The Queer Women Collective (QWC), a Hyderabad-based initiative, is gearing up to 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 anticipate
The pageant’s line-up consists of quite a lot of artistic occasions. There will likely be 9 movie screenings, the launch of the guide 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 reside live performance will characteristic artists resembling 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 contains a chat present titled ‘Queer History of Hyderabad’.
Speaking to The Hindu, Apoorva Gupta, Founder of QIFLIF and QWC, shared the non-public journey that led to the initiative. Gupta, who comes from Bhopal, felt a private want for a neighborhood as a queer lady. She recounted how, upon shifting to Hyderabad, she attended protests and dharnas however averted events, which not often had any queer ladies illustration.
The turning level was throughout COVID-19. “A lot of queer women were facing challenges because they went back to their homes” and wanted a protected place to discuss. QWC started with Zoom open mics, which transitioned into three to 4 hours of dialog. “We did our first one-hour open-mic event here in Hyderabad, and we had about 50 people turning up, most of them queer women,” Gupta recalled. This expertise solidified the assumption that individuals want this area, not simply to discuss, however need 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 means of various kinds together with movies, books, discussions, music and dance. “As QIFLIF grows, we are archiving voices, reclaiming spaces and shaping local narratives,” she mentioned.
The neighborhood actively spotlights queer artists, notably trans neighborhood members and queer ladies, although illustration is from throughout the spectrum. The primary standards is that individuals from the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood are on the stage. Gupta additionally highlighted the significance of allies, who present solidarity by attending and establishing stalls.
