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Executive Summary
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KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival 2013, South Asia’s and India’s biggest and only mainstream LGBT film festival was held between May 22‐26, 2013. Films were screened at two venues – Cinemax Versova, one of Mumbai's leading multiplexes, and Alliance Française de Bombay. In its fourth year the festival had many firsts:
For the first time, since the festival started in 2010, all the funds were raised from corporates and through crowd funding.
Several Indian LGBT companies, organizations and initiatives supported the festival with financial contributions or advertisement in the festival catalog.
The festival set up an Advisory Board comprising eminent personalities from India and
abroad including Nandini Sardesai, professor and social activist; Dolly Thakore, theatre personality; Shernaz Patel, actress; Roy Wadia communication strategist and executive director of Heroes Project; Meghna Ghai Puri, President of Whistling Woods International ; David Gere (USA), Professor and arts activist; and Jenni Olson (USA), queer media historian and activist.
Cash awards for two best film categories were sponsored by acclaimed actor Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares.
Best Actor in a lead role – a new award instituted by Actor Prepares.
Some of the other highlights of the fourth edition of the festival were:
132 films from 40 countries were screened at the festival
The theme of this year’s festival was ``Towards Change.’’
This year, the ‘Country Focus’ was on China with more than 12 films from there.
`Filmmaker in Focus’ was US filmmaker and gay activist Jim Hubbard, who travelled to India to be present at KASHISH 2013.
LGBT themed films from countries where being gay or lesbian is still very perilous ‐ Iran, Serbia, Slovakia, Pakistan and Morocco ‐ were screened at KASHISH 2013.
HIGHLIGHTS
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LGBT themed films in Indian regional languages including Marathi, Tamil & Hindi.
The Indian government’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting gave its clearance for the film festival.
The international jury comprised filmmaker Aruna Raje, Bollywood actor & model Simone Singh, theatre director Quasar Thakore Padamsee, author and poet Jerry Pinto and Iris Prize festival director Berwyn Rowlands (Cardiff, UK).
‘Morgan’ (USA) by Michael Akers won the Best Narrative Feature Film with a cash award of Rs 30,000 and ‘Urmi’ (India) by Jehangir Jani won the Best Indian Short film with a cash prize of Rs 20,000; both sponsored by actor Anupam Kher and his acting school Actor Prepares.
The Riyad Wadia award for Best Emerging Indian filmmaker was given out by Wadia Movietone. The cash prize of Rs.15,000 was shared by two films – ‘Dopehri’ (India) by Manava Naik and ‘Lonely Walls’ (India) by Rohan Kanawade.
Crsytal Annette in the short film ‘Polaroid Girl’ (USA) was adjudged Best Actor in a Lead Role, an award instituted this year by Bollywood actor Anupam Kher and his acting school Actor Prepares.
Other awards were Best Documentary Feature for ‘Hide and Seek’ (Pakistan / Netherlands) by Saadat Munir & Saad Khan; Best Documentary Short for ‘Two Girls Against The Rain’ (Cambodia) by Sopheak Sao; and Best International Narrative Short for ‘Polaroid Girl’ (USA)
Fashion designer Wendell Rodricks picked the winner for the Best Poster Contest – Prachi Patil‐Kotkar who won a cash prize of Rs.20,000 sponsored by Wendell Rodricks and R.7,500 sponsored by KASHISH MIQFF.
Opening Film was ‘The Parade’ from Serbia
Closing Film was Rituparno Ghosh's ‘Chitrangada: The Crowning Wish’
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.
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HIGHLIGHTS
* The KASHISH 2013 Crowdfunding through Wishberry was one of the most successful Wishberry crowdfunding campaign
Highest ever
Rs.2,62,000 raised through
Crowdfunding* & Print Ads
Highest ever
Rs.92,500 given as
Cash Awards to winners in four categories
Highest ever
132 Films
40 Countries Highest ever
Online & Spot Registrations
1532
Highest ever
Total Seat occupancy
6570
Highest ever
52 Press write‐ups and numerous blog links
Highest ever
14 Houseful shows 75% Occupancy
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DEMOGRAPHIC & FEEDBACK SNAPSHOT
70%rated KASHISH 2013
Excellent / Good
43%Postgraduate
35% Graduate
48% Salaried 33% Self‐employed 20% Students
Annual Salary
70% > Rs.1lacs 37% > Rs.5lacs 10% > Rs.12lacs
17%Identified as
Heterosexuals
63% Identified as
Gay
50% Returning Audience
80% rated KASHISH 2013
Better / Similar than previous years
88% between age
18‐45 years
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PARTNERS
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CELEB SPEAK
Cinema is an expression of the needs of society, its creative part of society. We must respect individuality of people. KASHISH is a very good initiative. There are a lot of people who would like to watch the films that touch on LGBT issues, there are many who see these films as part of their lives and are glad that people are taking note of the problems they face. I wish Kashish all success. ‐ Kabir Bedi, actor
At KASHISH I was so happy to see a large section of the mainstream merging with the LGBT community and eagerly awaiting to watch the films. ‐ Kalpana Lajmi, filmmaker
As a Chief Guest last year at Kashish 2012, I was really amazed at the quality of cinema that I got to see. Sponsoring awards for Kashish is our (Actor Prepares') way of acknowledging their efforts for a better Cinema with little means. ‐ Anupam Kher, actor
KASHISH provides an insight into the lives of a marginalised community and offers a platform to bring them into the mainstream. KASHISH is an annual cultural event in Mumbai. ‐ Dolly Thakore, theatre personality
Kashish has become an important part of movement towards greater visibility of LGBT community. ‐ Wendell Rodricks, fashion designer
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I was stuck by the sheer enthusiasm, commitment and dedication of Kashish team and I hope the festival grows and goes from strength to strength. Kashish is a wonderful platform to celebrate diversity and also to educate people about the issues faced by the LGBT community. ‐ Aamir Bashir, actor & filmmaker
KASHISH is about cinematic excellence and there were some wonderful films from around the world, which normally you will not be able to watch anywhere else. ‐ Sujata Mehta, actor
KASHISH is the need of our times when a community gets represented through performing arts. Gay rights cannot only be won in the courtroom but it has to win hearts and minds of the people. Cinema is a powerful medium to achieve that and KASHISH has been doing that since 2010. ‐ Manvendra Singh Gohil, Prince of Rajpipla and gay rights activist
I had a great time at Kashish, it opened a window for me to see the diversity of India, beyond anything I knew before. The festival was big, smart, fun and friendly. I got to know a lot of new friends, very inspired! It was also great to connect LGBT community between China and India. The conversation about family issue was very interesting. ‐ Popo Fan, filmmaker and festival director (China)
What I found so compelling about Kashish is that it was an immersive environment, growing out of a community and, in a loving and generous way, nurturing that community in return. Thus it became more than just a film festival. It is a place of change and growth. ‐ Jim Hubbard, filmmaker and activist (USA)
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KASHISH 2013 INTERNATIONAL JURY
About the Festival itself, it is indeed a milestone in what is possible ‐ the spirit of freedom, love and togetherness was so present ‐ it was an opportunity for people to see that LGBT people are different and yet they are not different. As far as the Jury is concerned I think I can say for all of us that we had a ball ‐ we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. We also saw some good films that got us in the gut. In years to come I am sure Kashish will go beyond being a LGBT Film Festival and be a place for good cinema that all people flock to. ‐ Aruna Raje, filmmaker & jury member
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The LGBT community for too long has been marginalised and suffered – Kashish is a vehicle and a right‐now opportunity for their inclusion so they have the same freedom and rights that everyone on this planet has. It’s easy through cinema to open people’s minds and hearts. That’s where KASHISH comes in. ‐ Aruna Raje, filmmaker
This film festival is a vibrant platform for filmmakers the world over to showcase their work relating to the LGBT community. It’s also an opportunity for society to understand and gain an insight into the LGBT community. The cultural and cinematic diversity of the selected films is amazing. ‐ Simone Singh, actor
KASHISH is a unique and important event in the city's cultural landscape. It is an example of the diversity our city has to offer. The festival has grown by leaps and bounds each year and the films on offer are powerful and sensitive. I saw films that ordinarily I wouldn't have had the opportunity to. ‐ Quasar Thakore Padamsee, theatre director
I am happy to be part of the jury of a festival of cinema that celebrates diversity and makes spaces for difference. ‐ Jerry Pinto, author and poet
It was a great time meeting local filmmakers, tasting some authentic food and generally understanding more about being LGBT in India. I've always believed that we live in a global village where most experiences are shared ‐ but I also like diversity, that’s what I enjoyed during my time at Kashish. ‐ Berwyn Rowlands, festival director (UK)
Kashish is at the forefront of that change and is doing so much to change minds and hearts among the wider public, and to strengthen and nurture the LGBT community's own perceptions of itself in terms of dignity and humanity ‐ Roy Wadia, communication strategist
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For full media coverage docket, check out downloadable pdf: http://issuu.com/kashish/docs/kashish_2013_media_docket
MEDIA BUZZ
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AUDIENCE SPEAK
I was introduced to films and filmmakers I had not been exposed to before.
Films started by and large on time and Kashish managed to stick to the schedule, something which even
MAMI, IFFI and Third Eye fail to do.
It's getting bigger every year and the number of films is higher as well but one screen at cinema is not enough. Had to miss out on couple of movies
because of space.
I am a straight guy who went to Kashish for the
love of films. Till now I had never met anyone from the LGBT community in person. After meeting them, my belief only strengthened that one has the right to live with dignity no matter what their preferences are.
Came to know from different views (director's view) and was able to understand that there are many more who are working towards equality, change and I can also participate in it.
It has been an incredible experience… feels like
being at home ... I wish this festival took place atleast twice a year
Kashish is a great platform for the promotion of
human equality.
I'm straight! I always had queer friends. Kashish has given me an
opportunity to get to know queer world better.
Kashish Miqff has become the best Mumbai summer can offer and I am
very happy that I attended all five days. After seeing films from countries such as Serbia, Israel, Iran, one realizes how lucky we are to be in this country and
city, where we can be ourselves without any fear.
The festival was a way of celebration, awareness, togetherness, discussion,
laughter, tears, joy and pure awesomeness...
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I enjoyed a safe comfort space for queer people.
My first time at Kashish, will surely be there
every year.
Kashish gives the raw unedited Global
understandings about the LGBT community. Got to know different contexts,
relationships and views that exist within the community.
It widened and sharpened my gender perspective... It gave a closer look at lives of LGBT beyond the
sexuality aspect, that too in neighbouring
countries like Pakistan and Muslim
countries... the joys, sufferings, pain and pleasure... all being the same as that of any heterosexual
individual.
I had a better understanding of Transgenders and their ways of life. This helped me in removing
my transphobia.
As a gay person I attended my 1st social event and saw so many people enjoying and watching movies like this... Felt like I’m
not alone here…
One thing that I need to mention is about
Sponsorship – The existing ones are doing well,
however I strongly feel Kashish must have more names from the corporate
world; more funding.
It’s good to know, people from various spectrum are attending the fest. I'm glad it’s not just restricted to the 'community' but bridging the gap and becoming a fest of
life.
The films were cinematically and in terms of content, were stronger, and enlightening. I came across such films wherein I understood that there could be love and emotions between two people of same gender. Earlier, I just though that these relations never work
and people here are just for sex.
This was my 1st time at Kashish. It was a
liberating experience to know that we have such a well organized festival that represents us in its
true sense
With thousands flocking to attend the fest,
KASHISH just got bigger and better.
Suffering from Kashish withdrawal pangs.
I would say the 4 day event ranks as the top Indian LGBT event without doubt. No event matches up in terms of scale and participation, both LGBT and mainstream.
Billboard
Standee
d on Theater
at Theater E
r Wall
Entrance
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RANDIN
G ELEM
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144
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Poster at Box Office
Cinema Slide in Theater
Chequer
Delegate
ed Grid at F
e & other Ba
oyer
adges
166
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KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival
Website: mumbaiqueerfest.com Blog: kashishmiqff.blogspot.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Kashish.MIQFF Twitter: twitter.com/KashishMIQFF
Youtube: youtube.com/user/KASHISHfilmfest Pintrest: pinterest.com/kashishmiqff
To view FULL KASHISH 2013 Festival Report CLICK HERE