa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Palm Springs International Melbourne Queer Film Festival
Director: Cheryl Dunye
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Writer / Director / Producer Cheryl Dunye, a native of Liberia, holds an MFA from Rutgers University. Her debut film, The Watermelon Woman, was the first African-American lesbian feature film and was awarded the Teddy at the Berlin International Film Festival. Her second feature, HBO Films’ Stranger Inside, garnered her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Director in 2002. Her third film, Miramax’s My Baby’s Daddy, was a box office success. Her latest film Mommy Is Coming had its world premiered at Berlinale this year.
Cinemax
May 24 11.00 pm
August 2011 Narrative Feature 100 min USA English
Indian Premiere In Competition Film Courtesy: The Film Collaborative
An expansion of the award-winning short film Postmortem, August tells the story of two former lovers, Troy and Jonathan, who reunite after a long ago painful breakup. After spending several years in Spain, Troy returns to Los Angeles and decides to call Jonathan and meet for coffee. A seemingly innocent rendezvous turns flirtatious as they are intensely swept away by each other’s presence and memories of the past. Only this time it’s not that simple as Jonathan has a new beau, Raul, and is trying to make the right decision a second time around. Festivals & Awards 2011 Seattle International Film Festival (World Premiere), Frameline 35 San Francisco, 2011 Vancouver Queer Film Festival, 2011 Palm Springs International Film Festival, 2012 Melbourne LGBT Film Festival, 2012 Cleveland International Film Festival, 2012 Torino GLBT Film Festival, 2012
Director:
Eldar Rapaport
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Eldar Rapaport moved to the US in 1991 to attend Emerson College in Boston. In 1997, he joined the new media world, producing websites, DVDs and other multimedia projects for a variety of worldwide clientele. In the Spring of 2001 he started Film Production studies at NYU, and a year later he started directing his short films. August is his feature film directorial debut. He currently divides his time between LA and Tel Aviv, Israel. Preceded by:
Triple Standard
Repeat Screening Find details on Page No. 38 under Unfair Games
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May 25 10.00 am
Cinemax
Crossed Paths Sometime your desires make you cross paths with someone who will turn the course of your life forever. Will you surrender or run away? What if there is no U-turn? These five dark shorts will surely shake you off from your last night’s slumber. Bet there’s no better way to start your day! 2011 Narrative Short
The Wait Director: Mary Guzmán
9 min USA English
Asian Premiere
2011 Narrative Short
Unknown to each other but in love with the same woman, Kimberly and Petra wait for paramedic help to arrive.
Your Warmth (Chom Gufcha) Director: Zvi Landsman
13.39 min Israel Hebrew with EST Asian Premiere In Competition
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Jonathan’s thirst for love brings him to the park for the first time. He just wants to be held. Will the park offer him that? And, what will it take in return?
2010 Narrative Short
More Or Less (Mais Ou Menos) Director: Alexander Antunes Siqueira
14 min Brazil Portuguese with EST Asian Premiere
2011 Narrative Short
Young Ivo is constantly bullied by Sandro. Their troubled relationship seems irreconcilable until an unexpected encounter changes everything.
Boxes (Kufasot) Directors: Doron Alon, Alex Korin
21 min Israel Hebrew with EST Asian Premiere In Competition
2011 Narrative Short
A brother and sister return to the Kibbutz where they grew up in order to bury their aunt - the last remaining member of the family there. Post funeral, they set to blackmail the Kibbutz’s secretary, a closeted gay man, in an attempt to receive money that they think was taken from their family by the Kibbutz. But, to what results?
Regrets Director: Rebecca Thomson
11 min USA English
International Premiere
Hung over and unable to remember the night before, Neal wakes up in a stranger’s bed. When he begins to snoop, he realizes just how strange this stranger is.
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May 25 11.15 am
Cinemax
Filmmaker In Focus
Long-Term Relationship 2006 Narrative Feature 97 min USA English Indian Premiere Film Courtesy: Guest House Films
‘Been there, done that’ Glenn has finally found his soul mate – a cute Southern boy named Adam through a personal ad. From the moment they met, it was instant attraction. Now, Glenn is in love for the first time, and it feels great. But their seemingly romantic relationship has a few problems. Are these problems big enough to be deal-breakers, or can their ‘LTR’ survive? Some friends encourage Glenn to hold on while others advice him to move on. Ultimately, only Glenn and Adam can decide what it takes to sustain a long-term relationship in this classic romantic comedy that appeals to both gay and non-gay audiences alike. Festivals & Awards NewFest: The 18th New York LGBT Film Festival, 2006 OutFlix Memphis, 2006 – Best Feature (Jury Prize) Rhode Island International Film Festival, 2006 OUT TAKES Dallas Film Festival, 2006 (Opening Night Feature) Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival, 2006 – 3rd place Audience Award – Best Feature, 2nd place Best Actor Award (Matthew Montgomery) Verzaubert 16th International Queer Film Festival (Germany), 2006 TLVFEST: the Annual GLBT Film Festival, Tel Aviv, 2007
Director: Rob Williams
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Director’s Statement: “Gay film audiences are very demanding yet also extremely appreciative of movies that reflect the struggles they face every day. With Long-Term Relationship, we aim to create an intelligent film about real relationship issues that manages to be both very romantic and extremely funny. I believe the audience will be able to identify with the characters and their desire to sustain a long-term relationship.”
Cinemax
May 25 1.30 pm
Is It Just Me? 2010 Narrative Feature 93 min USA English with EST Asian Premiere Film Courtesy: TLA Releasing
A refreshingly witty take on one gay boy’s search for Mr. Right! Blaine, a newspaper columnist doesn’t approve of one-nighters, but hides in his room and searches online chat rooms for a kindred soul. During one such chat session, Blaine stumbles upon what might be his perfect match - Xander, a charming guy. Soon Blain discovers he’s been chatting with his new online boyfriend under his hunky roomie Cameron’s profile. Xander promptly asks for a coffee date. Blaine persuades Cameron to pose as him during the date until he can win over Xander with his wit and charm. It’s Blaine’s brain versus Cameron’s brawn as love oscillates within this threesome. Festivals & Awards Pittsburgh International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2010 Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival, 2010 Detroit Independent Film Festival, 2010 (Winner: Best Picture) Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, 2010 (Winner: Rainbow Award) Frameline San Francisco, 2010 Kansas City Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2010 Austin Gay & Lesbian Int’l Film Festival, 2010 Tampa International Gay Lesbian Film Festival, 2010 ImageOut Rochester, 2010
Director: J.C. Calciano
A graduate of New York University film school, Writer/ Director JC Calciano started his career producing and directing music videos. Armed with production experience he moved to join Cruise/Wagner Productions as Head of Production and as Associate Producer on the film, Mission: Impossible. He went on to produce many independent films and TV series. The romantic comedy, Is It Just Me? was his first feature film as producer, writer and director. His second feature film eCUPID also received wide acclaim at queer film-festivals. Calciano runs Cinema175, a production company with his team mate Mathew Solari.
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May 25 3.15 pm
Cinemax
Looking For Gay Bollywood 2012 Documentary Feature 52 min France French, English with EST World Premiere In Competition
Director: Nasha Gagnebin
A pink journey through Indian cinema! The documentary follows Bollywood professionals trying to understand the difficulty of portraying homosexuality openly on the screen and deals with themes such as censorship, freedom of expression and the social milieu through movies. Writer / Cinematographer / Director Nasha Gagnebin received his MA degree in History and Aesthetics of Cinema & Political Science from the University of Lausanne (UNIL) in 2006 followed by an MFA in Film Directing from the International Film School of Paris (EICAR) in 2008. After participating in the very first year of KASHISH with a short film 14H05, this year Nasha returns with a feature length documentary, which he shot in Mumbai.
Preceded by: 2011 Narrative Short
Present Perfect Director: Anusorn Soisa-ngim
29 min Thailand Thai with EST World Premiere
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Can a past become present? Nursing his recent breakup with his boy friend, Toey escapes from Bangkok to the big mountain Khaoyai where he meets Oat. Oat falls in love with Toey, but the problem is he will be getting married soon. This film is also screening at Alliance Franรงaise on May 25, 6.30 pm
Cinemax
May 25 5.00 pm
Urban Longings In today’s urban-scape, time and space are always at a premium, and to top this quandary, people are often never sure what they are looking for. Only a few lucky ones are destined to meet their other half! Seven tales of desires and dilemmas from seven countries! 2011 Narrative Short
Along The Road (Längs Vägen) Directors: Jerry Carlsson, Anette Gunnarsson
8 min Sweden Swedish with EST Asian Premiere In Competition 2011 Narrative Short
Two truck drivers have a secret relationship. They meet up at a rest area along the road, but both of them are longing for something more. They struggle to keep their relationship invisible to others, but can they keep it from falling apart?
Green Line Director: Germain Collinge Ménard
4.42 min Canada No Dialogues Asian Premiere In Competition
In the Montreal metro, two young men exchange furtive glances. They chase and hide from each other’s gaze until, simply through glances; they converse and connect.
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2011 Narrative Short
Wild Imaginings Director: Daniel Monks
10 min Australia English
In Competition
2011 Narrative Short
A young man fantasizes about a beautiful girl, but soon his thoughts stray, and he is forced to come face to face with his greatest fear… and himself.
The Lesson Directors: Paul Metz, David Chester
14.58 min Japan English with EST Indian Premiere In Competition
2011 Narrative Short
When an English-challenged Japanese businessman seeks guidance about affairs of the heart, his romantically jaded tutor must teach him the words she never learned to say herself. She now realizes that words do have the power to change the course of a person’s life.
Fuckbuddies Director: Juanma Carrillo
6 min Spain Spanish with EST Asian Premiere In Competition
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On the outskirts of a city, two office-goers meet during lunchtime to have a quickie in the car. But in their haste to finish, they stumble upon each others’ secrets, only to realise that both are loners.
2010 Narrative Short
K@Biria Director: Sigfrido Giammona
17 min Italy Italian with EST Indian Premiere
2011 Narrative Short
Giovanni is an affluent businessman, unable to accept the homosexuality of his son Francesco, an emerging actor, who lives in another city. Their lives exist between silences and misunderstandings, till a strange twist of fate forces them to look within and reflect upon each other.
Half Director:
Alex Bohs
5.32 min USA English Indian Premiere In Competition
A chance encounter leaves two unsuspecting individuals to wonder if in fact one’s “other half” truly does exist and if so, how many chances does one get to meet the ‘other half’?
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May 25 6.15 pm
Cinemax
We The Outsiders... (Aamhi Ka Tisre...) 2011 Narrative Feature 109 min India Marathi with EST
World Premiere In Competition
Director: Ramesh Laxman More
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Inspired by the life of India’s most well-known transgender person Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, the film is a poignant tale of the stigma and discrimination faced by transgenders among their families and in society; and how with the help of a support structure, they can be empowered too. Bablu, an adolescent, feels he is a woman trapped in a man`s body. And with this, begins his painful journey. Abandoned by his family and the society, Bablu has nobody to turn to, except a community of eunuchs. He takes refuge in their world – a different world with its own system and traditions. Here he finds love, courage and inspiration from Anu, an outspoken transgender activist. Anu and her followers challenge the society and the system to seek recognition and respect for their existence within the social mainstream. Featuring a cast from Marathi films and theatre, including well-known Marathi actor Milind Gawli, We The Outsiders... is a realistic portrayal of the third gender.
National Award winner Ramesh Laxman More did his MA in Marathi literature and went on to write & direct 41 one-act plays. His play, Aamcha Akashach Wegla (2001), the first play based on voluntary retirement scheme won 22 awards including the Maharashtra State award. He has written and directed 11 Marathi films. His film Champions (2010), based on the child labour problem won the National Award for the ‘Best Film on Social issues’. Another film Mahasatta (2008) was selected in the Indian Panorama – Competition section. His other films are Akalpit, Salam the Salute (2004), Olakh (2005), Savitabano (2006), Mazi Shala, Pahile Paul, Ude ga Ambabai(2007), Swatantryachi Aishi Taishi (2009).
Centrepiece Film
Cinemax
May 25 8.30 pm
Gigola 2010 Narrative Feature 102 min France French with EST Indian Premiere Film Courtesy: Wide Management
Director: Laure Charpentier
Set in 1960’s underbelly of gay Paris, Gigola is a story of a mercurial woman who abandons herself to the sensual world of Sapphic desire. After her lover’s suicide, an emotionally aloof Georgina butches up as Geroge aka Gigola - a female gigolo, in the notorious nocturnal life of Place Pigalle. Festivals & Awards Seville Festival de Cine Europeo, 2010 (‘First Film First’ award) 25th London Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2011 12th Annual Brisbane Queer Film Festival, 2011 27th Annual Boston LGBT Film Festival, 2011 MIX Copenhagen, 2011
Writer / Director Laure Charpentier has already published more than 15 novels including Gigola in 1972 and its sequel Père, Impair et Passe in 1998. She has also published many articles in women’s magazines. She recently wrote a gay theatre comedy La Parenthèse that played in Paris at the Daunou theatre for two years. Gigola is her debut film as director.
Preceded by: 2011 Narrative Short
Ketheron’s Bucket-Mending & Hymen Emporium Director: Anton H. Gill
13 min USA English Asian Premiere
A hilarious musical about a turn of the century charlatan Professor Ketherton, who claims to make every wedding night virginal.
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May 25 11.00 pm
Cinemax
Eating Out: Drama Camp 2011 Narrative Feature 90 min USA English Indian Premiere Film Courtesy: Ariztical Entertainment
Zack and Casey’s fragile relationship runs into trouble when they meet gorgeous Benji at the summer drama camp. Soon, Benji and Zack are paired up to perform as the lead pair in ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. Casey’s trusted friend Penny takes matters into her own hands by setting a poison oak trap for Benji so that Casey can step in as Benji’s understudy. But do things ever go as planned? Festivals & Awards Q Fest Philadelphia, 2011 (Audience Award Best Feature - Comedy) OUTFEST Los Angeles, 2011 Reel Pride Film Festival, 2011 Outflix International LGBTQ Film Festival, 2011
Director: Q. Allan Brocka
Writer / Director / Producer, Q. Allan Brocka is of Filipino heritage, currently based in West Hollywood, California. He is the creator of the award-winning Eating Out series and also the animation series Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple In All the World, an episode of which is also screening at KASHISH 2012.
Preceded by: 2011 Narrative Short
The Rescue Director: Philippe Gosselin
18 min USA English Indian Premiere
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A hilarious tongue-firmly-in-cheek parody about Miguel’s search for love.
Cinemax
May 26 10.00 am
Tales Of The Waria 2011 Documentary Feature 56 min USA Indonesian with EST Asian Premiere In Competition
In Indonesia, lives a community of transgender individuals known as Warias, biological men who live openly as women. The film follows four characters from this little-known community as they search for love and try to forge meaningful human connections, despite whatever obstacles or heartache may lie in their path. At times comical and at times heartbreaking, the film uncovers a world that not only defies our expectations of gender and Islam, but also reveals our endless capacity as human beings to search for love. It also gives the audiences a new glimpse into transgender life - one that foregoes the usual focus on sex change operations, prostitution, and estrangement. The journey of Warias is a universal journey - one that is both beautiful and inspiring. Festivals & Awards 29th SF International Asian American Film Festival, 2011 (Audience Choice Award) Frameline 35: San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, 2011 Outfest Film Festival, Los Angeles, 2011 Asian American International Film Festival, New York, 2011 (Audience Choice Award) 12th San Diego Asian Film Festival, 2011 (Best Documentary Feature) Barcelona International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2011 (Audience Choice Award)
Director: Kathy Huang
Director / Producer / Cinematographer Kathy Huang first developed a passion for documentary filmmaking in the dusty fields of South Texas. Inspired by her experiences working with at-risk youth as a high school teacher, she produced Scribble’s Creations (2004), a portrait of a teenager coming of age along the US-Mexico border. Her subsequent works have continued to explore underrepresented communities confronting unique challenges. Tales of the Waria is her debut feature documentary.
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May 26 11.15 am
Cinemax
Queens! Destiny Of Dance 2011 Narrative Feature 112 min USA Hindi with EST
A Bollywood movie, which portrays Hijras in a different light, as a community with tradition, rituals and mores. The story is told through the eyes of a young Hijra named Mukta - who is beautiful, the best dancer in the community, a natural leader whom all the other ‘girls’ look up to and even the Guru Amma, head of their community, sees as her heir! All this changes as Nandini, a beautiful woman and a brilliant dancer mysteriously lands up in their guarded world. No one knows why she has come there and who she is? When Guru Amma too starts doting on Nandini, jealousies flare up between Mukta and Nandini, leading to chilling consequences. Mukta has to pay a price that is both tough and terrifying! Starring Seema Biswas in a stellar role of the Guru Amma, this film aims to reveal a journey of life that is seldom understood. Festivals & Awards 42nd Goa International Film Festival, 2011 (Film Market) 4th Jaipur International Film Festival, 2012 London Indian Film Festival, 2012
Director: David Atkins
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David Atkins is Kolkata-based independent film, TV and Theatre professional. He has written and directed many plays for theatre and also scripts for films and TV series. Queens! Destiny Of Dance is his debut feature as a director.
Filmmaker In Focus
May 26
Cinemax
1.30 pm
Role/Play 2010 Narrative Feature 85 min USA English
Asian Premiere Film Courtesy: Guest House Films
When hunky soap opera star Graham Windsor is outed as the result of a gay-sex-tape scandal, he seeks refuge at an exclusive Palm Springs resort. But, quiet anonymity eludes him when handsome marriage-equality activist Trey Reed checks in to escape the fallout from his own bitter divorce. As an undeniable passion begins to sizzle between Graham and Trey, they force each other to confront their professional downfalls – and the firestorm each has created in the gay press. Festivals & Awards Out On Film, Atlanta, 2010 (Closing Film) OUTFEST, Los Angeles, 2010 QFest Philadelphia, 2010 (Centerpiece Screening) Cinema Diverse, Palm Springs, 2010 (Closing Film) Rhode Island International Film Festival, 2010 (RIIFF Side Bar Screening) 15th Annual North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2010 Reeling Film Festival, Chicago, 2010 Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2010
Director: Rob Williams
Trivia: Openly gay actors Matthew Montgomery and Steve Callahan who play the hot gay couple in Role/Play are a gay couple in real life too. The film marks the first time they have starred opposite each other in lead roles. “In my mind, there were no actors more perfectly suited to play these roles than Matthew and Steve. Not only do they each have a track record of putting out quality performances time and time again, but their off-screen chemistry will certainly translate into on-screen fireworks.” - Rob Williams
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May 26 3.15 pm
Cinemax
My Last Round (Mi Último Round) 2011 Narrative Feature 87 min Chile, Argentina Spanish with EST Asian Premiere In Competition Film Courtesy: m-appeal
Every chance is worth fighting for! Set in a machismo-centric town of Southern Chile where homosexuality is taboo, the film follows the love story between Hugo, a young kitchen hand and Octavio, a middle-aged local boxing champion. When Octavio is advised never to box again for risk of permanent brain damage, the couple moves to the capital Santiago, hoping to live their love. But nothing turns out as planned: the romantic advances from his new boss’s daughter threaten to unravel Hugo’s relationship with Octavio, while also serving as the catalyst to drive Octavio back into the ring for one last fight. My Last Round is an astounding, heartfelt story from Latin America, a studied meditation on a working class relationship between two men. Festivals & Awards Valdivia IFF, 2010 (World Premiere) (Cinema City Award) Tribeca IFF 2011, (US Premiere) Queer Lisboa FF 2011, (Best Actor (Roberto Farias) Barcelona LGBT IFF, 2011 (Diversity Award for the Best Film) LesGaiCineMad IFF, 2011 (Best Actors - Roberto Farías, Héctor Morales) Zingeoak FF, 2012 (Best Feature) 22nd Melbourne Queer Film Festival, 2012 19th Out In Africa - South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2012
Director: Julio Jorquera Arriagada
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Writer/ Editor/ Director Julio Jorquera studied journalism and film at Universidad ARCIS, where he made two 16mm shorts: El Día and Gemidos y Silencios. Later, he worked as an assistant director and producer. My Last Round is his debut feature film.
May 26
Cinemax
5.00 pm
Best Of Iris The Iris Prize - Cardiff’s International gay and lesbian short film prize is the world’s highest cash award amounting to GBP 25,000, facilitating the winner to make a new film. KASHISH has been partnering with Iris Prize, nominating an Indian film from KASHISH for the competition there. This year, for the first time we present a package of four award winning films from Iris Prize 2011. 2011 Narrative Short
The Red Bike Director: Andrew Steggall
12 min UK English Mikey can’t ride. According to his mother, he can’t balance properly. But when he overhears Aiden, saying he is saving up for a bike, Mikey decides to rescue an old frame and present the finished, red bike to him as a gift. 2010 Narrative Short
Play Name Director: Dave Snyder
12 min Thailand, Usa English The hopes and fears of two young men, a Thai college student and an American hedge fund manager, are exposed during a steamy night in Bangkok.
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2011 Documentary Short
Hold On Tight Director: Anna Rogers
13 min Ireland English Holding hands or kissing in public isn’t for everyone. When it comes to same-sex relationships, showing your love outside of the home is sometimes a complicated personal choice. This documentary moves between the public and private spaces in which lesbian and gay couples live, and explores small gestures of human connectedness. 2011 Narrative Short 17 min
I Don’t Want To Go Back Alone (Eu Nao Quero Voltar Sozinho)
Director: Daniel Ribeiro
Brazil Portuguese with EST
The arrival of a new student in school changes Leonardo’s life. This 15 yearold blind teenager has to deal with the jealousy of his friend Giovana while figuring out the new feelings he is having towards his new friend, Gabriel.
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Cinemax
May 26 6.15 pm
The Love Patient 2011 Narrative Feature 95 min USA English
International Premiere In Competition
How far would you go to win back the love of your life? Perhaps send flowers, write poetry or even serenade that man of your dreams until he can take it no more? Paul, a hot but self-centered hunk and ad executive has other, more extreme ideas when sensitive hunk Brad drops him and begins dating another man. Not used to losing, and determined to regain his love, Paul decides to pretend to have a life-threatening illness in what he sees as a fool-proof method in ensuring Brad’s return. But will the tangled web he weaves, get him in hot water rather than in to the arms of his hot man? Festivals & Awards QFest Philadelphia, 2011 (World Premiere) Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2011 Reeling 30, Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival, 2011 Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival, 2011 Out In the Desert, Tucson’s Int’l LGBT Film Festival, 2012 (Winner- Best Gay Feature)
Director: Michael Simon
Michael Simon is an award winning Writer/ Director residing in Los Angeles. Michael honed his craft on short films, most notably Gay Zombie, which screened in 100 festivals worldwide and was bought by the LOGO Network. The Love Patient is his debut feature and recently won Best Feature Comedy/ Romance in the 2011/12 TLA Gaybies – quite an honour! He has just completed the adaptation of the novel Condor One which tells the fictional tale of the first out gay President, and is currently seeking investors. This screening is preceded by two musical shorts.
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Preceded by: 2011 Musical Short
Handyman Director: Romney Jones
3.38 min Australia Italian with EST Asian Premiere
2010 Musical Short
A musical about a poly-amorous housewife who, besides her numerous affairs, is withholding yet another secret from her husband. Sex and the City meets Rocky Horror Picture Show in a Yoga Boogie Class!
Slut - The Musical Director: Tonnette Stanford
16 min Australia English with EST Murray is in love with Barry. However, to remain popular among peers, he keeps their love a secret. Soon he has to choose between conformity and his true self. An outrageous 80’s musical comedy filled with glamour, glitter and fun! These musicals are also screening at Alliance Française on May 25, 5.00 pm
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Centrepiece Film
May 26
Cinemax
8.30 pm
Men To Kiss (Männer Zum Knutschen) 2012 Narrative Feature 83 min Germany German with EST In Competition
A tale of chaotic relationship of the unequal couple of Ernst and Tobias. Though opposites attract, respectable banker Ernst is often unsure, whether bubbly and always cheerful Tobias takes their relationship as seriously as he does. Soon their relationship is put to a test by the sudden visit of Ernst’s eccentric female friend, Uta. She schemes to drive a wedge between the pair, forcing Tobias to rise to the challenge, with a little help from his friends to checkmate this unwelcome guest. An upbeat sitcom with a fun ensemble cast and vibrant images of gay Berlin make it a memorable tale of love, friendship and loyalty. It’s a time to laugh, cry and fall in love. Festivals & Awards Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival, Sydney, 2011 Bangalore Queer Film Festival, 2012 (Best Director and Special Mention – Best Film) Freiburg 28th International Gay Film Festival, Germany, 2012 Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2012 (Audience Favourite Best Feature Award) 28th Annual Boston LGBT Film Festival, 2012
Producer: Frank Christian Marx, Udo Lutz
Actor-duo Frank Christian Marx and Udo Lutz jointly founded Ente Kross Film, a Berlin-based film production company in 2010 to take up the cause of “queer thinking” and locate its cinematic content apart from usual coming-out stories. Men To Kiss marks their debut as producers. Frank has a Bollywood connection too-he has played as one of the hostages in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Don 2. This screening is preceded by short films package Hooked On You.
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Preceded by: Hooked On You If ‘true love’ means to be with your loved ones forever, don’t leave any trick in the book untried… hang in there by hook or crook! Five funny & naughty shorts dipped in the sweet smell of romance. 2011 Narrative Short
Sylvia’s Spell Director: Randy Caspersen
13 min USA English
International Premiere 2011 Narrative Short
Sylvia, an amateur witch in search of love, must undo a magical spell when it begins to have unexpected consequences on her best friend gay Adam.
Couples Therapy Director: Mike Rose
9 min USA English
Asian Premiere 2011 Narrative Short
Vince and Daniel attend couples therapy every week to deal with their funny and not-so-funny relationship issues.
Fortune Cookie Magic Tricks Director: Alex Chu
10.13 min USA English, Cantonese, Mandarin with EST
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A traditional Chinese father tries to `cure’ his son Justin’s homosexuality, only to be rebuffed by Justin’s boyfriend Chris. Events take an absurd and comical turn for the worse, awakening zombies, whom they must defeat by joining forces.
2011 Narrative Short
The Keys (Las Llaves) Director: Lucas Santa Ana
10 min Argentina Spanish with EST Asian Premiere In Competition 2012 Narrative Short
Separated a few months ago from Pedro, Matías invites Lucho to his house. But what seems to start perfectly, turns awry when Matías’ past resurfaces as ‘the key’ to the future!
No Clothes Director: Hugo Kenzo
10 min USA, Brazil Spanish with EST World Premiere In Competition
What begins as a romantic fling becomes a chase in the streets of New York, after Joseph, whom Alan has just met at a laundromat, leaves Alan with ‘no clothes’. Alan must find a way to get equal with him.
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May 26 11.00 pm
Cinemax
Queer Classics
Burnt Money (Plata Quemada) 2000 Narrative Feature 125 min Argentina, Spain, Uruguay Spanish with EST
Based on Ricardo Piglia’s best seller of the same name set in Argentina of 1965, this true story follows the riotous relationship between Nene and Angel, who became lovers and ultimately ruthless bank robbers in a notoriously famous footnote in the annals of Argentinean crime history. Nicknamed as ‘the twins’ because of their inseparable relationship, Nene and Angel along with Cuervo rob a bank, and flee from Argentina across the border to Uruguay, after a large-scale hold-up that turns bloody. Angel is hurt and they must lie low until he recovers. With the cops closing in, the two lovers must confront their demons to survive. Festivals & Awards 57 Mostra Internazionale d‘Arte Cinematografica di Venezia, 2000 25th Toronto International Film Festival, 2000 Berlin International Film Festival, 2001 Palm Springs International Film Festival, 2001 Frameline25 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, 2001 Pink Film Days Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Amsterdam, 2004
Director: Marcelo Piñeyro
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Marcelo Piñeyro is an Argentine award-winning Director/ Writer/ Producer, known for his highly acclaimed movies like -The Official Story (1985), Wild Tango (1992), Wild Horses (1995), Ashes from Paradise (1997), Burnt Money (2000), Kamchatka (2002) and The Method (2005). At Seattle International Film Festival 2001 he received the Emerging Masters Award, a prize that is given every year to the most promising film director worldwide. Burnt Money (Plata Quemada) was his fourth film and was chosen as one of the ten best movies of 2001, by “Los Angeles Times”.
May 27
Cinemax
10.00 am
Family Ties The four poignant tales in this package seems to be asking everyone that as a family or parent, what matters most – our children or their sexuality? 2011 Narrative Short
Coming Out (Komma Ut) Director: Jerry Carlsson
5 min Sweden Swedish with EST Asian Premiere
2010 Documentary Short
Joel has finally made up his mind, or so he thinks. Tonight he’s going to come out to his parents, but is it the right moment? How should he do it, and what should he say?
Mind Director: Emma Crimmings
26 min Australia English
Asian Premiere
An intimate captivating story of Australian-Chinese writer, Tom Cho who from an early age realised he was different and knew he didn’t match his mother’s expectations of a good daughter. Mind charts Tom’s escalating desire for identity transformation, without losing his personality.
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2011 Narrative Short
Deep End Director: Bretten Hannam
6 min Canada English
Asian Premiere
2011 Documentary Short
Young Dane discovers his brother is gay and struggles to accept it. The only options he has are – either to support his brother and become a social outcast, or turn his back on him to save his own reputation.
My Child Is Gay Director: Anubha Bhonsle
21 min India English, Hindi with EST
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Every child needs love and support, whether homosexual or not. My Child Is Gay talks to four mothers of queer children in four Indian metros who believe they have a direct stake in the legal proceedings of decriminalisation of homosexuality in India. The documentary also puts forth the trials and tribulations each parent went through when their child came up to them and said, “I am gay”. This is the first ever festival outing for this film made for CNN-IBN, which recently won the NT Awards 2012 for best documentary limited episodes.
Red Ribbon Package
May 27
Cinemax
11.15 am
Sponsored by DKT India
Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story 1997 Narrative Feature 95 min USA English Indian Premiere Film Courtesy: Ariztical Entertainment
Director: Steven H. Stern
The real-life story of Olympic diver Greg Louganis is chronicled in this made-for-television drama. Mario López stars as Louganis, an adopted child who went through a difficult adolescence, only to emerge as a world-class diver winning two gold medals in the 1988 Olympics, despite a diving injury. After the games ended though, Louganis was forced to face an even more challenging period and go public with his homosexuality and deal with his HIV-positive status. The film is based on the book of the same name cowritten by Greg Louganis and Eric Marcus that stayed on top of the New York Times Best Seller list for 5 weeks. Director/ Producer/ Writer Steven Hilliard Stern has made over 50 motion pictures with many Hollywood legends. Stars like Tom Hanks, Kim Basinger, and Keanu Reeves got their first lead roles from Steven Stern. His films have won awards at film festivals around the world.
Preceded by: 2011 Documentary Short
UB2 Director: Dan Goldes
5 min USA English Asian Premiere
UB2 is an acronym used on dating sites to ask “Are you safe?”, “Do you have HIV?” The film presents some strong voices of HIV+ men opposing its use.
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May 27 1.30 pm
Cinemax
Indian Masala Mix - 2 A mix of emotions and stories – KASHISH brings yet another edition of its popular package of short films by emerging Indian filmmakers. From its very first year, KASHISH scouted for Indian short filmmakers, who have brought gripping stories to life on screen in an appealing manner. Apart from showcasing those films at KASHISH, some are taken to queer film festivals around the globe as part of our illustrious KASHISH Shorts collection. This package of Indian Masala Mix showcases the work of emerging Indian indie filmmakers as well as a few student filmmakers from Srishti School of Art Design and Technology, Bengaluru, Mindscreen Film Institute, Chennai and Whistling Woods International, Mumbai. Watch these seven engaging shorts to feel the refreshing winds of change! 2012 Narrative Short
Logging Out Director: Nakshatra
7.34 min India English World Premiere
2010 Documentary Short
Welcome to the online world of veiled truth and fake identities! In the virtual world of desires, finding love is perhaps not very easy, a bitter truth that Aayush discovers. What is his option?
Between The Two Director: Tanvi Talwar
20 min India English, Tamil, Kannada with EST In Competition
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Charm. Grace. Poise. Do these words define or confine women? Three characters - a Hijra, a Female-to-Male transgender and a female student filmmaker meet as equals and discuss their views about what being a woman means to them, as they try to find an answer for a very simple, yet complicated question - “Are we born women or do we ‘become’ women?”
2011 Narrative Short
I AM (Ahm!) Director: Raj R Gupta
8.37 min India Hindi with EST In Competition
2012 Narrative Short
Set in Mumbai, the film tells the tale of a lonely gay guy haunted by a flurry of thoughts and memories. He is going through an identity crisis, but all this is about to change when a stranger comes by.
Relations Director: Suresh Shelar
19 min India Hindi with EST World Premiere In Competition
2011 Narrative Short
Fabric of relations is not woven by a mere sense of duty, but with love and care for each other. Story of three individuals entangled in a relationship over dreams, acceptance and guilt.
Khwaishqaein Director: Anil Lakhwani
10.30 min India Hindi with EST In Competition
A story about a special bond between two unique soul mates, struggling with the complexities of their lives. But still they have a ‘desire’ which itself is unique.
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2012 Narrative Short
The Night Is Young (Raat Baaki) Director:
Pradipta Ray
8 min India Hindi, English with EST World Premiere In Competition 2010 Narrative Short
On a balmy night in the city, three couples - one straight and two queer brave the odds to grab a few moments with their love. As their worlds collide, will luck favour them tonight? Raat Baaki - The night is young...
The After Party Director: R. Gautham
5.26 min India Tamil with EST After a sleep-out party with her friends, Priya suspects that one of them misbehaved with her. To prove her suspicions she even has physical evidence - a male underwear. With her friends still denying her accusations, Priya is taken aback by an unexpected revelation.
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Cinemax
May 27 3.15 pm
Family Khusreyan Di 2009 Narrative Feature 95 min India Punjabi with EST A blockbuster comedy that KASHISH has dug out from Punjabi mainstream cinema! Moti Dogar, the local Robin Hood of a village is shot dead while saving his village from being sold to the village headman. Subedaar Tota Singh, a retired army man manages to keep Moti’s death a secret. Before the headman’s goons can forcibly get the entire village vacated, Tota Singh finds Moti’s look-alike. The only hitch is that the look-alike is a Hijra. Will this Hijra be ‘man enough’ to save the villagers. The film ticks all the boxes for a B movie – in-your-face comedy, song-and-dance sequences, and even a laughter track. But, this rib-tickling camp movie is not to be missed because its heart is in the right place. For once, this is a film that doesn’t cry about how society treats Hijras, but where Hijras are needed by the society! Director: B. D. Sharma
Punjab-based Director B D Sharma aka Micky, teamed up with Producer/ Actor/ Performer Gurchet Chittarkar to make films to entertain as well as spread awareness about some serious issues prevailing in the society. The result is an array of films ranging from comedy to religious and social stories like Kalyug De Avtar Baba Balak Nath Ji (2008), Family 424 (2008), Family 425 (2009), Family 426 (2010), Full Nazare (2011), Bhootan Wala Thana (2011) and Family 427 (2012). Widely released in Home Entertainment sector, their films remain rooted to the ground and have the distinct flavour and liveliness of Punjab.
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May 27 5.00 pm
Cinemax
QTOONS Remember as a kid how you used to wait for Sunday mornings and your favourite cartoon show on TV. KASHISH tries to revive those sweet memories with a special package of nine animation films, arduously scouted from around the globe. These toons have a ‘pink’ heart that will tickle us! 2011
Bosco Director: Jason Brown
3 min UK No dialogues International Premiere
2011
A funny spoofy film about a lonely gay Orange looking for love. Can he find it in his locality?
The Girl Bunnies, Big Tree Director: Francoise Doherty
8.15 min Canada English Indian Premiere
Mimi accidentally slices through a really cute girl bunny’s tree. With the help of two hockey girls and a big deer, Mimi figures out her heart. 2010 3 min
White Paper (Kaghaz-E Sefid) Director: Seyed Mohsen Pourmohseni Shakib
Iran No dialogues Indian Premiere
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In a monochromatic world, six colored children are driven out by their families for being different.
2011 2.52 min
5 Reasons Why Coming Out Of Closet With Your Mom Was A Good (Bad) Idea (5 razones porque salir del closet con tu madre fue buena (mala) idea)
Eucador
Director: Santiago Rojas
Spanish with EST
Asian Premiere
Whether you are queer or non-queer, mothers all through the world are alike. Always fretting and fussing about you! 2011 6 min
In The Beginning (Au Commencement) Director: Laurent Leprince
Belgium French with EST Asian Premiere Two gay sperms were never meant to fertilise an egg. But, what if Life decides otherwise? An award-winning animation underscoring that boys will be boys! 2011 5 min Australia
The Confession Of Father John Thomas Directors: Elka Kerkhofs, Leigh Ryan
English
Asian Premiere
Being true to oneself is stronger than any dogma. During one of his ‘seemingly’ innocent confessionals, Father John Thomas is caught out by God who pushes him to reveal his true self.
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2012
Plug And Play (Prêt À L’emploi) Director: Sean Martin
3 min USA No dialogues International Premiere
2009 3.10 min Germany
2:30 in the morning. You want to go to bed. He wants to read on the internet. What to do? An animated peek into today’s cyber Gen Y relationships.
Bob Director: Jacob Frey, Harry Fast
English
A hamster is chasing his love all around the globe - will he get her? This is the first 3D animation short created by Harry Fast and Jacob Frey. Ever since 2009, Bob has been running in festivals all over the globe (almost 150 screenings now) and won several awards. Bob has also been to The Golden Elephant: International Children’s Film Festival India in Nov, 2011.
2007 22 min
Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple In All The World Director: Q. Allan Brocka
USA English
Indian Premiere This stop motion animation sitcom follows the stories of three gay couples - Rick & Steve, Chuck & Evan, and Dana & Kirsten as they live in the fictional ghetto of West Lahunga Beach. In this episode Save Our Seamen, the gang goes on a family cruise to bond. Onboard, they must deal with Rick’s exboyfriend Hunter, stowaway Condi, Mommy Boot Camp and get marooned on an iceberg.
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Closing Night Film
Cinemax
May 27 9.30 pm
Weekend 2011 Narrative Feature 97 min UK English with EST Indian Premiere Film Courtesy: The Film Collaborative
On a Friday night after hanging out with his straight mates, Russell - an introverted lifeguard - heads out to a nightclub, alone and on the pull. Just before leaving, he meets Glen an uninhibited art gallery employee. What’s expected to be just a one-night stand becomes something special. An extended morning-after sequence of existential repartee sparks the beginning of a poignant weekend romance that will resonate throughout the rest of their lives. Weekend is both an honest and unapologetic love story between two guys and a film about the universal struggle for an authentic life in all its forms. It is about the search for identity and the importance of making a passionate commitment to your life. Festivals & Awards 55th BFI London International Film Festival, 2011 SXSW, Austin, Texas, 2011 (Emerging Visions - Audience Award) Nashville Film Festival, 2011 (Grand Jury Prize- Best Film) INSIDE OUT Toronto LGBT Film Festival, 2011 BAMcinemaFEST, Brooklyn, NY, 2011 (Opening Night Selection) OUTFEST, 2011 (Grand Jury Prize- Best International Film) 2012 International Film Festival Rotterdam (Moviesquad Award)
Director: Andrew Haigh
Writer/ Director/ Editor/ Producer Andrew Haigh started as an assistant editor on films ranging from Ridley Scott’s Gladiator to Harmony Korine’s Mister Lonely. After directing some short films, he directed his first feature, Greek Pete, in 2009 which was a huge festival success. His award-winning second feature Weekend has been picked up by Sundance Selects.
Closing night sponsored by Heroes Project
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Alliance Franรงaise May 24-27
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Alliance Française
May 24
10.00 am
Voices For Change If nothing ever metamorphosizes, there’d be no butterflies. This thought truly seems to be echoing in the voices and actions of the pan Asian LGBT community. Two shorts from Philippines and Sri Lanka depict the efforts to fight for equality, safety and decriminalisation. 2010 Documentary Short
Courage Unfolds
33 min Philippines English
Asian Premiere
2011 Documentary Short
Stories from sixteen countries across Asia, where LGBTIQ people are contending with police harassment, religious homophobia, job discrimination, family and community violence. The film gives these problems a human face. The film is a collective effort by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and Lesbian Activism Project (LeAP! Inc.)
Repeal Sec. 365 A
7.10 min Sri Lanka Tamil, Sinhala with EST Indian Premiere
In Sri Lanka, homosexuality is illegal under a broad provision dealing with ‘gross indecency’. Section 365 A prohibits anyone, irrespective of gender, engaging in “gross indecency”, which is not explicitly defined. With India now having rejected the colonial anti-gay strictures, the Sri Lankan LGBT community is also stirring for a change. Made by Equal Ground team, this documentary voices how Sec. 365 A has affected the lives of the LGBT people in Colombo.
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May 24
11.30 am
Alliance Française William S Burroughs: A Man Within
2011 Documentary Feature 87 min USA English
Indian Premiere
A tender, vibrant portrait of the life and work of a Beat Generation icon, William S.Burroughs: A Man Within is an intimate documentary that breaks the surface of the troubled and brilliant world of one of the greatest authors of all time. Burroughs was one of the first writers to break the boundaries of queer culture in the 1950s along with his good friends Allen Ginsberg and Andy Warhol. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage of Burroughs, as well as exclusive interviews with colleagues and confidantes including John Waters, Patti Smith, Gus Van Sant and a former lover of Burroughs too. Yony worked with author James Grauerholz for over four years to find material for his dream project on the greatest literary outlaw of the 20th Century. James Grauerholz was Burroughs’ companion for the last twentyodd years of his life and is the literary executor of his estate.
Festivals & Awards Slamdance Film Festival, 2010 (World Premiere) Chicago International Movies & Musical Festival, 2010 (Opening Night) Seattle International Film Festival, 2010 Frameline 34, San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, 2010 Sydney Underground Film Festival, 2011 Revelation Perth International Film Festival, 2011
Director: Yony Leyser
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After being expelled from two film schools, Yony Leyser moved to Lawrence, Kansas and made his first feature film, William S. Burroughs: A Man Within. He also works as a curator, video artist and photographer, documenting people who are outside the mainstream of society. His work has been shown around the world. He currently lives in Berlin.
Alliance Française
May 24
1.30 pm
The Sisters (Die Schwestern) 2009 Documentary Feature 70 min Austria German, English, Spanish with EST Indian Premiere
Since their inception in 1979 to combat HIV and AIDS, the riotous Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have established missions all over the world, ministering to the masses with glitter, wit and charity. This documentary lifts the veil for an inside look at the order’s faith in safer sex, LGBT rights, and performance art. Festivals & Awards Pink Apple - Annual Swiss Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2010 image+nation, Montreal International LGBT Film Festival, 2010 Q! Film Festival, Indonesia, 2011 Out in the Desert, Tucson’s International LGBT Film Festival, 2012
Directors: Sigrid Smejkal, M. Hoschek
2011 Documentary Short 26 min
Sigrid Smejkal has been working as a TV journalist and received the Media Award of the Austrian Professors of Higher Education. Manfred Hoschek is the recipient of Romy07 the prestigious Austrian TV- ‘Oscar’ for his series, Chefs Around the World.
Preceded by: Nerve Director: Kim Munro
Australia English International Premiere In Competition
Would you have sex with a stranger? A film about intimacy and vulnerability.
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May 24 3.15 pm
Alliance Française
The String (Le Fil) 2009 Narrative Feature 93 min France, Belgium, Tunisia French, Arabic with EST Film Courtesy: Embassy of France, Institut Français
After living for years in France, Malik is back at the family home in Tunisia. He’s recovering from his father’s death and struggling to keep his homosexuality a secret from his domineering mother, Sara. She continues to invite eligible, young woman, while he gets his kicks cruising for trade. Even as Malik’s childhood anxieties start resurfacing, things perk up when he encounters Bilal, the handsome handyman who lives at his mother’s bourgeois estate. Malik is immediately smitten, but does Bilal feel the same way and can he trust his feelings? Examining the tensions between Frenchraised Arabs and their more conservative fellow countrymen, debutant director Mehdi Ben Attia creates an insightful and engaging portrait of gay life in Tunisia. Festivals & Awards Seattle International Film Festival, 2010 Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film & Video Festival, 2010 Frameline 34 - San Francisco Int’l LGBT Festival, 2010 (Audience Award - Best Film) Outfest, 2010. ImageOut Rochester, 2010. Philadelphia QFest, 2010
Director: Mehdi Ben Attia
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Writer/ Director Mehdi Ben Attia wrote several scripts for cinema and television, including, Loin and Impardonnables, by French director André Téchiné. Le Fil is his debut feature film. It was released in France in 2010 and won the Best Feature Audience Award at Frameline. He is currently in the process of post-production for his second film, Alter Ego.
Alliance Française
2011 Narrative Short
May 24 5.00 pm
Little Director: Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo
30 min Philippines Tagalog with EST All big things start out small. A little wish, to be blessed with a child, made by a childless couple in a province of the Philippines is granted and a hopeful love story begins to grow. This is the start of the sweet innocent life of José, affectionately called ‘Little’, because of his tiny manhood. ‘Little’ travels to the big bad city with his childhood crush, who never seems to understand him. A story about love, family and longing.
2010 Documentary Short
Shape Of The Shapeless Director: Jayan Cherian
30 min USA English The journey of Jon Cory, aka Premdas, aka Rose Wood, through various gender and social roles. By day, Jon Cory is a professional craftsperson, who runs a successful business in New York City. By night she is Premdas, a yogi and a prudent devotee of her Guru. Late nights she performs in various clubs around the city as a burlesque dancer under the name Rose Wood. Rose considers herself neither male nor female, and believes the body is just a costume on which gender could also be written and rewritten. The film explores the spiritual quest of a performer, a yogi, and an artisan who transgresses the boundaries of traditional notions of body, gender, creed, and sexuality.
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May 24 6.30 pm
Alliance Française
French Rendezvous
KASHISH, this year, has a French Date! A package of six short films portraying Contemporary French Queer Cinema – ranging from tender love stories to tongue-in-cheek humor to an action thriller. Few of these are made by firsttimer filmmakers, but their films do leave a long-lasting impression on viewers.
Girls Of Fire (Les Filles De Feu) An Other World (Un Autre Monde) Just For Sex (Plan Cul) Manhunt (Chasse À L’homme) La Derade The Incredible Adventures Of Fusion Man (Es Incroyables Aventures De Fusion Man) Find Details On Page No. 34
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Alliance Française
May 25
10.00 am
Yes, We Are 2011 Documentary Feature 69 min Poland, Germany Polish with EST Asian Premiere
Catholicism and Homophobia are the most common themes associated with Poland. If one talks about homophobia in Poland, it is usually about gay men. This film is the first documentary to focus exclusively on lesbians and women in Poland who don’t fit within the hetero-normative matrix. What are their strategies for surviving in a homophobic society? How do their everyday lives look? The analyses of the interviewees allow a deeper look into the political atmosphere and struggles within Poland’s fast changing society. This documentary reveals an often hidden subculture as it emerges to the surface. Festivals & Awards Crossing Europe Linz, Austria, 2011 Some Prefer Cake Lesbian Film Festival Bologna, Italy, 2011 Queer Film Fest Rostock, Germany, 2011 Feminist Film Festival Zagreb, Croatia, 2011 International Women’s Film Festival, Dortmund-Cologne, Germany, 2012 Pink Apple Lesbian & Gay Film Festival Zürich, Switzerland, 2012
Director: Magda Wystub
After working as a taxi driver, nude model, ice dealer and many other things, while being engaged in different emancipative struggles and movements, Magda Wystub studied sociology in Warsaw, Frankfurt/Main and Berlin. She currently lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Yes, We Are is her debut film.
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May 25
11.30 am
Alliance Française
Open 2010 Narrative Feature
88 min USA English
Asian Premiere
A queer road-movie-cum-transsexual romance. In his feature film debut, director Jake Yuzna spectacularly combines all kinds of gender crossing permutations. The first American film to ever win the Teddy jury prize, Open weaves together tales of a young hermaphrodite’s journey through the largest mall in America, a pandrogynous couple merging themselves into one entity through plastic surgery and the effects of hormone use on sex, love, and the new family structure; into a visually striking and emotionally tender tableau of humanity’s progress at the dawn of the new millennium. Festivals & Awards Berlin Film Festival, 2010 (Teddy Jury Prize) TLVFest: Tel Aviv, Israel, 2010 (Best Narrative Feature) Newfest, 2010 (Best Performance)
Director: Jake Yuzna
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Producer/ Director/ Writer Jake Yuzna earned a degree in fine art and filmmaking while curating an international film festival and teaching film, video, and new media courses. Jake held a variety of jobs ranging from head of new media for the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City to cameraman for pornographic videos, as well as working on films by directors including Robert Altman. Open marks his first feature length film.
Alliance Française
May 25 1.30 pm
Ballroom Rules 2012 Documentary Feature 76 min AUSTRALIA English with EST Asian Premiere In Competition
Driven by a dream of competing in a same-sex dance sport competition at the 2010 Gay Games in Germany, a passionate group of same-sex ballroom dancers in Melbourne must battle injury, personal drama and entrenched discrimination from the mainstream ballroom dancing community. Festivals & Awards Sydney Mardi Gras film festival, 2012 Melbourne Queer Film Festival, 2012 BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2012 Vancouver Queer Film Festival, 2012 Miami Queer Film Festival, 2012
Directors: Nickolas Bird Eleanor Sharpe
Producers / Directors Nickolas Bird and Eleanor Sharpe are graduates of AFTRS and have been working in the industry since 1996. In 2007, they co- directed the acclaimed WWII Australian TV documentary Vivian Bullwinkel: An Australian Heroine. Their short film Healing Waters was shown at KASHISH 2011.
Preceded by: 2011 Narrative Short
The Last Waltz Director: Nickolas Bird
21 min Australia English Asian Premiere
A young waltz dancer loses his one and only love to the Black Saturday bushfires, Australia’s worst bushfire disaster in history. He must find his inner strength to bid goodbye to his departed lover.
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May 25 3.15 pm
Alliance Française
Filmmaker In Focus
Make The Yuletide Gay 2009 Narrative Feature 89 min USA English
Christmas gets overly festive as out-and-proud Olaf “Gunn” Gunnunderson crawls back into the closet to survive the holidays with his parents. He keeps his cool as his parents try to set him up with his high school sweetheart, Abby. But when his boyfriend, Nathan surprises him with a visit, will Gunn come out before the truth does? This heartwarming film, that has been an evergreen festival favourite, also acknowledges what an intrinsic part families play in everyone’s lives. Festivals & Awards FilmOut San Diego, 2009 (Audience Award, Best Narrative Feature) Long Island Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2009 (Jury Award, Best Men’s Feature) QFest Philadelphia, 2009 (Festival Favorite) Seoul LGBT Film Festival, 2009 (Opening Night Film) Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2009 (Gala Night Film) Belgian Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Brussels, 2010 (Opening Night Film) Mardi Gras Film Festival, Sydney, Australia (Closing Film)
Director: Rob Williams
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Director’s Statement: “I love Christmas movies. Maybe it’s the inevitable happy endings, maybe it’s the sense of hope and wonder they provide, maybe it’s just blatant wish fulfillment of seeing loving families around the Christmas tree. I especially wanted to create a film which showed a coming-out process that wasn’t traumatic or violent, but encouraging and full of love and support.”
May 25
Alliance Française
2011 Documentary Short
5.00 pm
Austin Unbound Director: Eliza Greenwood, Sel Staley
43 min USA American Sign Language with EST Asian Premiere
Austin’s deafness may appear to be his disability, but that isn’t what makes him self-conscious. Burdened by female anatomy, Austin binds his chest every day. Loved ones recognize him as a community pioneer and strive to accept his male identity. A natural comedian and a romantic, Austin’s courageous journey is shared through personal reflections, inviting viewers into the operating room. Austin Unbound is the first documentary about an individual who is deaf and a transgender man, stays honest by not trying to represent every deaf or trans-person. The film has won acclaim at international film festivals and also being presented to student groups at colleges around the US and in academic sessions at conferences.
Preceded by: Handyman
Slut - The Musical
Find Details On Page No. 64
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May 25 6.30 pm
Alliance Française Longhorns
2011 Narrative Feature 90 min USA English with EST Asian Premiere Film Courtesy: TLA Releasing
Straight as an arrow Kevin enjoys bonding with his fellow mates; as it’s just about lending a helping hand to a buddy, right? But, when openly gay Cesar joins the frat house Kevin’s heart starts to flutter for him and he begins to see things a little queerly; setting off a chain of events where Kevin’s socalled ‘hetero identity’ is being challenged. Set in 1982 Texas, Longhorns is a funny, sexy comedy about being true to yourself. Festivals & Awards Frameline 35 San Francisco International LGBT Festival, 2011 (World Premiere) FilmOut, San Diego, 2011 (Best Soundtrack Award - HP Mendoza, Best Supporting Actor - Derek Villanueva) QFest, Philadelphia, 2011 (Centerpiece Screening) 16th Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2011 9th Annual Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2011 Roze Filmdagen- Amsterdam Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2012 Queer Screen Mardi Grass Film Festival, 2012
Director: David Lewis
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David Lewis is an award-winning filmmaker and journalist. His film career began in 2002 when he wrote and edited Under One Roof. Since then, he has written and directed three features: Rock Haven, Redwoods (winner of the prestigious Iris Prize) and his latest, Longhorns. He also wrote and produced the short film Can’t Buy Me Love, which won Audience Awards at several film festivals. His films have been distributed through TLA Releasing and have played at film festivals all over the world. He is in pre-production on his next comedy, tentatively titled One For The Ages.
Preceded by: 2011 Narrative Short
Present Perfect Director: Anusorn Soisa-ngim
29 min Thailand Thai with EST World Premiere
2010 Narrative Short
Can a past become present? Nursing a recent breakup with his boy friend, Toey escapes from Bangkok to the big mountain Khaoyai where he meets Oat. Oat falls in love with Toey, but the problem is he will be getting married soon.
Stay Director: Aaron Chan
8 min Canada English Eric and Sam are in a relationship for quite some time but Sam has never been able to stay over for a single night at Eric’s place as he is not out to his folks. One night when Eric asks him to stay back, Sam refuses. Will it be a goodbye forever?
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May 26
10.00 am
Alliance Française
Dakings (Jenter Med Baller) 2010 Documentary Feature 58 min Norway Norwegian with EST Asian Premiere
The first group of Norwegian drag kings may be able to open the way for a relatively new form of art in their country. The film follows six girls in the drag king group daKings from 2007 to 2009. This fly-on-the-wall documentary follows the girls during workshops, costume sewing, and performances – until disagreements on several layers bring the group to its downfall. An honest and almost cruel exposé shows a failure, but perhaps also a potential rebirth. In 2011, the film earned a nomination for the Norwegian Government’s Human Rights Award for Best Short Film. Festivals & Awards Norwegian Short Film Festival, Grimstad, 2010 Oslo Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Norway, 2010 Torino GLBT Film Festival, Italy, 2011 Frameline 35 San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, 2011 Mezipatra Queer Film Festival, Czech Republic, 2011 Mix Brazil Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2011 Florence Queer Festival, Italy, 2011
Director: Kenneth Elvebakk
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Kenneth Elvebakk studied at the Norwegian School of Management and Oslo Film and Television Academy, and has worked as a director, producer, writer, photographer and editor. Though known for his documentaries, he has also made several short films and television series. His work includes the award winning documentaries The Secret Club (2003) and 3269 Daisy (2007). He has also received the Norwegian television award ‘Gullruten’ for the TV series Hullabaloo (2006).
Alliance Française
May 26
11.30 am
Indian Masala Mix - 1 The films in this package reflect the diversity of stories, made by young Indian filmmakers, depicting the Indian queer experience – many of them are intrinsic to the queer community, but some are stories, that are a part of the larger mainstream; which is what this year’s theme is about – ‘for everyone’. 2011 Narrative Short
Anomaly (Pizhai) Director: L. Rajkumar
7.39 min India Tamil with EST World Premiere
2012 Narrative Short
What happens if the walls that are built to hide our secrets turn voyeuristic? Story of a man who conceals his inner feelings to lead a normal life, but, how long can his life be normal?
Love, Lust & Leela Director: Merina Diana Morris
35 min India English, Hindi with EST
A peep into the L scene in the bustling Indian metro - Bengaluru. Having spent enough time brooding over the end of a long relationship, Leela is ready to enter the dating scene again. She summons to her aid her best friend, Likita, who grudgingly invites over a few colorful girls for Leela to meet. Will Leela find a match among them?
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2011 Narrative Short
It Happens‌ (Aisa Hota Hai‌) Director: Aashish Dubey
11.03 min India Hindi, English with EST
2011 Narrative Short
Five people meet in mysterious circumstances. All of them are on the other side of the law. The situation is very volatile, so each of them has to think of strategies to survive the ordeal and outdo others.
Vanity Box Director: Diksha Grover
21.59 min India Hindi, English, Gujarati with EST
Indian Premiere
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At a beauty parlour, a 45-year-old woman gets ready for her 25th wedding anniversary. As the women indulge in beauty treatments, one unmasks her true character; the other coats hers with make-up. What really lies inside Vanity Box?
Alliance Française
May 26 1.30 pm
Let The Butterflies Fly (Chittegalu Haradali) 2012 Documentary Feature 74 min India Kannada, Tamil with EST World Premiere In Competition
Director: Gopal Menon
Shilpa, a young castrated Hijra in Bengaluru faced severe police torture and abuse from the medical establishment. They forcibly made her a ‘man’ by re-grafting a male organ onto her body. The film portrays the real life plight of Shilpa and interweaves the infamous case of Banashakari police violence where Hijras and human rights activists were subjected to illegal detention and custodial torture in October 2008. As Shipa continues her quest for love and acceptance, the film raises an important question about why Hijras are denied their fundamental right to live with dignity and how long will their sufferings continue?
Gopal Menon holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and has made documentaries on several critical issues. He is currently completing a film on Kashmir – which was started in 1998 and is working on a film about political prisoners in India. His major works include Naga Story: Other Side Of Silence, Papa 2, Resilient Rhythms and Hey Ram: Genocide in the Land of Gandhi.
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May 26 3.15 pm
Alliance Française
The One 2011 Narrative Feature 90 min USA English with EST International Premiere Film Courtesy: TLA Releasing
Daniel couldn’t have it better - great parents, a successful career as an investment banker and engaged to be married to the beautiful Jen. A perfect life... but there is this one temptation that may derail his hoped-for straightand-narrow life and that comes in the form of Tommy, a charming ex-college mate, now openly gay. A refreshingly funny urban take on coming out, as well as a belated coming-of-age tale, that sparkles with witty dialogue and believable characters. Festivals & Awards
Frameline 35 San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, 2011
Director: Caytha Jentis
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Writer/ Producer/ Director Caytha Jentis made her directorial debut with The One. She has written for multiple film projects. Her first feature length script And Then Came Love was sold to Warner Brothers. She is currently in post production of her follow-up feature Bad Parents, a black comedy based on her award winning play It’s All About the Kids.
Alliance Française
2010 Documentary Short 15.20 min
May 26 5.00 pm
My Identity (Meri Pehchaan) Directors: Julie Marie George, Abhijit Kondhalkar
India Hindi with EST An exploration of hope, pain and longing in the transgender and MSM community. Pahal Foundation has set up a beauty parlour that is unique in its scope - it is meant exclusively for transgenders and the MSM (men who have sex with men) community. The parlour is run by Simmy, a young transgender with a love for beauty treatments, housework and dance. Coupled with a drop-in centre that provides counseling, comfort and warmth to a community which is in desperate need of acceptance; this parlour becomes a comfort zone for expressing and exploring their identities. 2011 Documentary Short
Are We So Different (Amra Ki Etoi Bhinno) Director: Lok Prakash
36.39 min Bangladesh Bengali with EST In Competition
This documentary talks about a range of masculinities. How different people have unique experiences of coping and surviving in Bangladesh, often ruled by strict masculinist and patriarchal ideals. Whether it’s a rickshaw puller or a middle class married man, a gay couple or a Hijra – this film, told in their own words, unstintingly puts forth the stories of those who managed to challenge those structures and notions.
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May 26 6.30 pm
Alliance Française
Gigola
Preceded by: Ketheron’s Bucket-Mending & Hymen Emporium
Find Details On Page No. 55
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Allied Events Art Exhibition May 23-27 Art Corner, Foyer opposite Screen 1, Cinemax Versova
Panel Discussion May 24 5.00 pm Foyer opposite Screen 1, Cinemax Versova
Celebrating the lost art of Bollywood Billboards with a `queer twist’ Glamour, awe and glory – Bollywood billboards and hoardings were a part of the grandeur of the Indian silver screen. In all their multi-coloured kitschy hues, these hand painted colossal artworks gave the junta a sneak peek into the fabulous world of movies, and is to a large extent responsible for the larger-than life image of Hindi movies and its stars in every far flung corner of the country. As we celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema, it is time to paint an ode to the long lost artists and their artworks. Taking this tradition ahead, filmmaker, graphic designer and artist Pradipta Ray weaves stories of the portrayal of themes and characters in Bollywood films and adds his own ‘queer twist’. A set of four paintings depicting homoeroticism, same sex interactions and queer icons from Hindi films.
Playing Safe: Talking about Safe Sex, HIV/AIDS through popular media Almost three decades after the emergence of HIV/AIDS, a cure still eludes the world and safe sex remains the best weapon. Over the years, has the emphasis on safe sex been forgotten, especially in the queer community? What is the reaction by the younger generation about safe sex messages? Has there been adequate representation of safe sex practices and HIV/AIDS in popular media? The panel will also discuss whether the way the media speaks on HIV/AIDS affects perceptions and attitudes, besides spurring or complimenting activism. Moderated by Pallav Patankar, the panel comprises of healthcare professionals, queer activists and communication specialists. This event is sponsored by DKT India
Book Reading May 25 5.00 pm Foyer opposite Screen 1, Cinemax Versova
Writing Queer! Readings from Out! – a new anthology of LGBT stories from India Queer Ink, India’s first online bookstore for everything queer, is set to release a new anthology of diverse, contemporary LGBT/queer stories. Out! offers a glimpse beyond the closet doors — and into the lives and dreams of India’s most misunderstood minority. The soon-to-be-published anthology, edited by author Minal Hajratwala, promises stories that mirror lives of queer Indians today: poignant, gripping, and occasionally even hilarious. In an exclusive sneak peek for KASHISH, some of the emerging writers and master story tellers whose works feature in the anthology will read from the book followed by a discussion moderated by Queer Ink founder Shobhna S. Kumar.
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KASHISH Konversations May 26 3.15 pm Foyer opposite Screen 1, Cinemax Versova
Open House May 26 5.00 pm Foyer opposite Screen 1, Cinemax Versova
Panel Discussion May 27 5.00 pm Foyer opposite Screen 1, Cinemax Versova
Face-to-Face with Hollywood filmmaker Rob Williams Rob Williams is regarded as one of the out and prolific gay filmmakers in the US. He and his partner Rodney (a screenwriter and co-producer) have made evergreen festival hits dealing with the politics of human relationships, pepped up with an attractive and talented cast and interesting scripts. In a conversation with one of India’s leading film critics and film curators Meenakshi Shedde, Rob reflects on his films and how to make a queer movie on a low budget, get a good cast motivated and find distribution for it! A close and personal conversation with this year’s KASHISH ‘Filmmaker in Focus – Rob Williams’.
Dialogues with emerging filmmakers Since its debut in 2010, KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film fest has provided a platform to budding filmmakers who make films on queer themes with great resource crunch and against all odds. The festival provides a spring board to them to showcase their films on an international scale. For many filmmakers it is the only avenue to showcase their works to a larger mainstream audience. In an Open House moderated by Festival Director Sridhar Rangayan, a panel of young, emerging filmmakers from USA, France, Thailand, Australia and many cities in India, will speak about their joy, anxiety, passion and glory of taking that first step into filmdom.
The Pink Screen: Breaking the glass ceiling for queer portrayals in popular Indian cinema A Bollywood film with a gay kiss between two male actors won the National Award this year. However, sensitive and well etched queer characters are still rare in Indian cinema. Is there space for gay and lesbian portrayals in Indian cinema? Is it easier to write in a stereotype of a limp wristed comic character, than a sensitive gay/lesbian character in a film? Does the fear of the censor board necessitate rewrites to tone down the queer material? Do young mainstream filmmakers find it difficult to address gay / lesbian issues in their films? How do Bollywood producers, distributors, financiers, the ‘mainstream audience’ and the star system work in, enabling or otherwise, queer portrayals in Indian cinema? Moderated by noted film critic Rajeev Masand of ‘Masand Ki Pasand fame, the panel comprises of eminent filmmakers from Bollywood and independent cinema and actors. This event is sponsored by Nomura
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Festival Team Festival Directors Sridhar Rangayan Pallav Patankar Head – Media & PR Shibu Thomas
Films Preview Team Abha Talesara Arindam Ghatak Ashish Sawhny Baghirathi Raman Dr. Maninder S. Setia MJ Maddy Prashansa Gurang Thomas Joseph Urmi Jadhav Jury Coordinator Sonal Giani Technical Advisors Abhijeet Rao Sanjay Thakur Accounts Ramesh Jagtap Hitesh Patil Legal Advisor Usha Andevar
Festival Programmer Saagar Gupta Guest & Hospitality Coordinator Beena Noronha
Festival Catalogue Head of Content Saagar Gupta Editing Shibu Thomas Design & Layout Yogesh Jahagirdar Website Shibu Thomas (Editor) Suraj Chaurasiya (Design) Festival Tune & Graphics Raahil Kulshreshtha Festival Trailer Edit Tanay Pant Anurag Sinha Awards Design Azaad Bazaar T-Shirt Design D’Kloset
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Partners and Associates KASHISH is grateful to our corporate sponsors, businesses and organisations who, have supported to make this year’s festival happen. Corporates who have stood by us again this year - we are grateful for your continued patronage. To our new partners - welcome to the KASHISH family. Our heartfelt thanks to all of them.
Title Partner
Principal Partners
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Associate Partners
Venue Partners
Community Partners
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Industry Partners
Online Partners
Hospitality Partner
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Friends of KASHISH Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival this year turned to the social media phenomenon of crowd funding to raise finances. This is the first time in India that a film festival was attempting to raise funds through crowd funding, which was aimed at keeping the festival free for audiences. KASHISH thanks the following individuals for the overwhelming response to the initiative. Every contribution is greatly appreciated. Jayesh Desai Kshitij Bisen Himadri Roy Jay Shah Kapil Sharma Nitin Kale Paul Knox Prasad Priyesh Chaudhary Rajender Khatik Sandy Shiv Sahoo Well Wisher Well Wisher Yuvraaj Parasher Aditya Kini Irene J Nexica Ivan John Jonathan Lemieux Naveen TV Khurshed Vazifdar Pawan Dhall Souvik Ghosh Sumit Chandak Well Wisher Bharat Mayekar Natasha Rakesh Chandrashekar Shital K Well Wisher Well Wisher Abhishek Francis Young Harrish Nikki Pankaj Sapkal Sonal Giani
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List of Films Narrative Features August 45 Beginners 31 Bollywood Beats 40 Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story 71 Burnt Money (Plata Quemada) 68 Eating Out: Drama Camp 56 Family Khusreyan Di 75 Gigola 55, 100 Is It Just Me? 49 Long-Term Relationship 48 Longhorns 92 The Love Patient 63 Make the Yuletide Gay 90 Men To Kiss (Männer zum Knutschen) 65 My Last Round (Mi Último Round) 60 The One 98 Open 88 The Owls 44 Queens! Destiny Of Dance 58 Role/ Play 59 The String (Le Fil) 84 We the Outsiders… (Aamhi Ka Tisre…) 54 Weekend 79 Documentary Features Ballroom Rules 89 Let The Butterflies Fly (Chittegalu Haradali) 97 Looking for Gay Bollywood 50 36 My Dear Gay Teacher The Sisters (Die Schwestern) 83 Rites of Passage 37 Tales of the Waria 57 82 William S Burroughs: A Man Within Yes, We Are 87
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Documentary Shorts Are We So Different (Amra Ki Etoi Bhinno) 99 Austin Unbound 91 Between The Two 72
Chained! 33 Changing The Game 39 Courage Unfolds 81 daKings 94 Eat, Pray, and Supergays 36 Hold on Tight 62 Mind 69 My Identity (Meri Pehchaan) 99 My Child is Gay 70 Nerve 83 36 Project Bolo: Indian LGBT Movement Repeal Sec 365 A 81 The Rosa Song 33 Shape of the Shapeless 85 ub2 71 39 Y can’t I run? The Story of Santhi Soundarajan Narrative Shorts 5 Reasons Why Coming Out Of Closet With Your Mom Was A Good (Bad) Idea 77 The After Party 74 51 Along The Road (Längs Vägen) An Other World (Un Autre Monde) 34, 86 Anomaly (Pizhai) 95 The Ball 32 Bob 78 Bosco 76 Boxes (Kufasot) 47 Charlotte 37 Cold Star 33 Coming Out (Komma Ut) 69 77 The Confession of Father John Thomas Couples Therapy 66 Cyclicity 41 Deep End 70 Fuckbuddies 52 Fortune Cookie Magic Tricks 66 The Girls Bunnies. Big Tree 76 Girls of Fire (Les filles de feu) 34, 86 Green Line 51 Half 53 Handyman 64, 91 I Am (Ahm!) 73 I Don’t Want To Go Back Alone 62 In The Beginning (Au Commencement ) 77 The Incredible Adventures of Fusion Man (Es Incroyables Aventures De Fusion Man) 35, 86 It Happens… (Aisa Hota Hai…) 96
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James Dean 41 Just For Sex (Plan Cul) 34, 86 K @ biria 53 Ketheron’s Bucket-Mending & Hymen Emporium 55, 100 The Keys (Las Llaves) 67 Khwaishqaein 73 La Derade 35, 86 The Last Waltz 89 Lesbian Hand Gestures 41 The Lesson 52 Little 85 Logging Out 72 Love, Lust & Leela 95 Manhunt (Chasse à l’homme) 35, 86 More Or Less (Mais Ou Menos) 47 Ms. Thing 42 Nice Shirt 43 The Night is Young (Raat Baki) 74 No Clothes 67 Play Name 61 Plug And Play (Prêt à l’emploi) 78 Present Perfect 50, 93 The Red Bike 61 Regrets 47 Relations 73 The Rescue 56 Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World 78 Silences (Silencios) 42 Slashed 42 Slut - The Musical 64, 91 Stay 93 Sylvia’s Spell 66 Take It / Break It 32 Through the Window (Me’Ever La’Chalon) 43 Triple Standard 38, 45 Vanity Box 96 The Wait 46 Wild Imaginings 52 White Paper (Kaghaz-e Sefid) 76 Your Warmth (Chom Gufcha) 46
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Notes ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................
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Crossed Paths (Short Films Package)
Tales Of The Waria
Family Ties
Friday May 25
Saturday May 26
Sunday May 27
Role/Play (Filmmaker In Focus)
Is It Just Me?
Rainbow Warriors (Short Films Package)
01.30 pm
Ub 2 with Indian Masala Breaking The Mix - 2 (Short Surface: The Films Package) Greg Louganis Story (Red Ribbon Package)
Queens! Dance Of Destiny
Long Term Relationship (Filmmaker In Focus)
French Rendezvous (Short Films Package)
11.15 am
05.00 pm
Family Khusreyan Di
My Last Round (Mi Último Round)
Present Perfect With Looking For Gay Bollywood
9.30 Pm Beginners (Opening Film) By Invitation Only
08.30 pm
Crossed Paths (Short Films Package) Triple Standard with August
11.00 pm
Handyman And Slut- The Musical With The Love Patient
Hooked On You Burnt Money (Plata Quemada) (Short Films (Queer Classics) Package) With Men To Kiss (Maenner Zum Knutschen) (Centerpiece Film)
The Rescue With We The Ketheron’s Outsiders (Aamhi Bucket-Mending Eating Out: Drama Camp Ka Tisre) & Hymen Emporium with Gigola (Centerpiece Film)
Bollywood Beats Girl Shorts (Short Films Package) with The Owls
06.15 pm
Qtoons 7.45 Pm 9.30 Pm (Animation Films Award Ceremony Weekend Package) (Closing Film)
Best Of Iris (Short Films Package)
Urban Longings (Short Films Package)
Unfair Games Charlotte (Short Films With Rites Of Passage Package)
03.15 pm
Schedule subjected to change without prior notice at the discretion of the festival.
We The Queers (Short Films Package)
Thursday May 24
Wednesday May 23
10.00 am
Cinemax, Versova, Andheri | Screen 1
Day / Date
All Day
5.00 pm
5.00 pm
3.15 pm
5.00 pm
5.00 pm
May 23-27
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 26
May 27
Panel Discussion
Open House
KASHISH Konversations
Book Reading
Panel Discussion
Art Exhibition
Event
11.30 am
Dakings
Saturday May 26
Indian Masala Mix - 1 (Short Films Package)
Open
Make The Yuletide Gay (Filmmaker In Focus)
The String (Le Fil)
03.15 pm
Let The Butterflies Fly The One (Chittegalu Haradali)
The Last Waltz With Ballroom Rules
Schedule subjected to change without prior notice at the discretion of the festival.
Yes, We Are
Nerve With The Sisters (Die Schwestern)
01.30 pm
My Identity (Meri Pehchaan) with Are We So Different (Amra Ki Etoi Bhinno)
Handyman And SlutThe Musical with Austin Unbound
Little with Shape Of The Shapeless
05.00 pm
Ketheron’s BucketMending & Hymen Emporium With Gigola (Centerpiece Film)
Stay and Present Perfect with Longhorns
French Rendezvous (Short Films Package)
06.30 pm
The Pink Screen: Breaking the glass ceiling for queer portrayals in popular Indian cinema
Dialogues with emerging filmmakers
Face-to-Face with Hollywood filmmaker Rob Williams
Writing Queer! Readings from Out! – a new anthology of LGBT stories from India
Playing Safe: Talking Safe Sex, HIV/AIDS through popular media
Celebrating the lost art of Bollywood Billboards with a `queer twist’
Description
Voices For Change William S Burroughs: (Short Films Package) A Man Within
10.00 am
Friday May 25
Thursday May 24
Day / Date
Alliance Française de Bombay, Marine Lines
Time
Date
Cinemax, Versova, Andheri | Foyer Opposite Screen 1
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Chicken With Plums
Liberty Cinema
A Better Life
41/42 Ground Floor Liberty Building Near Bombay Hospital New Marine Lines Mumbai – 400 020
Delicacy
PVR Juhu 5th Floor, Shoppers Stop, Near Chandan Cinema, Jvpd Scheme, J M Marg, Juhu Mumbai – 400 049
Nobody Else But You
http://bombay.afindia.org Poliss
Entrance is free but strictly on first come first served basis. All movies are subtitled in English.
Fête du
22nd/24th June 2012
Cinéma French Film Festival
Friday 22nd June / Liberty Cinema / Churchgate 6.30 pm Chicken With Plums (Poulet aux prunes), by Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud
Saturday 23rd June / Liberty Cinema / Churchgate 3.30 pm Guided tour of the Liberty cinema (for registration please contact Sheryn Mulla sheryn@afindia.org) 4.30 pm Delicacy (La delicatesse), by David & Stéphane Foenkinos 7.00 pm A Better Life (Une vie meilleure), by Cédric Kahn
Sunday 24th June / PVR Juhu 11.00 am Nobody Else But You (Poupoupidou), by Gérald Hustache Mathieu 7.00 pm Poliss (Polisse), by Maïwenn