Shabana Azmi-starrer Signature Move is opening film at LGBTQ fest KASHISH 2017

Signature Move directed by Jennifer Reed also stars Fawzia Mirza and Sari Sanchez (from the hit TV series Empire).

The opening night film will be screened at Mumbai's iconic art deco theatre Liberty Cinema on May 24, 2017. The five day film festival that will screen 147 films from 45 countries will be held in South Mumbai at two venues - Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise.

"This is a deeply important story about love and families. One of these families is South Asian - such a beautiful culture. I am so honored to be a part of this film and to bring it now back to South Asia," said Jennifer Reed the director of the film.

Shabana Azmi, plays a "sweet and TV-obsessed mother in Chiacago" whose daughter (played by Fawzia Mirza) falls in love with a Mexican woman (played by Sari Sanchez). Shabana Azmi is acting in a LGBTQ film 21 years after the acclaimed film Fire (1996).

According to Jennifer Reed, "the film is a lesbian love story between a desi American Muslim immigration lawyer and Mexican‐American bookstore owner in a peaceful diverse Chicago."

"We are thrilled to be presenting the Indian Premiere of the film SIGNATURE MOVE starring our iconic actress Shabana Azmi who gives a compelling performance as mother of a lesbian daughter. The film highlights this year's theme of Diverse, One with a story of same-sex, racially diverse relationship, and the importance of acceptance by family members," Sridhar Rangayan, festival director of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival.

For Canadian desi actor Fawzia Mirza the film was a return to roots and is planning a trip to Mumbai for the opening of the film.

"I am deeply inspired by my culture, by my family, by my roots. I am of the East and of the West. To screen my first feature film in India, in Mumbai, as the opening night film of KASHISH is a dream," said Fawzia Mirza, who has also co-written the movie.

"I was blessed to tell this story and play this character and to have the great film legend, Shabana Azmi play my mother in the film. The role she has played in changing the narrative for marginalized communities around the world is inspirational. I believe in the power of comedy and art and storytelling as a way to create change in our communities.

"If I tell my story, hopefully it connects with audiences and shows them they are not alone in the world. I've never been to India, so it's going to be an amazing experience to watch the KASHISH audience watch the film," added Fawzia Mirza.

The theme of KASHISH 2017 explores the diversity of the LGBTQ communities.