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Overview

The announcement for 3rd Tasveer Film Fund (TFF) will be released in the first week of June 2022. Thank you for eve

Starting at the height of the pandemic in 2020, TFF was one of the first kind of funds in the United States solely dedicated to supporting South Asian filmmakers. Winners receive a monetary grant and year-long mentorship, to help bring their scripts to life.

With support from Netflix, Tasveer has expanded the program to support three filmmakers who are developing short film, documentary and LGBTQIA+ film projects. This collaboration is part of the recently announced Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, where Netflix will invest USD $100 million dollars over the next five years in a combination of external organizations with a strong track record of setting underrepresented communities up for success in the TV and film industries, as well as bespoke programs that will help to identify, train and provide job placement for up-and-coming talent globally.

“Having a film fund for South Asian filmmakers I think is vital. It gives us the opportunity to take risks and tell bold, inclusive, and diverse stories as we try and forge a path in an industry where there are not too many people of our background or culture.” – Naman Gupta, 2020 Tasveer Film Fund winner

Submitting Your Script to Tasveer Film Fund

2022 Submission Dates will be announced in May 2022: Sign up for our Newsletter to be the first to know when submissions open

Categories

Tasveer Film Fund will give out grants of at least $5,000 to South Asian filmmakers in the US:

  • Short film
  • Documentary
  • LGBTQIA+ themed short film
  • Feature film

Eligibility

Short Film

Grant Amount: $5,000

Terms

  • The short film script must be between 5 and 20 pages in length
  • The grant is only for filmmakers of South Asian descent living within the United States.
  • The short film must include South Asian representation in the story as well as in the cast/crew.
  • Grantee film must be fully produced and finished in time to screen at the next annual TSAFF. Exception is available on request.

Documentary

Grant Amount: $5,000

Terms

  • The preferred length is 60 min and under, though exceptions are available.
  • One grant of $5,000 to a filmmaker with a documentary proposal ready to produce. Here is a sample of a documentary proposal.
  • Must be non-fiction
  • Documentary must be beyond the conception stage and must be in the production and/or post-production stage
  • Include a trailer or clip to show the general direction of your documentary (required)

LGBTQIA+ Film

Grant Amount: $5,000

Terms

  • The scriptwriter-director must identify as an LGBTQIA+ individual, of South Asian origin.
  • The topic of the film must be an LGBTQIA+ story.
  • Grantee film must be fully produced and finished in time to screen at the next annual TSAFF. Exceptions are available upon request.

Tasveer Film Fund 2020 Awardee

Film Fund Grant Winners 1

Tasveer Film Fund 2021 Awardees

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General Submission Requirements

  • Script for short film and LGBTQIA+ must be between 5 and 20 pages in length and must be written in standard script format.
  • For the documentary, attach a documentary proposal in a pdf format. Include a trailer and/or example clip (required)
  • For Short and LGBTQ+ categories we fund projects in the pre-production stage
  • For the documentary category we fund projects in the production & post-production stage
  • Proposals must be submitted in English, even if they might be shot in another language.
  • Filmmakers must be based in the U.S. and with a U.S. bank account in order to receive funds.
  • Filmmakers must be of South Asian descent.
  • Preference will be given to scripts with a social justice theme and based on the South Asian diaspora experience.
  • The script/story cannot be discriminatory against people of any background, ethnicity, religion, race, sexuality, or gender.
  • Filmmakers must include an estimated top-sheet production budget and indicate what the funds will be used for.
  • Submission fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the submission.
  • Scripts submitted in previous years will not be eligible for resubmission in 2022
  • The completed film must include an “in association with Tasveer” in the opening credits, along with the Tasveer logo. Special Thanks to some key members and judges for the acknowledgment in the closing credits. Names will be provided by Tasveer.
  • The grantee consents to Tasveer using their name, photo, script title, and any other relevant information for promotional purposes on their website and other publicity platforms.
  • The Film Fund money must only be used towards the production budget of the film, and cannot be re-assigned for any other purpose.
  • Upon completion of production, the filmmaker must submit a cost report of how the funds were used.
  • If the filmmaker has not used the funds or is unable to complete their film by the agreed-upon deadline, they agree to return the grant fund in its entirety to Tasveer. Consideration may be given to schedules affected due to Covid-19.
  • In the case of the grantee defaulting on using the funds, Tasveer reserves the right to reassign the funds to the second choice filmmaker.

FAQ

Yes, only filmmakers of South Asian heritage living in the US and with a US bank account are eligible to receive grant awards

Yes, individuals from or with heritage in the following countries are eligible to apply

  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • India
  • Maldives
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • Tibet
  • Sri Lanka

  • For Short Film and LGBTQ+ Film: 5-20 pages
  • For documentary treatment: preferably for a 60-minute film

2022 Dates are TBD

Yes! Tasveer will offer the following resources to grantees:

  • Mentorship – 25 hours of Tasveer staff time, dedicated to helping you bring your project to life
  • Connections in the film industry (with actors, other funders, equipment sources, when applicable and available)
  • Distribution advice
  • Premiere for their film in our 2023 film festival

Tasveer is unable to provide funding beyond the $5,000 award. However, we are happy to provide advice and resources for seeking additional funding sources during scheduled mentoring sessions

We anticipate this general timeline for Short Film and LGBTQ Film categories:

  • Awards made: November 2022
  • Pre-production and mentoring: Nov 2022 – Feb 2023
  • Production: Mar – Jun 2023
  • Post-production and distribution: July – Oct 2023
  • Premiere at Tasveer Festival: October 2023

For Documentaries, please communicate your estimated timeline in your application