Queer Expressions in Online Spaces - A talk session at QFFK 2024

The ever-expanding moral restrictions on cinema from state and non-state actors are constant contributor for weak queer participation in cinema. Queer cinema in Nepal faces multiple challenges, including limited yet stereotyped portrayal of LGBTQIA+ characters in Nepali films, and nominal participation of Queer individuals in cinema. Production practices in recent years show a different side to queer expression as more filmmakers are seeking alternatives to mainstream cinema.

Accessible online platforms have become highly sought after for queer and sexually open contents. Queer content producers have been fast to tap in with more queer materials released online in recent years than ever before in the history of cinema in Nepal. Their high approval comes as content creators see online spaces as an alternative to keep censorship and moral policing away. Yet the prospect of backlash from millions of homophobic audiences and new policies to control social media looms around.

Queer filmmakers and producers talk of the current scenario for queer expression/ cinema in Nepal – the way ahead and how online spaces might have a role to play. The talk discusses further into if online spaces are actually pivotal for open unrestricted expression as they further explore other queer cinema friendly avenues.

Speakers -

• Sushant Shrestha is a film producer whose work has been shown at Busan International Film Festival among others. He is an alumni of Berlinale talent Campus and has worked in film producing for over a decade.
  
  
• Pranaya R. Shakya, is a true trailblazer in Nepal’s creative and advocacy world! His media advocacy started in early 2000’s with Radio shows on young people. He since ventured into animation through Escape Animation, that led to winning Nepal’s first animation award in 2011. Pranaya has since focused his energy in starting Nepal’s sole queer -owned media company as Kaleidoscope Production which he co founded. He currently devotes himself to create LGBTQIA+ oriented stories for a more acceptable world.
  
  
• Gaurav Kandel (Youth Activist & Advisor to Queer Film Festival Kathmandu ’24) is a Docskool 2008 film workshop alumni. He has worked with several non profits and film/ art festivals for over a decade that directly/indirectly touch upon queer movement. He is also a Nepal consultant of the Emmy award winning show, Shark Tank.

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Navigating Our Missing Love – Feminism and Queer Feminism

At the Queer Film Festival Kathmandu - QFFK 2024 campaigned by Documentary Open School - Docskool, a keynote discussion titled "Navigating Our Missing Love: Feminism and Queer Feminism" was successfully organized jointly by Loom Nepal, the Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities (FSGMN), WOFOWON, SWASA Nepal, and Inclusive Steps Nepal, as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign 2024.

The program saw the participation of over 100 women with different gender identities including young women, members of sexual and gender minority groups, women with disabilities, female sex workers, and female laborers from the construction sector.

In the current context of Nepal's women's movement, which has progressed through various perspectives, the fear of weakening arises if we fail to advance women's issues in an integrated manner collectively. To strengthen feminist movements to maintain momentum, it is essential to unite intersectional feminist movements. Such collective efforts can spotlight women and queer’s lived experiences and challenges in public discourse, paving the way for solutions. This dialogue was organized to foster collective strength to address fragmented issues and fortify Nepal's feminist movement. The discussion emphasized the need for uniting all women's rights movements and campaigns as a non-negotiable step toward strengthening the broader feminist movement.

During the event:

• Sarita Dahal, Executive Director of Loom Nepal, presented the history as well as gaps or challenges and also the ways forward for the intersectional feminist movement in Nepal.
  
  
• Suhana Thapa Magar, from the Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities, spoke on the inception, current status, and integration of the queer feminist movement into the broader feminist discourse in Nepal.
  
  
• Prof. Dr. Bindu Pokharel, a gender studies scholar, offered insights on why it is vital to integrate issues from Nepal's feminist, queer feminist, and other intersectional feminist movements into mainstream discourse. She also outlined the way forward for bringing women's collective issues into the mainstream.

At the end of the program, feedback from participants was synthesized into the following key points regarding the future of Nepal's feminist and intersectional feminist movements:

• Inclusion in the Mainstream: The women's movement must address the concerns of marginalized communities, including those defined by caste, religion, class, gender, and sexual identity.
  
  
• Unity Across Feminist Movements: It is essential to create an environment where all feminist movements can come together to realize the collective goal of women's rights and gender equality.
  
  
• A Common Platform: Nepal’s feminist movement must unite diverse feminist movements to progress collectively as a shared movement.
  
  
• Incorporating Intersectional Issues: The core concerns of feminist, queer feminist, and intersectional feminist movements should be addressed with positivity and unity.
  
  
• Diversity and Collaboration: Effective coordination and collaboration are necessary to embrace diversity and differences in the movement.
  
  
• Human Rights Perspective: Equality and respect are universal issues that should not be limited to the rights of men and women alone. It is crucial to recognize intersectional issues as human rights and work collectively to ensure rights for all.

Nepal's 1st Queer Film Festival Kathmandu - QFFK 2024 commenced

Documentary Open School - Docskool launched the Nepal's first Queer film festival Kathmandu- QFFK 2024 to be held 6 - 9 December at Yalamaya Kendra, Patan Dhoka and Docskool, Thapathali alongside several satellite venues. 

Starting today the festival will present a collection of 51 feature films, documentary features and short projects including animations. They include projects made the world over, as artists explore diverse aspects of sexuality, sexual identity – choices, bodily autonomy among other issues. Queer cinema is a genre which emphasis non heterosexual narratives in film unlimited to portrayal of LGBTQIA+ identity alone – however most films focus on personal and collective identity and experience of LGBTQIA+ people.

 

Queer Film Festival Kathmandu - QFFK has partnered with several distribution firms to present films made after 2023. These include films such as S/he is still Her/E: The official Genesis P-Orridge Documentary on the life of highly influential and controversial transgressive queer artist, performer Genesis P-Orridge. The film was shown at Sheffield, and Tribeca Film festival earlier this year. Other feature documentaries include ‘If I die, it will be of Joy’ which deals with older women exploring sexuality and Warsha, a short film from Lebanon which won the best shorts award at Sundance in 2022. Majority feature films being shown will have their South Asia premiere at the festival. Films are being shown under 17 packages of short and feature projects. Entry to all screenings are free but required prior registration.

To register visit the festival website:
www.docskool.wordpress.com or whatsapp on +9779818966569 

Queer film festival Kathmandu is organised by Docskool, a collective of filmmakers working on cinema education and culture promotion since 2008. The festival is part of Docskool’s ‘Women in Cinema’ initiative which provides small grants and year long production accompaniment to women and queer filmmakers at pivotal stages of their career.  

Queer film festival will open today with Fawzia Mirza’s ‘Queen of my Dreams’ from Canada about a Pakistani immigrant family and a young girls exploration of her sexuality while coming to terms with her family history and her muslim, Pakistani – immigrant identity. The film will have a repeat screening on 9th December at Docskool premises.