Tasveer Film Fund:
Empowering South Asian Filmmakers
The Tasveer Film Fund is a groundbreaking initiative that champions South Asian filmmakers by offering financial support, mentorship, and opportunities to amplify their voices on a global stage. As the first-ever dedicated grant for South Asian filmmakers in the U.S., the fund plays a pivotal role in nurturing bold, authentic, and socially impactful storytelling.
Why Tasveer Film Fund?
Representation matters. Mainstream media often fails to accurately reflect the diversity of South Asian experiences, leaving vital stories untold. Tasveer Film Fund seeks to bridge this gap by empowering storytellers from South Asia and its diaspora to share nuanced perspectives that challenge stereotypes, inspire empathy, and spark meaningful dialogue.
What We Offer
The fund provides monetary grants, mentorship, and industry exposure to emerging and established filmmakers alike. These films highlight underrepresented voices, addressing critical issues such as gender equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, caste discrimination, and mental health.
Our Impact
Since its inception in 2020, Tasveer Film Fund has supported 15 projects, showcasing their work at international festivals like Tribeca and beyond.
How to Apply
Applications for the 6th cycle of 2025 Tasveer Film Fund will open in Summer. Please keep checking this area for any updates.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of South Asian Cinema
If you want to create a fund for filmmakers based on a theme, please contact tff@tasveer.org.
Rules & Regulations
Submission Criteria
-The writer or director must identify as South Asian. At least one primary character must identify as South Asian.
-For the LGBTQIA+ Short, the writer or director must identify as South Asian and LGBTQIA+.
and first casting preference should be given to LGBTQIA+ actors.
-The project must be in the script stage, with no production having started.
-The script must be for a short film.
-Must have World Premiere at Tasveer Film Festival.
-Filmmakers must be mid-level, with 3+ years of industry experience, and have made at least 1 short film.
-Submission materials must include bios for the key creative team, artistic statement, artist
career development, logline, synopsis, script, budget, and project timeline.
Selection process
-The submitted scripts will be sent to script readers, who will review and evaluate each film based on certain criteria. The film scripts will be anonymous during the initial round of review.
-Nine Shortlisted filmmakers will pitch their scripts during the Tasveer Film Market, between dates Oct 15-18th, at Seattle Center, 363 Mercer St, Seattle WA.
-Three winners will be decided by judges with experienced filmmaking and producing backgrounds and awarded $25,000.
-The selection process will be completely transparent, independent, and non-discriminatory.
-Review criteria include Plot/Story, Characters/Subjects, Dialogue, South Asian USP, and
Producibility.
-The film script pitch session will involve a summary, a verbal pitch, a presentation deck, and a Q&A session.
Submission document
Must submit one combined PDF
(a) Screenplay (Complete, first draft is fine)
(b) Pitch Deck with
-Logline
-Short Synopsis
-Long Synopsis
-Director’s Bio
-Director’s Statement
-Visual and Treatment Note, or LookBook
-Estimated Budget Top Sheet
-Partners attached (optional)
-Talent attached (optional)
TASVEER FILM FUND WINNERS
2024
Karan Sunil is an Indian-American writer and director based in LA. His heist comedy feature, THE FAMILY JEWELS, is being produced by Invention Studios and he is also currently writing a comedy feature for Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media.
In television, Karan has developed a comedy pilot for Hulu and Lionsgate TV based on his hit web series CODE-SWITCHED which he wrote and directed.
He has also developed a dark comedy pilot for Sony Pictures Television. Karan was a 2020 Film Independent Project Involve Writing Fellow and has previously written humor for The New Yorker and McSweeney’s. Having immigrated from India as a young boy, Karan uses genre storytelling to reflect the humor and pain that come from characters caught between different worlds.
He is a graduate of DePaul University with a BA in Digital Cinema & Television Writing.
Moitri Ghosh is an Indian-born, Atlanta-based director raised in India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the US. Driven by her fascination with human behaviour and visual aesthetics, Moitri studied
Psychology and Graphic Design at Smith College.
At Ogilvy advertising, Moitri climbed the physical production ladder to line producer before transitioning to creative producing for clients such as IBM, American Express, and Comcast. Moitri directed internal videos ranging from pitches for prospective clients to pro bono clients.
At MasterClass, Moitri produced five classes and creative-produced over a dozen class trailers. After she directed b-roll for classes and art directed a trailer, Moitri decided to transition careers to directing.
Moitri developed and followed a self-guided curriculum based on the top film schools. She studied screenwriting, joined acting studios, and took directing workshops under the tutelage of Mary Lou Belli, Bethany Rooney, Lesli Linka Glatter, Rachel Raimist, Peter Werner, Geary McLeod, and John David Coles. During COVID, she remotely directed a narrative short. Moitri co-directed the Mashama Bailey multicam cooking MasterClass and directed the Joan Benoit multicam running MasterClass. She was a semifinalist for the AFI DWW+ 2023-2024 program, and then she was selected as an Alternate for the AFI DWW+ 2024-2025 program. Her narrative short “Choose You” is in post-production. She is fundraising for her next short “By Design” to shoot this fall. Most recently, Moitri completed a virtual shadow with DGA television director Mary Lou Belli where she shot listed an entire episode, storyboarded action sequences, simulated meetings, and presented overheads for select scenes.
Meera Angelica Joshi is a filmmaker and documentarian who loves to investigate our connection to each other and the planet through her work. She was born in New Zealand, raised in Australia and moved to New York City to study film at NYU.
Driven by her curious spirit, Meera has made short films with farmers in the Andes of Peru and entrepreneurial villagers in India. Her short films have aired on Australian television, been featured in the New York Times and have played at film festivals internationally.
Meera uses skills honed from documentary filmmaking when crafting her scripted projects, thoughtfully researching protagonists with different lived experiences than her own and bringing their voice into every project she writes.
Meera has worked with large companies such as Google and Bloomberg as well as small businesses. She strongly believes in the power of community and has been an active member of collectives including Pano, WOCU, Kalakars and the Pan Asian Screen Collective. She currently produces and directs commercial, narrative and documentary projects for Darling Street Pictures
2023
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.
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.
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.
2022
A woman with severe OCD is forced to examine why a sense of “home” is beyond her control.
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.
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.
2021
2020
FAQs
Eligibility
Filmmakers must be of South Asian heritage and must include at least one principal cast member who is also of South Asian descent.
Selection Process
Submitted scripts are reviewed anonymously by partners and
collaborators, with finalists pitching their projects at the Tasveer Film Market, between the dates Oct 15-18th, at Seattle Center, 363, Mercer St, Seattle WA 98109.
Mentorship
Winners receive mentorship throughout the pre-production, production,
and distribution phases. This includes guidance on story development, budgeting,
scheduling, casting, and more.
Distribution
The goal is to have the films ready for distribution before the Tasveer Film
Festival, where they will have their world premieres. Tasveer will also provide support
with film festival strategy, online platforms, and potential distribution on Alaska Airlines.
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?
No, you need to have a new script not in production to be eligible for the 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+.
Can I shoot in South Asia?
Yes, you can shoot partially in South Asia, if it balances with your budget. However it is required to shoot part of the film in North America.
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.
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