The 17th KASHISH Pride Film Festival, one of the prominent film festivals in Mumbai and India, being held between June 3rd to June 7th this year, has announced their 3 venues for this year’s edition: Liberty Cinema and Alliance Française, along with addition of a new venue National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), all three being iconic venues in South Mumbai.
Sridhar Rangayan, festival director expressed his happiness over this new development, “The much loved establishment of National Gallery of Modern Art coming on board this year as the third venue is hugely welcome, as it allows our programming to reach new spaces, and we hope this collaboration continues for years. Liberty Cinema for the 10th year and Alliance Française for the 17th year (every year since the festival was founded in 2010) continues to hold space to invite audiences to celebrate stories that move us, connect us, and inspire us.”
Ms.Nidhi Choudhary, director of NGMA said, “We are pleased to host the 17th KASHISH Pride Film Festival at NGMA Mumbai, reaffirming our commitment to making museums inclusive and accessible spaces for diverse voices. This collaboration gains added significance as it coincides with ‘Lens & Legacy: Bollywood in Focus’, celebrating Indian cinema and Mumbai’s recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Films—bringing together art, cinema, and stories of identity in a shared cultural space.”
Ms.Mrulini Gore, partner at Liberty Cinema said, “We are delighted to welcome KASHISH back to our cherished venue ‘Liberty Cinema, Showplace of the Nation’. This event marks a special reunion and highlights our ongoing commitment to hosting vibrant and inclusive cultural celebrations.
Mr. Hoosein supported individual choices and the freedom to live authentically. He valued personal liberty, and Liberty Cinema stands as a testament to that. It is only fitting that the KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026 is held here, continuing his tradition of embracing diversity and fostering acceptance. We honour his spirit and dedication to inclusivity for all.”
Laurent Vergain, executive director of Alliance Française said, “17 years ago, Alliance Française de Bombay and KASHISH embarked on a journey fueled by a simple, shared belief: that cinema has the power to open hearts and dissolve borders. What began as a nascent collaboration has blossomed into a profound legacy of storytelling and solidarity. Over nearly two decades, we have watched KASHISH evolve into a vital platform for the LGBTQ+ community, and we remain dedicated to providing a space where marginalized voices are celebrated. Our continued association is more than a partnership; it is a testament to our enduring commitment to fostering an inclusive cultural landscape where every identity is celebrated and every story finds its home.”
The theme for #KASHISH2026 is “Reflect, Resonate, Rejoice!”, is an invitation to embrace the full emotional spectrum of queer life. It encourages us to look back with honesty and honour our legacy, to let our truths echo through collective experience, and to celebrate the vibrant, resilient joy that binds us as a community. It is a journey that transforms the personal into the universal.
The film program is being currently curated and will be revealed soon.
More information about the festival can be found at http://mumbaiqueerfest.com
About KASHISH Pride Film Festival
KASHISH Pride Film Festival is South Asia’s biggest LGBTQ+ film festival, and the first LGBTQ+ film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theatre. It is the first Indian LGBTQ+ festival to be held with approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India. Founded in 2010, KASHISH has grown to become an important medium for exhibition, production and distribution of LGBTQ+ films and the most needed platform to nurture the Indian LGBTQ+ movement. KASHISH has been voted as one of the Top 5 LGBTQ+ Film Festivals in the World, and also one of the Top 5 Film Festivals in India.
