Mumbai’s Kashish Pride Film Festival Concludes with Grand Awards Ceremony

The 16th edition of the prestigious Mumbai-based Kashish pride film Festival came to a close with an exciting awards ceremony that saw a diverse range of winners emerge from the international and Indian film circuits. This year’s festival, which showcased a wide variety of LGBTQ+ films, featured a star-studded lineup of performers, music, and workshops.

Awards for the Best Narrative Features

• Icelandic trans drama “Odd Fish” took home the best narrative feature award. •

1. Directed by Snaevar Solvason, the film also earned a special jury mention for its screenplay.
2. The lead actor, Arna Magnea Danks, scored the best performance in a lead role.
3. The film’s win was a significant moment for the LGBTQ+ community, with Danks expressing gratitude to her director, co-star, and entire team.

• Brazilian feature “Baby” claimed the best screenplay award for writers Gabriel Domingues and Marcelo Caetano. •

1. The film’s lead actor, Joao Pedro Marian, received a special mention.
2. The actor expressed his gratitude from Brazil, highlighting the film’s impact on people worldwide.
3. Director Marcelo Caetano, who previously visited India, hopes to return to work on a project in the country.

Documentary Features and Shorts

• Serbian documentary “Warm Film” by Dragan Jovićević won the best documentary feature award. •

1. “I feel privileged because this is the first award for the film outside Europe and super happy that it comes from India because I know how much Indians love cinema,” said Jovićević.
2. “The film showcases the importance of understanding and accepting our differences,” Jovićević added.

• Indian films also shone in the documentary short category, with “B and S” by Lipika Singh Darai taking the top spot. •

1. “The film tells the story of two individuals from different walks of life who come together and find common ground,” Darai said.
2. “It’s a message of hope and unity, and I’m honored to have received this award,” Darai added.

Awards for Emerging Indian Filmmakers

• Saikat Mondal won the Riyad Wadia award for best emerging Indian filmmaker for his film “Jalsa.”

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1. “Jalsa” is a poignant exploration of the complexities of relationships and the power of love,” Mondal said.
2. “I’m grateful for this award, which acknowledges my hard work and dedication to filmmaking,” Mondal added.

• The Ismat Chughtai award for best woman filmmaker of Indian origin was shared between Shoi for “Project Priyo” and Joey Kaushik for “The Witch of Vihar Lake.”

Awards and Recognition for LGBTQ+ Films

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Other Awards and Initiatives

• The Kashish QDrishti Film Grant went to “Make-Up Room” written by Shubam Negi, with runners-up “Us Girls” by Rayyan Monkey and “Operation: Gulzar” by Varsha Panikar each receiving INR75,000 ($875). •

“Make-Up Room” is a heartwarming story about a group of LGBTQ+ individuals who come together to create a safe space for themselves and others,” said Negi.

• The ceremony featured performances by LGBTQ+ dance group The House of Sway and music band Bombay Noor.

• The trailer launch for upcoming Prime Video documentary series “In-Transit,” produced by Tiger Baby Productions, was also showcased.

The Jury and Performers

• The festival’s jury included prominent industry figures such as Abhishek Chaubey, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Vikramaditya Motwane, Tanuja Chandra, and Shruti Seth across various categories.

• The jury’s diverse range of expertise and experience was evident in the selection of winners.

Conclusion

The 16th edition of the Kashish Pride film festival was a resounding success, with its awards ceremony showcasing the best of LGBTQ+ films from around the world. The festival’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity through film was evident in the selection of winners and the range of performances and initiatives that took place during the event. As the festival comes to a close, it is clear that the spirit of Kashish Pride Film Festival will continue to inspire and uplift the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.