Dear Festival and Market Guests,

As we launch this event, my heart is filled with pride and emotion. We are thrilled to welcome you to the first-ever Tasveer Film Market, hosted alongside our 19th Tasveer Film Festival. This is a groundbreaking moment—an unprecedented South Asian-focused film market, the first of its kind outside South Asia.

This Market was born from the urgent need to elevate the representation of South Asians and ensure our stories are told. As Mira Nair wisely said, “If we don’t tell our stories, no one else will.”

I want to extend my deepest thanks to our incredible team, board members, volunteers, and advisors who have worked tirelessly over the past six months to bring this dream to life. As this is our inaugural year, we ask for your understanding and support as we navigate this new venture. Together, we are building something truly remarkable.

To all of you who are here today, thank you for joining us. You are now a part of our history.

— Rita Meher, Founder, Tasveer Film Festival & Market