As the new year unfolds, Mumbai is set to be painted in vibrant rainbow colours with the commencement of its annual Queer Pride Month. A series of events organised by various community groups and organisations across the metropolis will build up to the grand finale: the Mumbai Queer Pride March on Saturday, January 31. The march will take place from 3 pm to 5 pm at the historic August Kranti Maidan.
KASHISH Film Festival Sets the Stage for Pride
Leading the charge for the celebrations is the renowned KASHISH Pride Film Festival, a core member of the Mumbai Queer Pride collective. The festival will officially inaugurate Pride Month with a special LGBTQ+ film screening titled 'KASHISH Forward @ Sophia'. This event is scheduled for Friday, January 9, from 1 pm to 3.30 pm at the convention centre of a prominent women's college in Mumbai.
The curated screening will showcase seven acclaimed short films by emerging Indian filmmakers. Each of these films has earned awards or critical recognition at the annual KASHISH Pride Film Festival. Collectively, they present a rich tapestry of queer experiences across the LGBTQ+ spectrum in contemporary India, weaving narratives anchored in hope, resilience, and affirmation.
Award-Winning Films Highlight Diverse Queer Narratives
The lineup features a powerful mix of regional and multilingual cinema. The films to be screened are:
- MAKEUP MY SHIELD (Marathi, directed by Kunal Vijaykar): A powerful music video portraying a trans Lavani dancer using makeup as both armour and expression.
- TUTTI FRUTTI CAKE (Hindi, directed by Rohit Prajapati): A celebration of the strength found in chosen families within the LGBTQ+ community.
- THE WITCH OF VIHAR LAKE (Marathi, directed by Joey Kaushik): A film that intertwines themes of environmental conservation with local folklore.
- PROJECT PRIYO (Assamese, Bengali, Malayalam, Hindi, directed by Shoi): A co-winner of the Ismat Chughtai Award for Best Woman Filmmaker, this film amplifies voices of queer and trans* individuals across India, addressing intersections of caste, religion, and marginalisation.
- HOLY CURSE (English, Hindi, directed by Snigdha Kapoor): A critically acclaimed short film that was in consideration for the Best Live Action Short category at this year's Academy Awards. It follows an 11-year-old grappling with gender identity as their family seeks a 'cure'.
- JASMINE THAT BLOOMS IN AUTUMN (Bengali, directed by Chandradeep Das): Winner of the Best Indian Narrative Short award, it presents a quiet, evocative story of companionship between two women in an elderly shelter home.
- BECAUSE (Hindi, English, directed by Sunita Malpani): A sensitive depiction of the bond between a visually impaired man and his closeted friend.
Celebrating Visibility and Community
With this compelling selection, KASHISH Forward @ Sophia promises to offer a meaningful and inclusive launch to Mumbai's Queer Pride Month. The event underscores the city's ongoing commitment to fostering visibility, encouraging dialogue, and celebrating the diversity of queer lives. The film festival acts as a crucial cultural precursor, building momentum and community spirit ahead of the main Pride March at the end of January, where thousands are expected to gather in a powerful display of solidarity and joy.
