Best of KASHISH – International Mumbai International Queer Film Festival

KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is delighted to present a program of 6

international shorts that won awards or special mention at KASHISH 2020 Virtual, showcasing the

diversity of global LGBTQIA experiences in Brazil, Macedonia, Taiwan, UK and USA. Watch these films for 48 hours at Kala Ghoda Unlocked.

To access these films audiences will have to create a Vimeo profile.

BREAKWATER  

Director: Cris Lyra  

27 min / 2019 / Brazil / Portuguese / Narrative Short  

A group of young lesbians from São Paulo go on a trip to a  

remote beach for the New Year's celebration. While they  

wait, they relax, make music and build emotional refuge  

for themselves. They own their bodies, their memories and  

they feel free.  

Winner: Best Documentary Short at KASHISH 2020 Virtual  

NEON HEARTS  

Director: Ana Jakimska  

17 min / 2019 / Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic  

of / Macedonian / Narrative Short  

Petar is a middle aged man who spends a lot of time on the  

road with his truck. Away from home and his family, he  

lives a secret life in which he is free to be himself.  

However, one night, when his son goes missing, he is ready to risk everything to "make things right". Special Mention: Best Student Short at KASHISH 2020 Virtual  

THE SUMMER OF 12  

Director: Kuan-Ling Kuo  

25 min / 2019 / Taiwan / Chinese / Narrative Short  

On just another day training in the pool for the young  

members of the swimming team, the cusp of early puberty  

threatens to turn innocent friendship and camaraderie into  

something much more. Sixth-grader Yu-Hsuan has a closely  

guarded secret, but this tide of feelings inside is brewing into a storm.  

Winner: Best Student Short at KASHISH 2020 Virtual  

MY BROTHER IS A MERMAID  

Director: Alfie Dale  

20 min / 2019 / UK / English / Narrative Short  

My Brother is a Mermaid is a social realist fairytale about a  

trans-feminine teenager, as seen through the eyes of their  

7 year old brother. Set in a desolate and prejudiced coastal  

town, the film examines how a child's unconditional love  

can be a powerful and disruptive force for good.  

Special Mention: Best International Narrative Short at KASHISH 2020 Virtual  

WE ARE DANCERS  

Director: Joe Morris  

30 min / 2019 / UK / English, German / Narrative Short  

Berlin 1933, the day after the Reichstag fire, drag queen  

Hansi Sturm, devastated by his lover's betrayal, must come  

to terms with the violently changing times while facing  

Nazi persecution.  

Special Mention: Best International Narrative Short at KASHISH 2020 Virtual  

TOUCHSCREEN  

Director: Arthur Halpern  

15 min / 2019 / USA / English / Narrative Short  

After an unusual online encounter, a lonely man is  

challenged to step out from behind his computer screen  

and shatter long-lived inhibitions to claim the touch of  

another human being.  

Winner: Best International Narrative Short at KASHISH 2020 Virtual  

ABOUT KASHISH MUMBAI INTENTIONAL QUEER FILM FESTIVAL  

KASHISH Mumbai Intentional Queer Film Festival is South Asia's biggest queer film festival and the only LGBT film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theatre. It has been voted as one of the Top 5 coolest LGBT Film Festivals in the World and has been listed as one of the Top 5 film festivals in India.  

Founded in 2010, KASHISH has grown from strength to strength over the last 11 years. Held usually across five days simultaneously at two venues, the festival programs around 160 - 180 films from 40- 50 countries and attracts close to 10000 footfalls each year. It is the first Indian LGBTQ festival to receive approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India, and the first ever mainstream LGBTQIA+ film festival in India.  

STAY IN TOUCH  

KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival  

Festival Website: /mumbaiqueerfest.com  

Facebook: /KASHISHmiqff  

Twitter: /KASHISHmiqff  

YouTube: /KASHISHfilmfest