Mumbai: The 16th edition of the KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, South Asia’s largest LGBTQ+ film event, kicked off this week on June 4 with an evening filled with powerful stories, heartfelt tributes and vibrant performances.

The opening night at Mumbai’s Liberty Cinema brought together filmmakers, actors and allies to celebrate the growing influence of queer cinema. Among those present were Guneet Monga, Vikramaditya Motwane, Abhishek Chaubey, Shruti Seth, Onir, Sujata Mehta, Sudhanshu Saria and Siddharth Menon, along with festival director Sridhar Rangayan.

Also lending their support were advisory board members Arunaraje Patil, Meghna Ghai Puri (Whistling Woods), actor Renuka Shahane and producer Viveck Vaswani.

The Rainbow Voices Award was presented to actors Akash Menon and Tawseef Mir for their performances in We Are Faheem & Karun, directed by Onir. “This was more than just a debut, it was a journey of truth, identity and love,” said Menon. Mir added, “This story is so close to my heart. I’m grateful to everyone who believed in me.”

A special tribute honoured veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal. Actors Rajeshwari Sachdev and Rajit Kapur shared fond memories of working with him on the acclaimed Sooraj Ka Saatvan Ghoda, underscoring his lasting impact on Indian cinema.

One of the evening’s most touching moments came when trans activist and artist A Revathi received the Rainbow Warrior Award, presented by veteran activist Ashok Row Kavi. “Being honoured by my own community means so much to me,” said an emotional Revathi. “It inspires me to keep going.”

Actor and doctor Dr Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, widely praised for her role in Made in Heaven 2, was also felicitated. “To be embraced by my community in this way, there’s nothing more beautiful,” she said.

Another key highlight was the announcement of the KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant. Shubham Negi won the top prize of ₹2.5 lakh for the script Makeup Room. Runners-up Varsha Panicker (Operation: Gulzaar) and Rayyan Monkey (Us Girls) also received cash awards, with the jury adding an extra ₹1 lakh surprise contribution.

The night ended on a high with a graceful Bharatnatyam performance by Nalanda Kendra, followed by a rousing musical set from Rani KoHenur/Sushant Divgikar, leaving the audience energised.

With 152 films from 48 countries, along with panels and performances, KASHISH 2025 promises a vibrant, inspiring week for audiences and the LGBTQ+ community alike. The last day of the film festival is June 8. 

KASHISH 2025 is more than just a film festival, it’s a space where stories spark empathy, voices find strength, and communities come together. As this year’s vibrant edition unfolds, it offers not only great cinema but also a heartfelt celebration of identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling.