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WELCOME NOTE BY FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
WELCOME NOTE
Sridhar Rangayan
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Festival Director
KASHISH 2021 is very unique, because once again for the second year in succession KASHISH has gone digital completely, for 12 days of film screenings spread over 3 long weekends. With the experience of hile it was a herculean task to move the festival online, it is also very heartening that we are able to open up the festival to the world. At the challenging times we are in, KASHISH 2020 Virtual offers a reason to celebrate our lives, and look ahead to a time when everyone will be able to live with dignity, and find the love and care they need in their lives.
This sentiment is echoed in this year’s theme – Unlock With Pride that encompasses the marginalized voices within the LGBTQIA+ community, and highlights stories around them. There are several films that focus on queer identities and sexualities that are largely hidden in mainstream narratives.
We are thankful to the __ filmmakers from ____ countries who have supported the festival by giving their films unconditionally to screen in the online edition, making KASHISH 2021 the largest ever online film festival in India, not just LGBTQ+. We are also happy to involve numerous international filmmakers in virtual Q&As that wouldn’t have been possible at a ground event.
We are also thankful to all the panelists from around the world who came on board for the 8 panel discussions that are premiering on our social media channels. They have enriched the discussions with their expertise and experiences.
Last but not the least, huge round of thanks and applause to the entire KASHISH festival team and volunteers, who have worked tirelessly, more than any other year, to bring out this virtual edition.
We are happy to announce that 60% of registration money we collect will be donated, after deduction of platform expenses, to 5 Indian organizationS working towards relief for the LGBTQ+ community, specially the Transgender community, during these challenging times.
So please show your support to KASHISH 2020 Virtual, and spread the good word.
