KASHISH 2024 Festival Report

KASHISH 2024 FESTIVAL REPORT

KashishFilmFest

KashishFilmFest

KashishFilmFest

KASHISH 2024

15th KASHISH Pride Film Festival

KASHISH 2024 Festival Catalog can be accessed HERE

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KASHISH 2024

Highlights  KASHISH 2024, the 15th edition of KASHISH Pride Film Festival, South Asia’s biggest

LGBTQIA+ film festival, was held as an in-person edition at Liberty Cinema, Alliance Française de Bombay and Cinepolis Andheri from May 15-19th 2024.

 KASHISH 2024 event was a successful edition with good attendance, and engagement with audience members..

 As always a fresh and diverse programming of LGBTQ+ Films, the Panel discussions and Opening & Closing ceremonies were appreciated by one and all.

 Star-studded Opening & Closing ceremonies with some awesome performances enthralled all.  The presence and participation by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Deepa Mehta with her latest film added to the iconic moments of KASHISH 2024.

 A new venue, Cinepolis Andheri was added as a third venue to benefit those audiences who were requesting for a suburban venue.

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KASHISH 2024

Highlights

5 3

Days Venues

5 Panel Discussions

40 Filmmaker Q&As

133

33 Indian Films

from

46

Countries

10 films transgender & non-binary filmmakers

filmmakers

7International filmmakers in Attendance

2,350 INDIVIDUAL Registrations

33 Female Filmmakers

17 Trans/

24 Returning Filmmakers

Non-binary Filmmakers

11,235 Seats filled at 3 venues

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KASHISH 2024

Highlights Trans/ Queer

11% Returning Audience

42.1%

New Audience

57.9%

NonLGBTQ audience

23%

LGBTQ audience 77%

Female

28.2%

Male

60.8%

50 & Above

11% 30-49 years

18-29 years

44.3%

45.7%

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KASHISH 2024

Social Media

Full Social Media Report HERE

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KASHISH 2024

Overview  133 films, from 46 countries 33 feature length narrative and documentary films. KASHISH 2024 Festival Catalog can be accessed HERE

 The festival’s theme was "Unfurl Your Pride" and it was held May 15-19th at Liberty Cinema, May 16-19th Alliance Française de Bombay, and May 17-18th at Cinepolis Andheri West.

 33 Indian LGBTQ+ films were screened at the festival with 6 Indian feature films, the highest ever.

A total of 22 feature films were screened.

 45 films in 11 competition categories, along with 5 screenplays competed for a total cash award of Rs. 7 lacs, highest ever at KASHISH.

 There was fantastic celebrity presence with Deepa Mehta, Nandita Das, Kiran Rao, Lillete Dubey, Sonali Kulkarni, Barun Sobti, Shweta Basu Prasad, Sayani Gupta, Sheeba Chadda, Vipin Sharma, Joy Sengupta, etc. gracing the festival.

 Open mic by Varun Grover, dance performances by Aditi Bhagwat & troupe, Sunil Sunkara & Aditya Garud, and Colour Positive rocked the Opening & Closing ceremonies..

 Well known hosts like Anu Menon (Lola Kutty fame), Rohan Joshi and Rohini Ramnathan

7 alongwith our own host SeduQtress SoniQa were the MCs for the Opening & Closing ceremonies.

KASHISH 2024

Overview

 Filmmaker JEO BABY was felicitated with the Rainbow Voices Award for portraying the dilemmas of a middle age bisexual man in rural India, in his film Kaathal.

 Lakshya Trust, an NGO working primarily in Gujarat was felicitated with the Rainbow Champion Award. Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil received the award on behalf of the trust.



Jury members comprised of acclaimed filmmaker Kiran Rao and actors Sonali Kulkarni & Barun Sobti (Narrative Jury); National Award winning filmmaker Kavita Bahl & Shilpi Gulati and Pushpinder Singh (Documentary Jury); National Award winning actress Shweta Basu Prasad, screenwriter Gazal Dhaliwal and academician Abhijit Majumdar (Student Shorts Jury); Nargis Wadia & Roy Wadia (Riyad Wadia Award Jury); Ashish Sawhny (Ismat Chughtai Award Jury); and National Award winning filmmaker Amit Masurkar & National Award winning actor Joy Sengupta and screenwriter Atika Chohan (KASHISH Qdrishti Film Grant),

 40 Filmmakers from India and abroad participated in the festival, with 7 International and 20 Indian Filmmakers from outside Mumbai in addition to an array of Local filmmakers.

 A ‘Fire’side Chat with internationally acclaimed filmmaker Deepa Mehta and National Award

winning actress Nandita Das, in conversation with journalist Dhamini Ratham. This panel was 8 supported by the Consulate General of Canada.

KASHISH 2024

Overview  KASHISH 2024 presented several panel discussions – ‘LGBTQ+ Narratives in Regional Cinema’;

‘Perspectives from the Pages’, ‘Rainbow Parents Speak up!’ supported by Morgan Stanley; and ‘KASHISH 2024 Filmmakers Interface’ supported by Whistling Woods International.

 KASHISH 2024 celebrated the diversity of the LGBTQ+ spectrum by its engaging line-up of films as well as showcasing the richness of Indian regional languages by screening films in Manipuri, Pahari, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Hindi and English.

 Several companies, consulates, and organizations came together to support KASHISH including

Skybags, KPMG, Morgan Stanley, Axis Bank, General Mills, TIAA, Consulate General of Canada, Quebec Government in Mumbai, Keshav Suri Foundation, Lotus Visual Productions, K.F.Patil Charitable Trust, Wadia Movietone, Whistling Woods International, Abhay Kulkarni, Ashish Sawhny and Renuka Shahane.

 Industry & Community Partners were IMDb, Embassy of France, Institut Francais, Warner

Brothers Discovery, FCG, Iris Prize, Accord Equips, The Daily Eye, Digital Fix, The QKnit Foundation & Sweekar: the Rainbow Parents. Hospitality Partner was The Lalit, Mumbai.

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KASHISH 2024 in Pics

Celebs at the Red Carpet

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KASHISH 2024 in Pics

Celebs at the Red Carpet

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KASHISH 2024 in Pics

Queer Celebs

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KASHISH 2024 in Pics

Partners

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KASHISH 2024 in Pics

Advisory Board

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KASHISH 2024 in Pics

‘Fire’side Chat

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KASHISH 2024 in Pics

Award Winners & Award Partners

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KASHISH 2024 in Pics

Performances & Hosts

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KASHISH 2024 in Pics

Houseful Audiences

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KASHISH 2024

Jury Panels

Read Jury Bios HERE

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KASHISH 2024

Panel Discussions

Check out details of the panel discussions HERE

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KASHISH 2024

Partners

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KASHISH 2024

Partners Speak "At KPMG in India, we are thrilled to support the KASHISH Pride Film Festival for the second consecutive year. Our sponsorship reflects our unwavering commitment to inclusion and diversity, values that are deeply embedded in our organisational culture. Our collaboration is a testament to our belief that diversity is not just a business imperative but a moral and social one as well. We believe its required to build an equitable society where everyone, regardless of gender or sexuality, feels valued, respected and celebrated.“ Sunit Sinha, Partner and Head – People, Performance and Culture, KPMG in India

“We are thrilled to be a part of the KASHISH Pride Film Festival for the eight time! This event stands as a beacon of hope, shining a light on the vital narratives of the LGBTQ+ community. Films wield a profound ability to shape perspectives and bring about change within society. By joining forces with this cause, we take immense pride in championing the visibility and equity of the LGBTQ+ community in India. Together, we celebrate diversity and help build a more inclusive future through the power of cinema.”

Radhika Piramal, Vice Chairperson, VIP Industries Ltd.

“At Morgan Stanley we continue to be focused on making the Firm an employer of choice for LGBT+ talent, by providing recruiting opportunities, career development, policies and benefits and networking activities to promote inclusion, and belonging. We are proud to sponsor KASHISH for the fifth consecutive year and very excited to see the increased participation from the community and allies. The festival is a great platform and we hope it will continue to make a positive impact for the LGBT+ community.”

Rajat Mathur, India Head of Human Resources, Morgan Stanley

KPMG Angel Partner

Skybags Angel Partner

Morgan Stanley Venture Partner

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KASHISH 2024

Partners Speak “General Mills is proud to announce our association with KASHISH Pride Film Festival as Venture Partner in 2024 for the fifth consecutive year. At GIC, we champion belonging by embracing diversity and respecting individual uniqueness, that helps everyone thrive and grow. We are committed to building a safe, sustainable, and inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to bring their authentic selves to work” Atulaya Goswami, Director HR, GIC & India Site Operations, General Mills

"Our association with KASHISH helps us deepen our human experience and understanding of gender and sexuality through the powerful medium of Cinema. “ Rajkamal Vempati, President and Head - Human Resources, Axis Bank

“KASHISH QDristhi film grant provides an opportunity to LGBTQ+ voices to tell their own stories. It promotes movie making that goes beyond token representation that uses the queer or trans narrative for profit mongering by differentiating between tokenism and authentic storytelling.”

Neeraj Churi, Founder, Lotus Visual Productions

General Mills Venture Partner

Axis Bank Venture Partner

Lotus Visual Productions Award Partner

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KASHISH 2024

Partners Speak “To be an award partner of KASHISH is a natural extension of my support to the LGBTQIA+ community that faces new challenges every day. KASHISH is a powerful platform of self-expression and I feel this platform needs to be protected and supported morally as well as financially. I'm glad my contribution helps a few creative minds from the LGBTQIA+ community to feel appreciated for their artistic work.”

Renuka Shahane, Actor

Renuka Shahane Award Partner

“Shri K.F.Patil Charitable Trust in the name of my father who was a freedom fighter, stands for Unity in Diversity. As an award partner we are proud to be associated with KASHISH Film Festival which year after year has been promoting freedom and inclusivity for all human kind. When the world is going through so much upheaval, its time to accept people exactly as they are and exactly as they are not. The documentary awards are to encourage filmmakers to create awareness, inform and educate people from all parts of the world to open their hearts to the LGBTQIA+ community and learn to live in peace and harmony with every kind of person.”

Arunaraje Patil, Chairperson, K.F. Patil Charitable Trust

K.F.Patil Charitable Trust Award Partner

“The legacy of Wadia Movietone’s pioneering founder JBH Wadia and of his grandson - and my beloved brother Riyad Wadia lives on through the KASHISH award constituted in Riyad’s name. Inspiration, Innovation, Inclusion All these qualities are reflected year after year through the award winners. We are proud to continue supporting the award and KASHISH!” Roy Wadia, Director, Wadia Movietone

Wadia Movietone Award Partner

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KASHISH 2024

Partners Speak "Whistling Woods International has always extended its support towards encouraging talent and creativity in aspirants and students. Throughout the recent years, our collaboration with KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival has grown stronger, and I am thrilled to continue our partnership this year. I firmly believe in the power of films and creative arts, and through these mediums instill the importance of diversity & inclusion. By sponsoring the Student Short Award, we hope many talented youth will find their expression and be encouraged to find courage in creativity. Wishing KASHISH 2023 all the success.“ Meghna Ghai Puri, President, WWI

“It is an honor to support the Best International Narrative Short Award. GagaOOLala provides a platform for all to present diversity and different forms of love, and we aim to connect talented creators around the world. Short films are the perfect vehicle for young and experienced filmmakers to showcase their talent and find their voice. We want to help queer Indian directors find their audience, and with this partnership, we are glad to welcome great films to be on GagaOOLala.” Jay Lin, Founder, GagaOoLala

Chughtai Award for the Best Indian Women Filmmaker’, in the spirit of my Feminist Nani, and as support to our KASHISH festival filmmakers. We hope this will encourage greater diversity and representation, and we will have a wider range of queer voices participating. As a filmmaker myself, I understand the need for support from within our rainbow community, and hope this will help newer filmmakers step forward to share their vision.“ Ashish Sawhny, grandson of Ismat Chughtai

“Awards are not just about prize money or trophy, it’s an appreciation and respect given to the qualitative hard work of a writer and creator. I wanted to institute an award for best writing in memory of my late father Dr. Arvind Vaman Kulkarni, who was a well-known Poet and Writer in Marathi literature, and thought KASHISH is the best platform for this award. KASHISH has always believed in quality, and this best screenplay award is for quality. My best wishes to Team KASHISH.” Abhay Kulkarni, son of Shri. Arvind Waman Kulkarni

Whistling Woods International Award Partner

GagaOoLala AwardQuébec Partner Supporting Partner

Ashish Sawhny Award32 Partner

Abhay Kulkarni Award Partner

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KASHISH 2024

Award Winners

Read about KASHISH 2024 Winners HERE

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KASHISH 2024

Award Winners & Jury Special Mentions

Read about KASHISH 2024 Winners HERE

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KASHISH 2024

In News

Full Press Clips Docket HERE

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KASHISH 2024

In News

Full Press Clips Docket HERE

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KASHISH 2024

In News

Full Press Clips Docket HERE

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KASHISH THROUGH THE YEAR

KASHISH INITITAIVES Best of KASHISH for Corporates KASHISH has been conducting online/offline screening and discussion programs with corporate houses, to create awareness and sensitize their employees to LGBTQ+ issues as part of their D&I initiative. Typically it is a 1 ½ hour session with 1 hour of screening and ½ hour of discussion. We have already done such events for Morgan Stanley, General Mills, IBM, Goldman Sachs, Nomura, Accenture, Ford, etc.

We can customize the event to the company's needs and objectives.

KASHISH Forward KASHISH Forward is India’s first Campus LGBTQ+ Film Festival where we take a set of campus-friendly LGBTQ+ films to screen at colleges and universities. We have already done 60 such screenings across India in not only Metro cities, but also Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

KASHISH We Care Fund Through KASHISH We Care Fund, we try to support other community based organizations working for the welfare of LGBTQ+ community through donations and resource sharing. During lockdown KASHISH has contributed to 8 organizations across India, and this year it has adopted 2 colleges in Mumbai.

To know more about these initiatives and how you can also be part of it, please write to us at partners.kashish@gmail.com

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KASHISH 2024

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