Part of the London Indian Film Festival, Too Desi Too Queer explores the lives, loves, and experiences of South Asian LGBTQIA+ communities in the subcontinent and diaspora through a dynamic and thought-provoking selection of recent LGBTQIA+ short films. The programme showcases the diverse stories of South Asian LGBTQIA+ communities in the subcontinent and the diaspora, featuring an array of thought-provoking and dynamic short films, offering a glimpse into this vibrant community’s lives, loves, and experiences.
Directed by talented filmmakers from India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the Too Desi Too Queer programme offers a compelling lineup that celebrates the courage, resilience, and unique journeys of individuals within the South Asian LGBTQIA+ community. The films will be presented with English subtitles, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in the various languages spoken throughout the programme.
One of the programme’s highlights is Discovering Kali – 25 years of The Legendary Club, directed by Matt Mahmood Ogston. This captivating documentary delves into the rich history and heritage of Club Kali, a legendary LGBTQIA+ club, as seen through the eyes of its founders, performers, and attendees.
Another compelling entry is Her Canvas, directed by Sagar Devram Minde. In this nine-minute film, the protagonist, Myra, a visual artist, is engulfed in a surge of emotions on a melancholic evening. As she grapples with the past and the present, Myra strives to unravel the reality surrounding her.
Directed by Ibrahia Rana, Dear Dad takes audiences on a poignant journey as a young man confronts his dying father, marking a pivotal moment in his life. The film seamlessly weaves English and Urdu with English subtitles for accessibility.
In Look Like You, directed by Snigdha Kapoor, Tara, a queer outcast, breaks through the barriers of hesitation while visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son. She imparts valuable advice she has gathered from her own experiences growing up.
Mishaal Memon’s Shoot Your Shot captures the emotional rollercoaster experienced by two immigrant, queer teens as they navigate their budding relationship and learn how to skateboard. The film presents an engaging narrative that explores the universal feeling of butterflies in the stomach.
London Indian Film Festival opens on 22nd June 2023.
