Bandipora, November 4: A feature story by Journalist Shaizan Nadaf has been selected for the 11th edition of the Gender Bender Festival 2026, scheduled to be held at Studio 345 in Bengaluru from November 19 to 22.
Titled “Kashmir’s Wular is Sick, and Its Women Know It,” the story was published by Free Press Kashmir in August 2026. It documents the deteriorating condition of Wullar Lake and its impact on women engaged in water chestnut harvesting, whose livelihoods depend on the lake.
Sandbox Collective, the festival organisers, announced the list of selected artists on November 4, with Nadaf among those whose works will be showcased during the four-day event.
Expressing happiness over the selection, Nadaf said, “I am delighted and happy to see my story selected for Gender Bender 2026. It is a proud and encouraging moment for me. I feel grateful that a story rooted in the lives and struggles of people from my area has received recognition on such a platform.”
He said the recognition would encourage him to continue documenting stories from Kashmir, particularly those highlighting the lives of local communities and environmental concerns.
Nadaf is a Kashmir-based multimedia journalist with over five years of experience covering society, environment, health, sports and culture. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and is currently pursuing his Master’s in the same subject. His reporting focuses on bringing overlooked stories to the forefront through field reporting and visual storytelling.
Organised by Sandbox Collective, Gender Bender provides a platform for creative conversations around gender, its evolving interpretations and intersectionality. The 11th edition will bring together selected existing works centred on the theme of gender, with an emphasis on an intimate and immersive experience.
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