The Bangalore Queer Film Festival Kicks Off On Friday, And You Need To Clear Your Calendar For This

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What Is It?

The Bangalore Queer Film Festival is back, and we’re clearing out our weekend calendars for this. Ideally, so should you, especially when you’ve had a look at the line up of films that will be screened. Officially from March 9 to March 11, there’s a curtain raiser this evening {7.30pm}, at Shoonya, and it all kicks off with Shivaa full-length play written and directed by Daya Sakrepatna. It tells of how a young boy slowly comes out to his mother in letters he writes to her. The play is depicted with dialogue, dance and music, and looks well worth leaving work early for. Friday to Sunday, gear up for over 89 films across genres, photo exhibitions and performances.

Who Is It For?

No, you don’t need to be part of the queer community to watch these films, in case that was your first question. You just need to like good cinema, and interesting styles of storytelling. It’s also a great way to get a glimpse into the community, should you be a bit ignorant in that field.

Why Should I Go For It?

An annual event which always brings together community, queer or not, the BQFF is loaded with interesting films, exhibitions, performances and discussions. Serving as a platform to voice concerns about the LGBT community, we love to hit up this festival for the diversity, and lessons on being non-judgemental. Apart from that, there are 89 films to be watched and we can’t wait. Some of the films we’re looking forward to are Sweet Nothings, which is focussed on a separation of an interracial queer couple, The Comet, a film based on a short story about a man who feels from Somalia to Sweden to escape persecution of homosexuals, and Cab Ride, a stop-motion film which is really a letter to an estranged father. Expect films from across the globe — Myanmar to Peru and Canada to Australia. Plus, of course, representation from India, in the form of Turup, Tritiya and The Kinnaras of the Dark World, among others. Also keep your eyes peeled for five British Film Institute curated films, which were part of the London LGBTQ+ Film Festivals.  

Check out the entire schedule here.

When: Friday, March 9 to Sunday, March 11

Where: Max Mueller Bhavan/Goethe-Institut, CMH Road, Indiranagar

Timings: 9am onwards

Price: Free

Find the event on Facebook here.