Onir’s We Are Faheem & Karun wins big at ReelOut Queer Film Festival 2026; Kashmiri debut actor Sana Javeid honoured : Bollywood News

Filmmaker Onir’s forthcoming feature We Are Faheem & Karun has earned significant international recognition at the 27th edition of the ReelOut Queer Film + Video Festival, held in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Kashmiri debut actor Sana Javeid received the Kim Renders Memorial Award for Best Supporting Performance at the festival for her role in the film. The project competed alongside 65 narrative and documentary feature-length and short films from Canada and 15 other countries, marking a strong showing for the Indian queer drama on a global platform.

Onir’s We Are Faheem & Karun wins big at ReelOut Queer Film Festival 2026; Kashmiri debut actor Sana Javeid honoured

Onir’s We Are Faheem & Karun wins big at ReelOut Queer Film Festival 2026; Kashmiri debut actor Sana Javeid honouredFounded in 1999, the ReelOut Queer Film + Video Festival has evolved from grassroots community screenings into a nationally and internationally recognised event celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ stories from around the world. The award further cements the growing international presence of We Are Faheem & Karun on the festival circuit.

Set in the Kashmir Valley, the film tells a gay love story between Karun, a young security guard from southern India posted to a remote Kashmiri village, and Faheem, a local student whose quiet warmth draws him in. As their relationship develops, the two find themselves navigating faith, borders, and the rigid masculinity imposed by the institutions around them. The film is described as a quietly radical and deeply human narrative and is notable for being the first queer feature set in Kashmir.

Sana Javeid plays Faheem’s mother, a woman who silently accepts her son’s sexuality and seeks to protect him. A first-time actor, Sana was met by Onir in Srinagar, where she runs a heritage homestay. Her personality left a strong impression on the filmmaker, who later approached her when casting for the role. Having two sons of a similar age to the characters in the film and a background in school theatre, Sana agreed to take on the part. Speaking about her performance, Onir said, “So proud of Sana, while working with her in the first schedule I realised how natural she was and I decided to increase her role in the film.”

We Are Faheem & Karun has already travelled to over 30 international film festivals and has won multiple accolades, including the Best Director award at the UK Asian Film Festival. Following its successful festival run, Onir is planning to release the film theatrically around June 2026.

Also Read: Onir’s We Are Faheem & Karun becomes only Indian feature film to be selected for British Film Institute’s Flare 2025