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The Out & Loud – Pune International Queer Film Festival concluded its 9th edition with an inspiring celebration of cinema, identity, and solidarity. Organized by Mist LGBTQ Foundation, this year’s edition not only showcased an impressive lineup of films but also marked a milestone in community-driven activism through its official collaboration with Pune Queer Pride.
Launched in 2017, Out & Loud has evolved from a small, passionate initiative into an internationally recognized platform for queer voices and stories. This year’s edition marked a historic first as the festival was officially included as a pre-event to Pune Queer Pride, bridging cinema and activism with deeper impact.
Held from May 23 to 25 at Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Rangamandir, Yerwada, the festival featured 48 curated films—18 Indian and 30 international—selected from over 160 global submissions. Two special films, Kuch Sapney Apne by Sridhar Rangayan and Saagar Gupta, and I Am Sirat by Deepa Mehta, were screened to full houses.
With generous support from Publicis Sapient, the festival seamlessly blended powerful storytelling with community dialogue and cultural expression.
Award Winners at Out & Loud 2025:
- A Life Inside Me directed by Jackie R. Bala bagged both Best Indian Feature Film and Best of Out & Loud 2025
- Amma’s Pride and ¡Quba! took home Best Indian Documentary and Best International Documentary respectively
- If (India) and That Split-up Place (International) won in the Short Film (Narrative) category
- Casebre won the Best International Feature Film (Narrative)
- Pietra was named Best Animation
The closing night included stirring performances by queer and ally artists, and the announcement of the festival’s annual Out & Loud People & Organization Recognition Awards, spotlighting individuals and organizations that have championed LGBTQ+ rights and visibility:
- Urmi Jadhav was named Out & Loud Warrior 2025
- Harish Panchabhai, Out & Loud Workplace Advocate 2025
- Sumaiya Parker, Out & Loud Ally 2025
- Anjali Jhangiani (Times of India), Out & Loud Journalist 2025
- Muktaa Charitable Foundation, Out & Loud Organization 2025
- Uttaraa Jadhav (Sweekar Pune), Out & Loud Parent 2025
With each passing year, Out & Loud continues to reaffirm that queer stories are vital—urgent, necessary, and transformative.
ED Times was proud to be their Blog Partner.
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