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KASHISH 2019 collaborates with

Jio MAMI with Star



KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year from June 12-16th at two iconic theaters in the city, has formed a collaboration with Mumbai's premiere film festival Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star.



As part of the collaboration, Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star is facilitating facilitating screening of two key films at KASHISH - Rafiki from Kenya, directed by Wanuri Kahiu and Boy Erased from USA directed by Joel Edgerton.



"KASHISH is thrilled to be collaborating with one of India's biggest film festivals, to further the cause of good cinema. Whether the films focus on LGBTQ on not, we all believe in the power of cinema as flag-bearers of social movements. This is just the beginning and we hope to build on it in the years to come", said Sridhar Rangayan, festival director of KASHISH.



“Congratulations to Sridhar and his team for the 10th anniversary of KASHISH! Inclusion and diversity have become benchmarks today but at a time when nobody was focusing on LGBTQ narratives, KASHISH stood tall in resolutely pushing the envelope. We at Jio MAMI with Star are thrilled to partner with them to push film as a vehicle for change and empathy”, Smriti Kiran, Artistic Director, Mumbai Academy of Moving Image 



The 2018 edition of  Mumbai Film Festival had screened 10 LGBTQ films from around the world. At the 2018 edition, KASHISH curated a panel discussion about mainstream

KASHISH had conducted a panel discussion on LGBTQ cinema in 2018 at Mumbai Film Festival titled, “Pushing the Envelope on LGBTQ Cinema in India” . The speakers were actor Rajit Kapur and filmmakers Onir, Vandana Kataria and Sridhar Rangayan; moderated by RJ Rohini Ramnathan.



KASHISH 2019 will screen 160 films from 43 countries.



Rafki, will play as the International Narrative Centerpiece film at KASHISH on Friday Jun 14th 5.45pm at Liberty Carnival Cinemas. This feature film from Kenya about two girls deeply in love n a conservative society, was initially banned in Kenya but won the hearts of audiences at every festival - winning awards and accolades. It missed the Oscar nomination in best foreign film category.



Boy Erased will be screened on Sunday June 16th at 4.15pm at Metro INOX. This film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor is one of the most successful mainstream gay film to hit the screens last year. Nominated in two categories for the Golden Globes and having won several awards across the world, this real life story of a pastor’s struggle with his son’s sexuality is a must see for all audiences, and more so for every parent and family.



KASHISH 2019



Around 160 LGBTQ films from 43 countries will be screened at the 10th edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival from June 12-June 16, 2019. This includes 31 short and feature length films from India. South Asia's biggest LGBTQ film festival will be held at two of Mumbai city's iconic theatres - Liberty Carnival Cinemas and Metro Inox.



Delegates can register to attend the festival on India's leading online movie-ticketing platform BookMyShow.com. Register for KASHISH 2019 at: https://in.bookmyshow.com/events/kashish-2019-over-the-rainbow/ET00101778



KASHISH is presently raising funds through crowdfunding on Wishberry to organise the festival. KASHISH 2019 is crowdfunding on: https://www.wishberry.in/campaign/kashish-2019-over-the-rainbow





KASHISH 2019 Theme



KASHISH 2019 festival theme ‘Over The Rainbow’ not only commemorates the reading down of Sec 377 and decriminalization of same-sex relationships in India, but also defines the challenges in store for the LGBTQ community’s journey towards empowerment and social acceptance. Bringing together films from all over the world as well as panel discussions and performances, the festival will showcase the shared struggles and victories, and offer a window to existing and future possibilities. Let’s together journey over the rainbow to discover the land of equality & dignity.



About KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival



Voted as one of the Top 5 LGBT Film Festival in the World, KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is South Asia's biggest queer film festival and the only LGBT film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theatre. Founded in 2010, KASHISH is held over 5 days at three venues. It is the first Indian LGBT festival to be held with approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India. KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is presented by KASHISH Arts Foundation and organized by Solaris Pictures. Besides the annual film festival its other initiatives are KASHISH Forward - India’s first travelling campus LGBTQ film festival, KASHISH Global – that facilitates screening of Indian LGBTQ films across the world, Best of KASHISH film screenings and KASHISH Chalchitra Utsav – a festival of LGBTQ films in regional languages.