The Mumbai international queer film festival Kashish, the biggest cine event in India showcasing queer and celebration across several platforms of artistic experiences and expressions, will begin in Mumbai from April 22.

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The four-day festival, which promises to sensitise people to the issues of homosexuals, mirroring their problems, will present 110 films from over 25 countries at two venues in Mumbai.

Hindi film actress and homosexual rights activist Celina Jaitley unveiled the festival trailer here on Thursday.

"This is a festival which brings together filmmakers, writers, intellectuals, academicians, activists, celebrities and stars with both queer and mainstream audience in an interactive celebration of queer experience," Jaitley said.

The USP of the festival is its aim to make 'homosexual culture' mainstream by screening films at 'mainstream' venues such as PVR Cinemas in Juhu and Alliance Francaise, Marine Lines.

This is the first time in India that such a film festival is being held in a multiplex theatre. Each of the films screened explores the life stories and experiences of homosexual, bisexual and transgendered characters, highlighting not only the difficulties but also the sheer currents of diversity real life offers, when one finds himself or herself different from the flow around, festival directors Sridhar Rangayan and Vivek Anand said.

"The landmark judgment of the Delhi high court of July 2, 2009, decriminalising homosexual acts among consenting adults now needs to be followed up by efforts like Kashish queer film festival that will create awareness and act as a platform to sensitise mainstream society on queer issues and increase levels of acceptance," Anand, chief executive officer of the Humsafar Trust, said.

Rangayan, director, Solaris Pictures, said, "It is a fantastic opportunity to 'mainstream' queer visibility. The festival is not only for queer people but for everyone who is interested in seeing, knowing, and understanding queer experiences and expressions. We have specially packaged films that are contemporary, edgy, funny, dramatic, colourful, insightful and, above all, entertaining."

Kashish has started the process of delegate registration across Mumbai and claims to have received encouraging support from both the homosexual and mainstream communities.