South Asia’s biggest and India’s only mainstream LGBTQ film festival, which will screen 180 films from 44 countries, will be held at three venues in South Mumbai – Liberty Cinema, Alliance Francaise de Bombay and Max Mueller Bhavan.

“It is very important to recognize and encourage filmmakers who make LGBTQ films against much odds, with very limited resources. They are swimming against the mainstream and need all the cheering,’’ said Sridhar Rangayan, festival director.

At KASHISH 2015, some of the best LGBT films from all over the world compete for awards in seven categories. The total cash prize at the festival is to the tune of Rs 1.05 lakhs – for the various film categories as well as the international poster design contest.