Kashish Pride Film Festival Returns To Mumbai With Films From 48 Countries: What To Expect?

As we're about to enter pride month, Mumbai sets the stage for a vibrant celebration of diversity and cinematic brilliance with the 16th edition of the Kashish Pride Film Festival, running from June 4 to 8, 2025. What began in 2010 as an initiative to empower and bring change through stories has grown into South Asia’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, amplifying queer voices through the power of storytelling.

This year’s festival will showcase 152 films from 48 countries, including India, Japan, Norway, Peru, Nigeria, Iceland, and even Bhutan and Palestine. These stories span genres, languages, and cultures, offering viewers a rare opportunity to see queer lives and themes on the big screen in deeply personal and globally relevant narratives.

Opening with the Daniel Craig-starrer “Queer” and closing with Elliot Page’s “Close to You,” the five-day cinematic journey is packed with 20 World Premieres, 12 International Premieres, and 50 Asian Premieres-a staggering lineup that solidifies Kashish’s place on the global queer film map.

Indian stories take center stage

This year, India proudly contributes 38 titles, including Onir’s “We Are Faheem & Karun” and Abhijit’s “I Am Revathi.” These films delve into layered portrayals of queer lives across the country, offering both urban and rural perspectives. Other standout international entries include “Three Kilometers to the End of the World” from Romania, “Out” from the Netherlands, and the French drama “If I Die, It'll Be of Joy.” Notably, Bhutan's first LGBTQ+ themed feature, “AumPenjor,” is also part of this year’s lineup.

A spotlight on queer lives beyond the usual narratives

This year’s festival goes beyond the familiar activist storyline, showcasing characters from the LGBTQ+ community in diverse and refreshing roles. From a tribal forest officer in “Unheard Stories - Vijaya”, to a teacher in “Sweet Beginning,” a postwoman in “Melvilasam,” and athletes in “We’ll Go Down in History”-the representation is both bold and nuanced.

A special thematic focus this year is on queer parenting, with films such as “TwoMoms” from Japan, “Fatherhood” from Norway, and “Trans and Pregnant” from New Zealand. Short films from India and Myanmar further explore family and gender identity from various lenses.

Panels, discussions & cultural exchange

Beyond screenings, the festival invites audiences to engage in dialogue through curated panels and talks. A key discussion titled “Indian Trans Actors to the Front, Please” features prominent figures like Trinetra Haldar (Made in Heaven 2), Lauren Robinson (Mismatched 3), A. Revathi, and filmmaker Faraz Ansari. The session will spotlight the evolving representation of trans voices in Indian cinema.

Another panel, “Portrayals with Pride: LGBTQ+ Depictions in Mainstream Pop-Culture,” brings together veteran filmmaker Onir and screenwriter Gazal Dhaliwal, discussing how mainstream narratives can break stereotypes and create space for authentic queer expression.

In a heartfelt tribute to late filmmaker Shyam Benegal, a longtime supporter of Kashish, the festival will screen his 1983 classic “Mandi.” This gesture honors his legacy and his early efforts to create space for unconventional stories on Indian screens.

Mark your calendars and book your tickets if you haven’t already. Kashish Pride Film Festival will open at St. Andrews Auditorium in Bandra West on June 4, with screenings continuing at Cinepolis, Andheri West, and Alliance Française, South Mumbai from June 5 to 8.

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