A short film on a Palestinian woman and her long-lost brother and a Bollywood-style mujra by a UK-based contemporary kathak dancer on Monday kicked off an online arts and culture festival to celebrate the Pride month in the backdrop of a global pandemic.

The festival is being organised by the British Council and The Queer Muslim Project.

“The festival is a celebration of love, equality and freedom in these times of a global pandemic,” said Rafiul Alom Rahman, founder and director of the project.

A 20-minute film titled Nowhere, directed by Christopher Manning, was released on British Council Arts YouTube channel on Monday. The film traces the journey of a Palestinian woman who crosses the Israeli border illegally to find her brother, who she hopes will be her ticket to a new life. Her dreams take a hit when she finds out her brother is gay.

The day’s second event was live streaming of a performance by Raheem Mir on British Council’s Instagram account.

“During this challenging time, we hope the digital festival will unify many diverse communities in celebration of LGBTIQ+ arts and culture in India,” said Jonathan Kennedy, director, arts, British Council in India.

ESI to be Covid hospital

The health department will convert ESI Hospital in Joka into a Covid-19 hospital. The hospital has 400 beds.

Health department officials asked the hospital administration to make immediate arrangements for admitting Covid patients. “The hospital will be designated as Level III,” said an official. Level III is meant for confirmed Covid-19 patients with mild infection.

The hospital will mostly cater to patients turning up from parts of Behala, Thakurpukur, Sarsuna and Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas.