Celina Jaitley: “I am very happy to be associated with KASHISH for the second year as its Ambassador. KASHISH is a great platform to uphold human rights and dignity for all, which is what I strongly believe in too. KASHISH is a celebration of the equality of all human emotions irrespective of sex, creed, race and culture.”
Shyam Benegal: “All minorities in this country need representation and sexual minorities is one of them. KASHISH is a move in the right direction to create awareness through the medium of films. It is a step forward in the gay movement.”
Well how about that! Just when I was telling you about the Q Card another champion for the LGBT crew has arrived. Celina Jaitley and Shyam Benegal recently announced Kashish 2011 – the second edition of India’s biggest queer film festival that focuses on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender films! Celina’s their Festival Ambassador and Shyam Benegal is the Festival Patron.
Spotted: Jury members Sai Paranjpye, Shernaz Patel, Samir Soni, and Khalid Mohamed at the press conference held at the Press Club.
Apparently the festival this year is bigger, bolder and queerer!
Key Highlights for this year will be:
• This year, the ‘Country Focus’ will be on Israel with more than 7 films from there
• Spotlight on Filmmaker’ will shine on US filmmaker Q. Allan Brocka and UK filmmaker Rikki Beadle-Blair with their funny, sexy and thought provoking films. Both the filmmakers are traveling to India for the very first time to be present at KASHISH.
• Special package of sensitive, dramatic and touching features and shorts on HIV/AIDS is introduced under ‘Red Ribbon Films’ package
• The “competition section’’ will showcase films which will be judged by an eminent international jury Panel.
• Riyad Wadia award for Indian emerging filmmaker’ is instituted this year with a cash award of 10,000rs.
• The Best Indian queer short film at KASHISH gets to compete for the Iris Prize in UK which carries a cash prize of 25,000 pounds.
FYI
The Indian queer landscape is undergoing historic changes: Pride parades in all the metros, the Delhi High Court’s landmark verdict on Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, re-launch of India’s first gay magazine Bombay Dost, the Indian Election Commission’s decision to recognize transgender as a separate category – all these have increased queer visibility both in the media and in mainstream society. KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival takes this journey further through the medium of films.
More on: mumbaiqueerfest.com |Blog: kashishmiqff.blogspot.com Facebook: Kashish.MIQFF Twitter: Kashish2011 | Email: info.kashishmiqff@gmail.com