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TASVEER FILM FUND

The Tasveer Film Fund supports groundbreaking original short films that showcase untold South Asian stories. As the first-ever dedicated grant towards the perspectives of South Asian stories, the fund plays a pivotal role in nurturing bold, authentic, and socially impactful storytelling.

Since its inception in 2020, Tasveer Film Fund has supported 15 projects, showcasing their work at international festivals like Tribeca and beyond. This year, four projects will be awarded up til USD $35K.

The following 10 projects will pitch at the Tasveer Film Market on Oct, 10, 2025.

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.

Schedule at a Glance
Tasveer Film Fund Pitches • Oct 10, 2025 • Seattle
Fri • Oct 10
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
10 projects will pitch to win a grant of USD $35K.
4 winners will be selected by a Jury panel made up of industry executives, producers and directors. Winners will be announced at the end of the market.
More Details
See Day-by-Day Schedule

2025 TASVEER FILM FUND FINALIST

Coming Soon…

TASVEER FILM FUND WINNERS

2024

Karan Sunil
YAKSHI by Karan Sunil

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.

Moitri Ghosh
BY DESIGN by Moitri Ghosh

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.

Meera Joshi
THE SALE by Meera Joshi

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.

2023

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Documentary
Yatra by Hemal Trivedi

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.

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SHORT NARRATIVE
CHANNEL BIBI by Rajan Gill

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.

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LGBTQIA+ Short
Me and My Guardian Angel by Ibrahim Rana

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

Hena Ashraf 2022
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.

Saif Jan 2021
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.

Angbeen Saleem 2022
NARRATIVE SHORT
BILLO RANI by Angbeen Saleem ($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.

2021

Mukesh Kumar 2021
SHORT FILM
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT by Mukesh Kumar
Amritpal Kaur 2021
LGBTQ+ SHORT FILM
ZINDAGI DOBARA by Amritpal Kaur
Citizen Khan 2021
DOCUMENTARY
CITIZEN KHAN by San-a Malik & Kha-ula Malik
Kalyan Sura 2021
SHORT FILM
Dos Bros Force By Kalyan Sura

2020

Naman Gupta 2020
SHORT FILM
COMING OUT WITH THE HELP OF A TIME MACHINE by NAMAN GUPTA

FAQs

Filmmakers must present perspectives from South Asian Stories.

Submitted scripts are reviewed anonymously by partners and films professionals. 9 shortlisted finalists will their projects at the Tasveer Film Market, between the dates Oct 7-12th, at Seattle.

Winners receive mentorship throughout the pre-production, production,
and distribution phases. This includes guidance on story development, budgeting,
scheduling, casting, and more.

If you are a mid-level experienced filmmaker living in the US & Canada you are eligible to apply for the Tasveer Film Fund. Short film scripts which present perspectives of South Asian stories that are honest, unique, and emotionally universal will be considered strong submissions.

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.

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

No, you need to have a new script not in production to be eligible for the Tasveer Film Fund.

At least one member of the team must be present during the pitch session, which is scheduled to occur from October 7 to 10, 2025, at the Tasveer Film Market in Seattle.

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+.

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.

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.

Script submitted must be at most 20 pages long for Short Film, written in standard script format.
For short films, we fund projects from the pre-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.
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.

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

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.

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

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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