May 27 (AZINS) As many as 160 LGBTQ films from across 43 countries will be screened at KASHISH, Mumbai's International Queer Film Festival 2019. The festival will start on June 12 and will end on June 16. The list includes 31 short and feature-length films from India. South Asia's biggest LGBTQ film festival will be held at two of the city's iconic theatres — Liberty Carnival Cinemas and Metro Inox.

"As every year, KASHISH will bring the best of Indian and International LGBTQ films to Mumbai for the audience to enjoy on the big screen at two iconic theaters. Post section 377 verdict, it is time to rejoice, and we have several very affirmative films celebrating the diversity of LGBTQ lives. I encourage everyone to register and enjoy these world-class films. It surely will be a magical experience", said Sridhar Rangayan, the festival director. 

This year, the festival received over 700 submissions from across the world. "The films were selected by a preview committee. India, with 31 films, is leading the list. It is followed by the United States of America with 24 films, and Canada with 14 films. KASHISH 2019 will screen films from countries, where LGBTQ persons face legal persecution; places like Jamaica, Iran, Myanmar, Kenya, Ghana, Lebanon, and Papua New Guinea," said Saagar Gupta, Director of Programming. "Just Friends" a romantic comedy from Netherlands will be the opening film, and acclaimed Malayalam film "Njan Marykutty" (I Am Marykutty), starring award-winning actor Jayasurya and directed by Ranjith Sankar will be the closing film. 

"The opening and closing films reflect the KASHISH 2019 theme "Over the Rainbow" aptly. "Just Friends" is about how important it is for families to come together to accept their gay children. "Njan MaryKutty" is also about a family's struggle to accept their transgender child, but more so about society's perception of LGBTQ persons. These two films, that bookend the 160 films from across 43 countries screening at the festival, marks the journey of acceptance that individuals, families, and society has to make so that every human being can find love and live with dignity", said Rangayan.

The KASHISH 2019 theme is "Over The Rainbow" that commemorates not only the reading down of Sec 377 and decriminalisation of same-sex relationships in India but also defines the challenges in store for the LGBTQ community's journey towards empowerment and social acceptance"The law having been read down has opened many doors, and there is great enthusiasm about the 10th anniversary of KASHISH from filmmakers and supporters across the globe. KASHISH 2019 promises to be a heady mix of entertainment and information. There will also be 'KASHISH Interact' panel discussions and 'KASHISH Konversations' with Indian and International filmmakers", added Rangayan.

KASHISH is presently raising funds through crowdfunding on Wishberry to organise the festival.