[tps_footer]Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival returned for its fifth year with a large collection of about hundred and fifty five films from over thirty one countries.

Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is India’s only mainstream lesbian, gay and transgender film festival. It is one of the first to receive clearance from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The award instituted this year by Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival recognises the work of persons in furthering LGBT rights.

Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival chose to bestow the Rainbow Warrior Award on two remarkable individuals have mainstreamed queer visibility and been unapologetically outspoken – Ashok Row Kavi and Wendell Rodricks.

Celina Jaitley presented Ashok Row Kavi with a trophy and a rainbow sash at the glittering closing ceremony of the Fifth Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival at the iconic Liberty Cinema.

Celina Jaitley who has been vocal in her support of equal rights and the fight against section 377 that criminalises same sex relationships, said that “It was an honour to present the award to one of India’s first and for decades the only gay rights activist.

“We live in difficult times following the Supreme Court verdict recriminalising same sex relationships and a turbulent political climate,’’ said Ashok Row Kavi.

Wendell Rodricks who was in Bhutan and could not be present to receive his award sent a message: “My dear friends, from over the rainbow in Bhutan, I send you my best wishes. I regret that I am not with you all this evening to celebrate the closing ceremony of what has been a celebratory week of LGBT cinema from around the world. This year 2014 has truly begun as a year for the LGBT community in India.”[/tps_footer]