Festival Director at KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival - Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival was founded in 2010 as an event to mainstream LGBTQ+ visibility through cinema. Over the past 12 years the event has grown to become a Pride Movement, not just in Mumbai, but across India and the world. Voted as one of World's Top 5 Coolest LGBTQ+ Film Festival South Asia's and India's biggest LGBTQ+ film festival An important event in Mumbai's cultural calendar The first LGBTQ+ film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theatre The first LGBTQ+ film festival in India to receive clearance from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting The first LGBTQ+ film festival in India to institute cash awards and have an eminent jury panel Twelve successful editions (2010 - 2021), including 2 online editions (2020 & 2021) Around 9500 average audience footfall; about 30% non LGBTQ+ participation The only LGBTQ+ film festival in India to be largely supported by corporate funding, international development agencies and brands First ever LGBTQ+ initiative in India to do crowdfunding Only LGBTQ+ initiative to receive wide media coverage with over 150 write-ups every year in all leading mainlines and online portalsKASHISH mission is to spread awareness and catalyze social change through cinema and discussions.