There is indeed a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow this week, as the Kashish queer film festival returns in its third year in association with Bombay Dost, Solaris Pictures and The Humsafar Trust. Running from May 23 to May 27, the festival will showcase hundred and twenty films from thirty countries featuring France as its country of focus and will be screened at Cinemax Versova and Alliance Francaise (New Marine Lines). The best part: it’s open to all and costs close to nothing. Oui our family!

Rainbow Rendezvous

Opening night (May 23 at Cinemax Versova, 9.30 pm) will see a screening of Oscar-winning film Beginners (2010) starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer, however, this event is by invitation only. Other top draws at the festival (and open to all) are twenty-three full-length films featuring Gigola (France), set in the 1960’s underbelly of Paris (May 25 at Cinemax Versova, 8.30 pm and on May 26 at Alliance Francaise, 6.30 pm); Men to Kiss (Germany), a romantic comedy about a chaotic relationship (May 26 at Cinemax Versova, 8.30 pm); and August (USA), a drama about re-union after a painful break-up (May 24 at Cinemax Versova, 11 pm). There are also quite a few short film packages like Girls Shorts, Rainbow Warriors and Unfair Games, among others. Interesting is the new category of nine animated shorts titled QToons, one of which features a gay orange, and another is about The Happiest Gay Couple In All The World.

Window of Hope

Due to the overwhelming response that the festival has received this year, they have shut online registrations but are allowing spot registrations on May 24 at Cinemax Versova and Alliance Francaise, so get there early by 10.30 am to claim your delegate pass, which entitles you entry to all days of the festival. These spot registrations will be given against a small donation of Rs 100 which will go towards a peer HIV support group.

And finally, an LGBT festival without a party? That doesn't sound right. So to kick things off there’s a Kashish festival bar night organised at Banana Bar on Linking Road on May 24, where trailers of films from the festival will be screened and the community’s favourite hits by Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry will be played. Fabulous!

Getting there: Kashish Mumbai International Film Festival will take place at Cinemax Versova, Screen 1, third floor, Infinity Mall, Link Road, Andheri (W) from May 23 – 27 and at Alliance Francaise de Bombay, 40, Theosophy Hall, New Marine Lines from May 24 – 26, screenings at both venues will start from 10 am onwards, view the full schedule here, visit the website here, Rs 100 for spot registration on May 24 at Cinemax Versova, launch party at Banana Bar, Linking Road, Khar (W), 9.30 pm, Rs 400 entry for the bar night (includes a Carlsberg beer and a raffle draw ticket).