NEW DELHI: The fourth edition of KASHISH International Queer Film Festival beginning tomorrow in Mumbai will screen a total of 132 films from forty countries.

While China is the country in focus with more than 12 films, there will be LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) films from Iran, Serbia, Slovakia, Pakistan and Morocco.

The Filmmaker in focus is American filmmaker and activist Jim Hubbard, who will be traveling to India to be present at the festival being held from 22 to 26 May.

The Parade from Serbia will open the festival while Rituparno Ghosh’s Chitrangada: The Crowning Wish will be the closing film.

The festival will be held at a Cinemax, Versova in Andheri from 22 to 26 May and at Alliance Française de Bombay from 23 to 25 May.
 
KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is the first and only gay and lesbian film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theatre and one of the first queer festivals to receive clearance from the ministry of information and broadcasting.

Festival programmer Saagar Gupta said:"This year KASHISH is programming the biggest collection of films and from countries that are very diverse, including countries where making films on LGBT themes is challenging. Also keeping in tune with this year’s themes of ‘Towards Change‘ there are several outstanding documentaries to watch out for including Vito, United in Anger, Call Me Kuchu, Hide & Seek, Invisible Men, Not A man in Sight and from India …And The Unclaimed. These films showcase stories of struggle, trauma and happiness of LGBT persons across the world."