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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Daniel Craig's Queer to open Kashish film festival's 16th edition tomorrow
Powered by actor Daniel Craig, Luca Guadagnino-directed Queer will open the 16th edition of Kashish Pride Film Festival, Mumbai's annual LGBTQ+ film festival, on June 4. The festival, which boasts of being 'diverse and inclusive with representation of the complete LGBTQ+ spectrum', will roll out an impressive line-up of 152 films from 48 countries. 'Earlier, we used to have lesbian, gay or transgender movies. Now, the other members of the spectrum, including non-binary and intersex people are making movies. So, the festival is more inclusive now,' says Sridhar Rangayan, the festival's founder director. Its closing film, 'Close To You', features transgender actor Elliot Page in the lead. The festival's opening ceremony will be held at Bandra's St Andrews Auditorium while the screenings will be held at Cinepolis, Andheri West, from June 4-8. It will also hold screenings at Alliance Francaise, Marine Lines, from June 5 to 8. Some of the major films selected for the festival include Shyam Benegal's 'Mandi', Onir's 'We Are Faheem & Karun', Dutch film 'Out' and 'Odd Fish', which is set in an Icelandic township. Director Deborah Alice Craig's 'Sally!', Mikko Mäkelä's 'Sebastian', Emanuel Parvu's 'Three Kilometers to the End of the World', Patricia Ryczko's 'Reset', and Marcelo Caetano's Baby are the other top picks. 'As the festival turns 16, the programming has become more dynamic. A number of films talk about queer parents and parenting challenges. We also have South Asian countries, such as Myanmar and Bhutan, participating this year,' says Saagar Gupta, the festival's artistic director. While holding the festival for 16 years has been a fulfilling experience, the team has also been dealing with several challenges. 'Across the world, it has become financially challenging to hold a film festival. Donald Trump's anti-LGBTQ+ stand and the UK's trans-phobic policies have made it even more difficult for us. We are supported by the diversity and inclusion budget of corporate companies in India. It's becoming tough to access that,' says Rangayan. Recounting the journey of Kashish, Rangayan shares that in April 2010, its inaugural edition was held at PVR, Juhu, with the aim of creating a 'mainstream space' where the members of queer community as well as their allies could mingle. 'During the pre-Kashish period, we had held screenings of queer films at National College, Bandra, and British Council or Alliance Française. The 2009 Delhi High Court verdict (which decriminalised homosexual acts), gave us the impetus to organise a festival that's more mainstream in nature,' he recalls and adds that it is the first Indian LGBTQ+ festival to be held with approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry. Apart from creating a mainstream feel, the festival's aim has been to provide a big-screen experience to delegates as well as make sure they enjoy watching queer movies with their partners, friends and family without 'a sense of shame or guilt', says Rangayan. The festival moved Liberty Cinema in 2014 to accommodate a large number of delegates. This year, the first phase of the festival is being held at Cinepolis and Rangayan hopes it will draw youngsters to the screenings there. The festival schedule and other details can be found at
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Daniel Craig's Queer and Elliot Page's Close To You to Bookend KASHISH 2025
Mumbai's KASHISH Pride Film Festival marks its 16th edition in June 2025, showcasing 152 LGBTQ+ films from 48 countries. Opening with 'Queer' and closing with 'Close To You,' the festival emphasizes 'Love = Peace' and celebrates diverse stories. The event features Indian cinema, including Onir's 'We Are Faheem & Karun,' and honors Shyam Benegal with a screening of 'Mandi'. Mumbai's iconic KASHISH Pride Film Festival returns for its 16th edition this June, once again asserting its place as South Asia's biggest LGBTQ+ film festival. The 2025 edition will run from June 4 to June 8, kicking off with an opening ceremony at St. Andrews Auditorium, Bandra, followed by screenings at Cinepolis, Andheri West and Alliance Française, Marine Lines. Global Highlights, Local Voices A total of 152 films from 48 countries will be screened, with entries from as far afield as Iceland, Peru, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, and Palestine. The strong South Asian presence continues with films from India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. India leads the tally with 37 films, followed by the USA (34) and the UK (19). This year's selection includes a dynamic mix of documentaries, short films, and narratives that reflect a broad and evolving LGBTQ+ experience. 'Queer' to open, 'Close To You' to close The festival opens with Queer, a film by Luca Guadagnino, featuring Daniel Craig, and concludes with Close To You, directed by Dominic Savage and starring Elliot Page, who also serves as producer. Other notable international titles include the Dutch documentary Out by Dennis Alink, and Odd Fish by Snævar Sölvason, set in an Icelandic coastal town. A Movement, Not Just a Festival 'KASHISH has always taken on challenges in its stride and emerged stronger,' said Sridhar Rangayan, Founder and Festival Director. 'With our move back to the suburbs and a line-up that appeals to younger audiences, the festival hopes to infuse new energy. Sixteen years ago, we laid the first bricks of Indian queer cinema . Today, we're witnessing an entire movement rising — brave, brilliant, and uncompromising.' This year's theme, 'Love = Peace,' carries added resonance. 'Peace isn't just the absence of conflict — it's the presence of love,' said Saagar Gupta, Artistic Director. 'Love for who we are, for each other, and for every identity that makes us whole.' Indian Cinema in Focus The Indian Narrative Centrepiece is Onir's award-winning We Are Faheem & Karun, while the International Narrative Centrepiece is Three Kilometers To The End Of The World by Romanian director Emanuel Pârvu. KASHISH will also pay tribute to its patron Shyam Benegal with a screening of his landmark 1983 film Mandi, featuring a star-studded cast including Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Neena Gupta, Naseeruddin Shah, and Pankaj Kapur. Open to All The festival promises a celebration of diverse LGBTQ+ stories and offers discounted registrations for students, senior citizens, and transgender persons. With a compelling mix of cinema, conversation, and community, KASHISH 2025 aims to be more than a festival—it's a space for visibility, pride, and cultural dialogue.
