Announcing Tasveer Film Fund 2023 Finalists!

In 2020, the Tasveer Film Fund (TFF) was established with the mission of providing financial support and mentorship to independent filmmakers of South Asian descent in the United States and Canada. Since its inception, TFF has distributed a total of $85,000 to these filmmakers to help them bring untold South Asian stories to screen. 

In the current year, TFF is proud to announce a significant increase in the grant value, now offering up to $25,000 for each film category. This represents a fivefold increase from the initial grant amount of $5,000 in the fund’s inaugural year. 

For the first time this year, TFF is open to Canada-based applicants in addition to US-based applicants. 

After a rigorous process of deliberating over every script, our team of script readers have arrived at the top three contenders for each of the Tasveer Film Fund category. These nine finalists will get a chance to pitch their films to a panel of judges on October 12, 2023 at Tagney Jones Hall, Seattle.

The Tasveer Film Fund winners will be announced on Oct 15th. 

Tasveer Film Fund is funded by Tasveer and Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.

18th Tasveer Festival: Oct. 12-22, 2023

Tasveer Film Fund: Timeline

Tasveer Film Fund 2023

Date

Regular Deadline

July 30 2023

Late Deadline

September 10, 2023

Notification to Pitch

September 30, 2023

Pitch Session

Oct 12, 2023

Winners Announcement

Oct 15th, 2023

Premiere at Tasveer South Asian Film Festival

Oct 2024

Top Three Finalists for Each TFF Category

Documentary 
Nausheen Dadabhoy
Halal Bodies
Halal Bodies is a short hybrid documentary that explores how familial, cultural and societal pressures have shaped the idea of sex and relationships for young Muslims, and how that dynamic ultimately impacts their relationship with Allah.
Hemal Trivedi
Yatra
Haunted by her mother’s death, a young Indian-American doctor journeys back to India to find meaning. While there, an unexpected encounter with a young indigenous girl makes her confront her past and question her future.
Pallavi Somusetty
Welcome Home Jhaiji
Berkeley-based historian and artist Barnali, along with a group of committed activists, spearhead a grassroots campaign to rename a street after Kala Bagai, a South Asian woman who experienced racial discrimination over a hundred years ago. In the process, they transform the way they feel about themselves and how they belong, and spark a nationwide movement.
LGBTQIA+ Short
Vik Chopra  
Bite
Based on true events, Bite is a visceral snapshot of the deterioration of a once loving relationship between a South Asian man and his boyfriend, which has now spiraled into heroin addiction and physical violence.
Ibrahim Rana
Me and My Guardian Angel
Amidst the eerie silence of night, Yassin faces a life-altering decision at a desolate bus stop. But fate takes an unexpected turn, propelling him and his resolute cousin Ayesha into a relentless quest for justice against an unforgivable injustice.
Salman Alam
The Last Visit
A lonely old Indian man living in Los Angeles hires an Indian college student through a companionship app to spend time with him. As their connection deepens, they confront a clash of values that threatens their newfound bond.
Short Narrative
Radha Mehta  
Tuner
Tuner is about a young South Asian girl, Lakshmi, who must learn to cope with her sudden hearing loss and begins to find her way through music. This story is inspired by how Hard-of-Hearing Writer/Director, Radha Mehta, first learned to sing.
Rajan Gill
CHANNEL BIBI
CHANNEL BIBI, a narrative short, explores generational trauma in a fantastical world of Hashtags, Followers, and Influencer-Status. When a lonely grandmother becomes an internet sensation on YouTube, she questions whether her online fans can replace her distant family.
Aneesa Khan
What is the Criteria?
A Pakistani-American woman returns home to attend her elder sister’s wedding. Amidst chaotic preparations, she receives magical glasses that allow her to see the hidden truths of people around her. Through this newfound lens, she navigates her own feelings, along with the importance of cultural identity within family and modern relationships.

TASVEER FILM FUND WINNERS

Tasveer Film Fund 2022 Awardees:

NARRATIVE FEATURE
HOMES by Hena Ashraf ($15K)

A woman with severe OCD is forced to examine why a sense of “home” is beyond her control.

DOCUMENTARY
CHIRAGU (WING) by Neelu Bhuman ($15K)

Young Muslim transman Adam Harry dreams of becoming a Commercial Pilot, armed with a scholarship, a growing fanbase and media presence. Will this be enough to help Adam defy bureaucratic discrimination and continue his training to become first transgender Commercial Pilot of Indian origin?

LGBTQIA+ SHORT
Shams by Saif Jan ($10K)

When, Mustafa, the Imam of a mosque in rural Florida learns that a young trans man has been praying in the men’s section of the mosque, the Imam faces a moral and ethical crisis of faith as he decides if his loyalty is to uphold the established values of his mosque or to protect this trans man’s safety and spiritual belonging.

NARRATIVE SHORT
BILLO RANI by Maryam Mir ($10K)

When Hafsa, a sparkly and impulsive 12-year-old girl, is made aware of her unibrow at Islamic Sunday School in a lesson on “cleanliness”, her chatty and aunty-like eyebrows come to life and begin to speak to her.

Tasveer Film Fund 2021 Awardees

SHORT FILM SCRIPT
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT by Mukesh Kumar
LGBTQ+ FILM SCRIPT
ZINDAGI DOBARA by Amritpal Kaur
DOCUMENTARY
CITIZEN KHAN by San-a Malik & Kha-ula Malik
DOCUMENTARY
Dos Bros Force By Kalyan Sura

Tasveer Film Fund 2020 Awardee

SHORT FILM SCRIPT
COMING OUT WITH THE HELP OF A TIME MACHINE by NAMAN GUPTA

FAQs

What are the submission guidelines? 

  • Script submitted must be at most 20 pages long for Short Film, written in standard script format. For the documentary, attach a documentary proposal in PDF format. Include a trailer and/or example clip (required).
  • For short films, we fund projects from the pre-production stage.
  • For the documentary category we fund projects in the post-production stage.
  • Scripts must be submitted in English, even if they might be shot in another language. Filmmakers must be based in the US & Canada and with a US or Canadian bank account to receive funds.
  • Filmmakers must be of South Asian heritage. Preference will be given to scripts with a social justice theme based on the South Asian diaspora experience.
  • If your script/story discriminates against people of any background, ethnicity, religion, race, sexuality, or gender, you will be disqualified. 
  • Filmmakers must include an estimated top-sheet production budget and indicate how the funds will be utilized.
  • Submission fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the submission.
  • Scripts submitted in previous years will not be eligible for resubmission in the current season. Filmmakers are required to have produced at least one film previously.
Am I eligible for Tasveer Film Fund?

If you are a South Asian or someone of South Asian heritage living in the US and Canada, you are most definitely eligible to apply for Tasveer Film Fund. 

What do you mean by South Asian or South Asia?

South Asia refers to the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. South Asian refers to anyone who belongs to these countries or has a lineage and heritage from this region.

If I win this award, does it stop me from applying for other film grants?

No. You can apply for other grants and resources to complete your film if necessary. 

I have a story about a queer character, but I do not identify as LGBTQIA+. In which category do I apply for Tasveer Film Fund?

You can submit your film for the Short Narrative category. 

What does LGBTQIA+ Short Film mean?

We want queer South Asian stories and films to become mainstream and a part of public discourse. For this reason, we have a dedicated category for LGBTQIA+ Short Film in Tasveer Film Fund so queer filmmakers are able to cinematically represent their experiences and what it means to be queer and South Asian.

My short film is already in production and I need additional grants to complete the film. Am I eligible to apply for Tasveer Film Fund?

Yes, you can most certainly apply for Tasveer Film Fund.

What is the duration for each film category in Tasveer Film Fund?

Short Film: 15 minutes 

LGBTQ+ Short Film: 15 minutes 

Documentary Film: 40 minutes max.

How long should my script be?

For Short Narrative and LGBTQ+ Short: 5-20 pages

For Documentary: A documentary proposal for a short subject film in post-production

I applied for Tasveer Film Fund but cannot attend the pitch session in-person. Can I still win the grant?

Some from one the team has to be present during the pitch session. The pitch will take place between 11-12 Oct. at Tagney Jones, 363 Mercer St. Seattle, WA 98109 

Can I make multiple submissions to each category of TFF?

Yes, you can make as many submissions to each category of Tasveer Film Fund. Each submission will be considered an individual entry and will require a submission fee. 

Please Note: The LGBTQIA+ category is open only to filmmakers who identify as LGBTQIA+.

What kind of mentorship and support will I receive if I win this grant?

Tasveer will offer the following resources to our winners: 

 

  • You will have access to 25 hours of training and mentorship from Tasveer, dedicated to bring your project to life.
  • We will help you network with the film community to get the resources you need to complete your film. 
  • There will be a dedicated session about the best way to distribute your film. 
  • Your film will premiere at our 2024 Tasveer Film Festival.
What are the submission guidelines?
  • Script submitted must be at most 20 pages long for Short Film, written in standard script format. For the documentary, attach a documentary proposal in PDF format. Include a trailer and/or example clip (required). 
  • For short films, we fund projects from the pre-production stage. 
  • For the documentary category we fund projects in the post-production stage.
  • Scripts must be submitted in English, even if they might be shot in another language. Filmmakers must be based in the US & Canada and with a US or Canadian bank account to receive funds. 
  • Filmmakers must be of South Asian heritage. Preference will be given to scripts with a social justice theme based on the South Asian diaspora experience. 
  • The script/story cannot discriminate against people of any background, ethnicity, religion, race, sexuality, or gender. 
  • Filmmakers must include an estimated top-sheet production budget and indicate how the funds will be utilized. 
  • Submission fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the submission. 
  • Scripts submitted in previous years will not be eligible for resubmission in the current season. Filmmakers are required to have produced at least one film previously.
Are submission fees refundable?

No. Your submission fee is a one-time fee and it is non-refundable.

I am a struggling filmmaker. Can I get a waiver for my submission fee?

While we deeply empathize with your situation as a struggling filmmaker, we are unable to grant a waiver for the submission fee. We believe in maintaining a fair and standard process for all applicants. We encourage you to still consider applying and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.

After execution of the story, who will have copyrights of the film ?

You will retain the copyrights. Tasveer will have production credit.  

Are you planning to help film makers with distribution ?

Yes, at the film summit you will have access to distributors. And as a part of the mentorship, we will introduce you to distributors. 

If your question is not answered here, please write to us at tff@tasveer.org.

SPONSORS