From ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ to ‘Call Me By Your Name,’ ‘Bottoms’ to ‘Moonlight,’ the past decade has allowed for queer stories across genres to grace the silver screen. While there is still obviously a long way to go, these stories have proven to majorly benefit both LGBTQ+ and non-queer audiences. They facilitate understanding and foster connection and empower children and adults alike, bringing us at least one step closer to a more inclusive future. There’s no denying the positive impacts of honest representation on the screen.
Yet, when we consider the narratives that get platformed today, how many of us can say we feel truly represented? Cultures across South Asia differ greatly from that of the Western stories we are often expected to find relatable by virtue of their characters’ queerness. But would an Indian family really handle coming out like that? Would a Pakistani child experience their gay awakening in that way; would a Sri Lankan sapphic romance unfold the way an American one does? And when our stories are told, especially on the global scale, they often play into tragedy. This is frustrating because while this can be the unfortunate truth of many LGBTQ+ South Asians’ experiences, suffering is not a pre-requisite to queer brown existence.
The QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab is a creative incubator seeking six queer and trans South Asian writer-directors to elevate joyful, celebratory narratives. Launched in 2023 by The Queer Muslim Project and funded by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity as well as the Goethe-Institut New Delhi, the Lab will offer talented creators the tools and networks they need to make their creative visions come into fruition. QueerFrames is offering a bridge across the barrier of access that prevents many South Asian voices from shining the way they rightfully should. This program will spotlight underrepresented creators and is a fully-funded opportunity available to anyone with citizenship from a South Asian country.
The Lab is a creative incubator designed to help budding creators develop their first or second feature-length film. From November 2024 to February 2025, the Fellows will virtually attend workshops, masterclasses, and a tailored screenwriting curriculum delivered by significant voices in the industry. They will develop their projects through one-on-one consultations with mentors and peer groups within their cohort. Moreover, after building a robust writing and producing skill set, fellows will attend and network at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in 2025.
Sound too good to be true? It doesn’t have to be. Whether your writing is rooted in lived experience or hopeful fantasy, it can offer insight, a point of relation, or a slice of comfort to an audience somewhere. South Asian voices need to be heard, not just within their communities but on a global scale. Applications are open from now until October 11, 2024.
If you have a story the world needs to hear, you can apply here.
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