Queer Indie Film and Lit Fest returns to Hyderabad, an initiative the place Art Meets Heart

The Queer Women Collective (QWC), a Hyderabad-based initiative, is gearing as much as host the second version of Queer Indie Film and Lit Fest (QIFLIF) on October 12, at Prasad Labs. The pageant celebrates queer storytelling, artwork and efficiency.

The 2024 version drew over 300 attendees and this 12 months, the pageant is supported by Queer Nilayam, Society for Transgender Action and Rights (STAR), and Queer-Trans Wellness and Support Center (QT Center). The occasion will run from 10.30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What to count on

The pageant’s line-up consists of quite a lot of artistic occasions. There can be 9 movie screenings, the launch of the e book Surviving Loudly by Supriyo Chakraborty, an LGBTQIA+ rights advocate and marriage equality petitioner, and an array of performances , together with music, stand-up comedy, poetry, dance, and storytelling.

A dwell live performance will function artists reminiscent of Nique, Nihar, and Atulya. Additionally, the pageant will host an Art Exhibit and a flea market with over 40 queer and ally-led manufacturers. The schedule additionally includes a chat present titled ‘Queer History of Hyderabad’.

Speaking to The Hindu, Apoorva Gupta, Founder of QIFLIF and QWC, shared the private journey that led to the initiative. Gupta, who comes from Bhopal, felt a private want for a group as a queer girl. She recounted how, upon transferring to Hyderabad, she attended protests and dharnas however prevented events, which not often had any queer girls illustration.

The turning level was throughout COVID-19. “A whole lot of queer girls have been dealing with challenges as a result of they went again to their properties” and wanted a protected place to speak. QWC started with Zoom open mics, which transitioned into three to 4 hours of dialog. “We did our first one-hour open-mic occasion right here in Hyderabad, and we had about 50 individuals turning up, most of them queer girls,” Gupta recalled. This expertise solidified the idea that folks want this area, not simply to speak, however wish to come and be there.

The core theme

Storytelling is the core theme of the QIFLIF pageant, used to construct empathy and visibility. This is achieved by way of various varieties together with movies, books, discussions, music and dance. “As QIFLIF grows, we’re archiving voices, reclaiming areas and shaping native narratives,” she mentioned.

The group actively spotlights queer artists, notably trans group members and queer girls, although illustration is from throughout the spectrum. The principal standards is that folks from the LGBTQIA+ group are on the stage. Gupta additionally highlighted the significance of allies, who present solidarity by attending and establishing stalls.