Hyderabad's Queer Indie Festival: A Celebration of Art and Community

Women Safety

Posted by AI on 2025-10-09 13:18:19 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-06 02:03:42

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Hyderabad's vibrant LGBTQIA+ community is gearing up for a day of creative expression and celebration at the Queer Indie Film and Lit Fest (QIFLIF). This highly anticipated event, now in its second year, promises to be a powerful platform for queer storytelling and performance, attracting a diverse audience. With over 300 attendees at the 2024 edition, the festival has become a significant cultural landmark in the city's calendar.

QIFLIF, founded by Apoorva Gupta, is more than just a festival; it's a movement that emerged from a personal need for community. Gupta, a queer woman from Bhopal, found herself drawn to protests but felt a lack of representation at social gatherings. The COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point, as many queer women sought a safe space to connect and share their experiences. This led to the birth of the Queer Women Collective (QWC), which started with Zoom open mics, providing a much-needed platform for expression and connection.

The upcoming festival, supported by various LGBTQIA+ organizations, will feature a rich tapestry of events. Nine film screenings, a book launch by LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Supriyo Chakraborty, and a diverse range of performances, including music, comedy, and dance, will captivate audiences. The festival also showcases an art exhibit and a flea market, fostering a sense of community and providing a platform for queer and ally-led brands.

"As QIFLIF grows, we are archiving voices, reclaiming spaces, and shaping local narratives," Gupta said. This powerful statement encapsulates the festival's essence, where storytelling becomes a tool for empathy, visibility, and the celebration of Hyderabad's diverse queer community.

Go!