Overview

Tasveer is excited to present the 4th year of the Tasveer Film Fund (TFF). This fund is created for people of South Asian origin, and for South Asian-based films.

Tasveer will offer funding for USA-based and Canada-based filmmakers. Our mission is to increase representation for South Asian Filmmakers in North America.

The top 3 finalists from each category will be invited to pitch their short film, LGBTQ+ films, or their documentary treatment.

Our aim is to alleviate some of the financial pressures for filmmakers by providing $25,000 for each project.
Winners must adhere to two conditions:

Begin their film with "Tasveer Presents".
List Rita Meher, and Uzma Khan as the Executive Producers.

**Kindly don't ask for waivers. **

Award Cash Prize: $75,000 for all the three categories below:
General Narrative Short: $25,000 (Max)
LGBTQIA+ Narrative Short: $25,000 (Max)
Documentary Short (under 40 min): $25,000

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfgDswuxgk8

ELIGIBILITY & SUBMISSION MATERIALS

NARRATIVE SHORT

1. Director and lead character must identify as South Asian.
2. Writer or Director must be a resident of the United States or Canada.
3. Must be in the pre-production stage and not in Production or Post Production
4. Finished product should not exceed 15 min
5. Must be completed by August 2024
6. Must screen at Tasveer South Asian Film Festival 2024
7. Submission materials must include bios for key creative team, artistic statement, logline, synopsis, script, budget, and project timeline. Please upload one PDF document rather than multiple files.

LGBTQIA+ NARRATIVE SHORT

1. The Writer or Director, and lead character must identify as South Asian and LGBTQIA+.
2. Writer or Director must be a resident of the United States or Canada.
3. Must be in the pre-production stage.
4. Finished product should not exceed 15 min
5. Must be completed by August 2024.
6. Must screen at Tasveer South Asian Film Festival 2024
7. Submission materials must include key creative team, artistic statement, logline, synopsis, script, budget, and project timeline. Please upload one PDF document rather than multiple files.

DOCUMENTARY (Under 40 Min)

1. The Filmmaker and lead subject must identify as South Asian.
2. The Filmmaker must be a resident of the United States or Canada.
3. Must be in the post-production stage.
4. Must be completed by September 2024.
5. Must screen at Tasveer South Asian Film Festival 2024.
6. Submission materials must include key creative team, artistic statement, logline, synopsis, treatment, PDF with a link to a clip or clips (20 minutes max), budget, and project timeline. Please upload one PDF document rather than multiple files.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CATEGORIES

1. Script submitted must be written in standard script format.

2. When creating/updating your project, select “SCRIPT” as your format and “USA” as your Origin.

3. Use the Files & Attachments section of your FilmFreeway project profile to upload the various materials.

4. Scripts must be submitted in English, even if they might be shot in another language.

5. Preference will be given to scripts with a social justice theme and centered on the South Asian diaspora experience.

6. The project cannot discriminate against people of any background, ethnicity, religion, race, sexuality, or gender.

7. Submission fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the submission.

8. Scripts submitted in previous years will not be eligible for resubmission in the current season.

9. If you are experiencing an error message, please make sure you have chosen “SCRIPT” as your format and “USA” as your Origin.

LEGAL RULES AND REQUIREMENTS

1. The completed film must include an “In association with Tasveer” card, along with the Tasveer logo in the opening credits. And, Special Thanks to some key members and mentors for their contribution should be included in the closing credits. Names will be provided by Tasveer.

2. The grantee consents to Tasveer using their name, photo, project title, and any other relevant information for promotional purposes on their website and other publicity platforms.

3. The Film Fund money must only be used towards the making of the film, and cannot be re-assigned for any other purpose.

4. Upon completion of production, the filmmaker must submit a cost report of how the funds were used.

5. 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.

6. In the case of the grantee defaulting on using the funds, Tasveer reserves the right to reassign the funds to the runner-up filmmaker.

For more information and FAQs please visit https://tasveer.org/filmfund

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Pallavi Somusetty

    Tasveer gave us a chance to pitch our film and meet other like-minded South Asian filmmakers. I'm grateful for the opportunity.

    October 2023
  • Janki Parekh

    Amazing program to help emerging South Asian filmmakers in the U.S. So glad I submitted!!!

    November 2020