Mumbai’s KASHISH Pride Film Festival marks its 16th edition in June 2025, showcasing 152 LGBTQ+ films from 48 countries. Opening with ‘Queer’ and closing with ‘Close To You,’ the festival emphasizes ‘Love = Peace’ and celebrates diverse stories. The event features Indian cinema, including Onir’s ‘We Are Faheem & Karun,’ and honors Shyam Benegal with a screening of ‘Mandi’.

Mumbai’s iconic KASHISH Pride Film Festival returns for its 16th edition this June, once again asserting its place as South Asia’s biggest LGBTQ+ film festival. The 2025 edition will run from June 4 to June 8, kicking off with an opening ceremony at St.Andrews Auditorium, Bandra, followed by screenings at Cinepolis, Andheri West and Alliance Française, Marine Lines.Global Highlights, Local VoicesA total of 152 films from 48 countries will be screened, with entries from as far afield as Iceland, Peru, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, and Palestine. The strong South Asian presence continues with films from India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. India leads the tally with 37 films, followed by the USA (34) and the UK (19). This year’s selection includes a dynamic mix of documentaries, short films, and narratives that reflect a broad and evolving LGBTQ+ experience.“Queer” to open, “Close To You” to closeThe festival opens with Queer, a film by Luca Guadagnino, featuring Daniel Craig, and concludes with Close To You, directed by Dominic Savage and starring Elliot Page, who also serves as producer.Other notable international titles include the Dutch documentary Out by Dennis Alink, and Odd Fish by Snævar Sölvason, set in an Icelandic coastal town.

A Movement, Not Just a Festival“KASHISH has always taken on challenges in its stride and emerged stronger,” said Sridhar Rangayan, Founder and Festival Director. “With our move back to the suburbs and a line-up that appeals to younger audiences, the festival hopes to infuse new energy. Sixteen years ago, we laid the first bricks of Indian queer cinema. Today, we’re witnessing an entire movement rising — brave, brilliant, and uncompromising.”This year’s theme, “Love = Peace,” carries added resonance. “Peace isn’t just the absence of conflict — it’s the presence of love,” said Saagar Gupta, Artistic Director. “Love for who we are, for each other, and for every identity that makes us whole.”Indian Cinema in FocusThe Indian Narrative Centrepiece is Onir’s award-winning We Are Faheem & Karun, while the International Narrative Centrepiece is Three Kilometers To The End Of The World by Romanian director Emanuel Pârvu.KASHISH will also pay tribute to its patron Shyam Benegal with a screening of his landmark 1983 film Mandi, featuring a star-studded cast including Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Neena Gupta, Naseeruddin Shah, and Pankaj Kapur.Open to AllThe festival promises a celebration of diverse LGBTQ+ stories and offers discounted registrations for students, senior citizens, and transgender persons. With a compelling mix of cinema, conversation, and community, KASHISH 2025 aims to be more than a festival—it’s a space for visibility, pride, and cultural dialogue.