National, 21st June 2024: PVR INOX Limited, the largest and the most premium cinema exhibitor in India is thrilled to announce the launch of India's first Pride Film Festival, a specially curated lineup of powerful films and performances.
The weeklong festival begins Friday, June 21st with some of the best films that define diverse stories, narratives, and insights of LGBTQ+ communities. Audiences in 13 cities will get to see the best and most poignant of pride-themed films including Moonlight, Love Lies Bleeding, Badhaai Ho, All of Us Strangers, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui and Kaathal - The Core.
For this festival, PVR INOX Limited is partnering with the Kashish Pride Film Festival, which has several initiatives to keep the mainstream communities engaged in issues around LGBTQ+ issues through the medium of films. We will screen four of their exceptional films in this festival including Antaram (Malayalam, Tamil), Dvandua (Kannada), Evening Shadow (Hindi), and Ek Jagah Apni(Hindi).
The highlight of the film festival is the special showcase with acclaimed filmmaker Onir of his notable film 'My Brother Nikhil', a sensitive film with brilliant performances. The film will be screened at PVR INOX cinemas in Infinity Mall in Andheri at Mumbai and Basant Lok in New Delhi.
To enhance the festival experience, PVR INOX Limited is introducing several engaging initiatives, the most unique being its logo innovation to integrate the pride theme. Other initiatives include a special video mashup of all the films featured in the festival played before each movie screening and limited-edition gift cards.
Cinema staff members will wear rainbow-colored badges during the screenings, symbolizing solidarity and support for LGBTQ+ rights. The themed concessions include rainbow-colored popcorn tubs, a new rainbow shake or ice cream with colorful sprinkles, Gems and Skittles. Select cinemas will feature message boards where audiences can share their messages of love for the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, a tattoo bar will be set up at select cinemas for patrons to get temporary tattoos celebrating the theme of pride.
"We take pride in curating this array of very special films that go beyond the ordinary and deliver a special message of diversity and inclusion. We hope to give our audiences a unique cinematic experience through these fabulous films that celebrate love in all its forms" Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director, PVR INOX Limited commented at the announcement of the pride festival.
"The Pride Film Festival is a testament to our dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. We believe in the power of storytelling to bridge gaps and bring communities together. With our range of engaging initiatives and themed offerings, we aim to create a memorable and impactful experience that celebrates love, diversity, and the vibrant spirit of the LGBTQ+ community", said Nayana Bijli, Lead - Distribution and Licensing,PVR INOX Ltd.
"I am happy that my film 'My Brother Nikhil' returns to the cinemas through this wonderful festival by PVR INOX Limited. I look forward to watching the film with my audiences and listening to their voices and stories as they celebrate their unique identities at this one-of-a-kind platform" filmmaker Onir said while appreciating the film festival.
KASHISH Pride Film Festival is proud to collaborate with PVR INOX to facilitate the screening of 4 films - ANTHARAM, DVAMVDA, EK JAGAH APNI & EVENING SHADOWS - from the KASHISH archives at the Pride Film Festival. It is always a joy watching films on the big screen in theatres and we are obliged to PVR INOX for this initiative. We are delighted by this opportunity to showcase these wonderful award-winning films to audiences across India and help the filmmakers with this unique distribution opportunity. KASHISH always believes in nurturing independent LGBTQ-focused cinema and have worked with filmmakers to distribute their films in India and across the world", said Sridhar Rangayan, founder festival director of KASHISH Pride Film Festival which has completed 15 years recently.
