# A Highlight Guide to the Ongoing KASHISH Pride Film Festival, Showcasing Key Films from 43 Countries and the Venues Hosting Screenings Across Mumbai City: Mumbai · Author: Cityscope · Published: 25 Jun · Updated: 25 Jun · 7 min read > A cultural guide to KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026 in Mumbai, featuring 153 films from 43 countries. Explore must-watch picks, iconic venues, and the rise of queer cinema. **Tags:** Culture, Cultural Festivals, City Exploration ## A City Transformed: Where Cinema Becomes Community As the monsoon clouds gather over South Mumbai, a different kind of electricity fills the air. The iconic Art Deco façade of Liberty Cinema glows under rainbow lights, and a crowd spills onto the pavement—filmmakers, activists, allies, and cinema lovers who have turned this stretch of the city into a vibrant campus for queer storytelling. This is the opening night of the 17th KASHISH Pride Film Festival, running from June 3 to 7, and it has once again transformed Mumbai into South Asia’s largest stage for LGBTQ+ cinema. With 153 films from 43 countries, the festival is not just a screening event; it is a cultural anchor for Pride Month, a meeting ground where global and local narratives collide, and a powerful statement that queer stories belong in the heart of the city. ![Liberty Cinema facade glowing with rainbow lights as a diverse crowd gathers for the KASHISH Pride Film Festival opening night under monsoon skies in Mumbai.](https://cityscope-ai.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/article-images/2026/06/a34c7e2663f24ea8a3f95c5f45ad8900.png) The iconic Liberty Cinema transforms into the vibrant heart of KASHISH Pride Film Festival, welcoming audiences, filmmakers, and the community for the opening night celebrations. --- ## The Festival at a Glance: Scale, Scope, and Significance Founded in 2010, KASHISH has grown into the biggest LGBTQ+ film festival in South Asia. This year’s edition presents a staggering 153 films, including 57 in competition across features, documentaries, shorts, animation, and experimental work. The programming is organised into multiple sections, including a specially curated Panorama Section that showcases non-competition highlights. The festival’s reach extends far beyond India, with films from Spain, Iran, the United States, and across Africa and East Asia, reflecting a truly global conversation. KASHISH 2026 is explicitly positioned as a June Pride Month event, celebrating queer joy, memory, and resistance while providing a platform for Indian and South Asian storytellers to share their realities with an international audience. --- ## Venue Guide: Three Spaces, Three Experiences The festival experience is shaped by its three distinct venues in South Mumbai. Liberty Cinema serves as the beating heart of KASHISH. This historic single-screen theatre hosts the major opening and closing ceremonies, and its foyer and auditorium become a social hub where conversations continue long after the credits roll. For a more intimate, arthouse experience, Alliance Française de Bombay offers daily screenings from June 4–7, perfectly suited for nuanced documentaries, shorts programs, and in-depth Q&As. In a landmark move, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) joins as a venue for the first time, symbolising queer cinema’s powerful entry into mainstream cultural institutions and blurring the lines between film, visual art, and activism. ![Intimate screening room at Alliance Française de Bombay with an audience engaged in a post-film discussion, capturing the arthouse, conversational atmosphere of the festival.](https://cityscope-ai.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/article-images/2026/06/edb858a891574f9d9bb52452c96d3b39.png) Alliance Française de Bombay offers a space for intimate screenings and in-depth conversations, where nuanced queer documentaries and shorts find their ideal audience. --- ## Must-Watch Film 1: ‘Jimpa’ – A Global Spotlight on Opening Night The festival opened with a red-carpet ceremony at Liberty Cinema, followed by the screening of ‘Jimpa,’ a headline film starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow. As the opening night feature, ‘Jimpa’ represents KASHISH’s strategy to place globally recognised queer-adjacent cinema alongside independent regional work. The presence of major international stars helps draw new audiences into the festival, while the film itself, with its exploration of complex family dynamics, sets a sophisticated tone. For viewers seeking a marquee international experience, ‘Jimpa’ is the symbol of how global queer-inclusive cinema finds a welcoming, enthusiastic home in Mumbai. --- ## Must-Watch Film 2: ‘Maspalomas’ – European Nuance as the Closing Centerpiece Scheduled as the closing night film on Sunday, June 7, ‘Maspalomas’ is a Goya Award-winning Spanish feature directed by A. Arreg and Jose Goenaga. The film explores themes of ageing, desire, and friendship set against the backdrop of a resort town, bringing a nuanced European perspective to the festival’s closing moments. Its inclusion highlights how KASHISH brings award-winning international LGBTQ+ narratives into direct dialogue with local Indian stories. For audiences interested in the quieter, more introspective currents of queer cinema, ‘Maspalomas’ offers a contemplative, emotionally rich conclusion to the week, demonstrating that queer storytelling is as much about life’s later chapters as it is about coming out. --- ## Must-Watch Film 3: ‘Trans Kashmir’ – Intersectional Politics on Screen For viewers drawn to the intersection of gender identity, regional politics, and documentary activism, ‘Trans Kashmir’ is an essential watch. The film focuses on the lives of transgender individuals in Kashmir, connecting personal identity with the broader context of conflict and marginalisation. This documentary sits within KASHISH’s broader commitment to documenting underrepresented queer lives in South Asia, and it foregrounds trans stories from a region often missing from mainstream cultural discourse. ‘Trans Kashmir’ is a powerful example of how the festival uses cinema to correct erasures and amplify voices that challenge both state and social boundaries. --- ## Must-Watch Films 4 & 5: ‘Queer Parivaar’ and ‘A Monsoon Date’ – Indian Stories of Love and Revelation Two Indian narrative shorts stand out for their intimate, culturally rooted storytelling. ‘Queer Parivaar,’ whose title means ‘family’ in Hindi, focuses on chosen family and acceptance, offering a heart-warming, emotionally resonant portrait of how families evolve and redefine love. It speaks directly to Indian audiences navigating the complexities of kin and care. ‘A Monsoon Date’ uses Mumbai’s iconic rainy season as a metaphor for disclosure, following a woman carrying a significant secret through the charged, intimate space of a single evening. Together, these shorts represent the subtle, everyday queer and trans narratives that KASHISH champions—stories set in restaurants, taxis, and apartments rather than courts or protests, showing that transformation can be as quiet as the rain. --- ## Beyond the Screen: Panels, Workshops, and the Future of Queer Storytelling KASHISH is as much a festival of conversation as it is of cinema. The schedule includes panel discussions, masterclasses, and workshops that bring together filmmakers, activists, critics, and audiences to debate and shape the future of queer media. Topics range from queer storytelling on Indian OTT platforms to trans narratives and responsible casting, often directly linked to films like ‘Trans Kashmir.’ The opening night ceremony also honoured actor and filmmaker Konkona Sensharma, recognising her contributions to progressive cinema. These non-screening events function as the brain and conscience of the festival, creating spaces where community members and allies co-create new frameworks for representation, funding, and self-expression. --- ## Kashish and the Rise of Queer Cinema: From Fringe to Institution The 2026 edition of KASHISH is a powerful indicator of how far queer cinema has travelled. The festival’s 17-year history mirrors a shift from niche community gatherings to a major cultural institution that commands corporate, media, and arts partnerships. The inclusion of NGMA, a national art museum, as a venue for the first time signals that queer stories are being canonised as part of contemporary Indian art. With films from 43 countries, KASHISH is plugged into a global circuit of LGBTQ+ festivals, making Mumbai a significant stop for international filmmakers. The thematic range—from activist documentaries to family dramas and introspective European features—shows a decisive move beyond singular coming-out arcs toward multi-layered, intersectional storytelling that reflects the full complexity of queer lives. --- ## An Invitation: Step Into the Dark and Find Your Story Whether you are queer, questioning, or an ally, KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026 extends an open invitation to step into the dark of a cinema hall and find yourself reflected in stories from 43 countries. This week, South Mumbai is not just a location; it is a living, breathing campus of visibility and community. From the grand energy of Liberty Cinema to the quiet intensity of Alliance Française and the institutional recognition at NGMA, the festival offers a space for every kind of viewer. As the monsoon rains continue to fall, there is no better time to share a screen, engage in a conversation, and witness the vibrant, unstoppable rise of queer cinema in one of its most dynamic regional capitals. ![Illustration of diverse LGBTQIA+ characters sharing joy and popcorn in a cinema hall, with a rainbow film reel on screen, symbolizing community and queer storytelling.](https://cityscope-ai.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/article-images/2026/06/a7eb79f1eb2a404eb9bb480bba7ae77c.png) Queer joy, memory, and resistance take centre stage at KASHISH 2026, where cinema becomes a shared, transformative experience for audiences from all walks of life. ## Sources * [K26 List of Films - KASHISH Pride Film Festival](https://mumbaiqueerfest.com/k26-list-of-films/) * ['Jimpa,' 'Maspalomas' To Headline Kashish Pride Film Festival in Mumbai](https://deadline.com/2026/06/kashish-pride-film-festival-2026-lineup-1236938848/) * [Kashish 2026: 10 films to watch out for at South Asia's biggest LGBTQ+ film festival](https://www.mid-day.com/amp/entertainment/bollywood-news/photo/kashish-2026-10-films-to-watch-out-for-at-south-asia-biggest-lgbtq-film-festival-111350) * [KASHISH Pride Film Festival - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KASHISH%5FPride%5FFilm%5FFestival) * [KASHISH 2026 presents the Panorama Section](https://www.facebook.com/KashishFilmFest/posts/kashish-2026-presents-the-%F0%9D%99%8B%F0%9D%99%96%F0%9D%99%A3%F0%9D%99%A4%F0%9D%99%A7%F0%9D%99%96%F0%9D%99%A2%F0%9D%99%96-%F0%9D%99%8E%F0%9D%99%9A%F0%9D%99%98%F0%9D%99%A9%F0%9D%99%9E%F0%9D%99%A4%F0%9D%99%A3-%F0%9D%99%89%F0%9D%99%96%F0%9D%99%A7%F0%9D%99%A7%F0%9D%99%96%F0%9D%99%A9%F0%9D%99%9E%F0%9D%99%AB%F0%9D%99%9A-%F0%9D%99%81%F0%9D%99%9A%F0%9D%99%96%F0%9D%99%A9%F0%9D%99%AA%F0%9D%99%A7%F0%9D%99%9A%F0%9D%99%A8-a-specially-curate/976402261677711/) * [Once more, with pride | KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/magazine/leisure/story/20260608-once-more-with-pride-kashish-pride-film-festival-2026-2919269-2026-05-30) * [7 Indian Narrative Shorts To Watch At KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026](https://gaysifamily.com/culture/9-indian-narrative-shorts-to-watch-at-kashish-pride-film-festival-2026/) * [KASHISH Pride Film Festival: Home](https://mumbaiqueerfest.com) * [Kashish Pride Film Festival – Full Festival Pass announcement](https://www.facebook.com/KashishFilmFest/posts/due-to-overwhelming-public-demand-were-extending-the-early-bird-registrations-fo/960462726604998/) * [Colour, cinema and community mark the opening of KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026, Konkona Sensharma gets honoured](https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/ht+city-epaper-htcity/colour+cinema+and+community+mark+the+opening+of+kashish+pride+film+festival+2026+konkona+sensharma+gets+honoured-newsid-n714842278) * [K26 Schedule 2026 - KASHISH Pride Film Festival](https://mumbaiqueerfest.com/k26-schedule-2026/) * [KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026 opens in Mumbai with Jimpa and more](https://www.flickermagazine.art/post/kashish-pride-film-festival-mumbai-2026) * [Queer Joy, Memory & Resistance Take Centre Stage At The Kashish Pride Film Festival 2026](https://homegrown.co.in/homegrown-explore/queer-joy-memory-resistance-take-centre-stage-at-the-kashish-pride-film-festival-2026) * [Spain, Iran & India win big at KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026 - Saachi Baat](https://saachibaat.com/entertainment/spain-iran-india-win-big-at-kashish-pride-film-festival-2026/) * [Kashish Pride Film Festival 2026 to showcase 153 films from 43 countries](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/kashish-pride-film-festival-2026-to-showcase-153-films-from-43-countries/articleshow/131384590.cms) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the KASHISH Pride Film Festival? KASHISH Pride Film Festival is South Asia’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, held annually in Mumbai since 2010. The 17th edition in 2026 runs from June 3 to 7, showcasing 153 films from 43 countries across multiple venues in South Mumbai. ### Where are the KASHISH 2026 screenings taking place in Mumbai? Screenings and events are spread across three venues: Liberty Cinema, the iconic Art Deco main hub; Alliance Française de Bombay, which hosts intimate screenings and discussions; and the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), which joins as a venue for the first time this year. ### Which are the must-watch films at KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026? Key highlights include the opening night feature ‘Jimpa’ starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow, the Goya Award-winning closing film ‘Maspalomas,’ the documentary ‘Trans Kashmir,’ and the Indian shorts ‘Queer Parivaar’ and ‘A Monsoon Date,’ which explore chosen family and everyday queer experiences. ### Are there non-screening events like panels and workshops at the festival? Yes, KASHISH 2026 includes a robust program of panel discussions, masterclasses, and workshops. These sessions cover topics like queer storytelling on OTT platforms, trans narratives and responsible casting, and are designed to foster conversation and shape the future of queer media. ### How does KASHISH 2026 reflect the larger rise of queer cinema? The festival’s 17-year growth, the inclusion of a national art museum like NGMA, and a lineup spanning 43 countries show that queer cinema has moved from fringe to mainstream cultural institution. The thematic range now extends beyond coming-out stories to include joy, resistance, ageing, and intersectional identities. --- [View on Cityscope](https://www.cityscope.media/article/a-highlight-guide-to-the-ongoing-kashish-pride-film-festival-showcasing-key-films-from-43-countries-and-the-venues-hosting-screenings-across-mumbai) · Source: https://www.cityscope.media/article/a-highlight-guide-to-the-ongoing-kashish-pride-film-festival-showcasing-key-films-from-43-countries-and-the-venues-hosting-screenings-across-mumbai