Akshara is an Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA based organization with a mission to create, present and promote the arts from India, both in their traditional forms and in the more innovative, dynamic and contemporary expressions. Akshara serves as a platform for the arts – within and beyond the Indian diaspora, and for a wide range of art forms and artists, both from India as well as those inspired by Indian influences. With its multi-arts and multi-disciplinary philosophy, Akshara works in performing, visual, literary, film/media and culinary arts. Its goal is to engage and educate its audiences through traditional and new works that are enriching and thought-provoking.

General Eligibility:

All Films must present South Asian themes, topics or have south Asian heritage within the team (Producer, Director, Screenwriter, Lead Actor or Actress)

1. Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form. All films must have English subtitles at the time submitted.

2. Films must be submitted as an online streaming video via a participating submission platform (FilmFreeway).

3. Films must have been completed after April 1, 2017. Films must be available for screening during the RASA Film Festival Sept 29th and 30th - 2018.

4. RASA Film Festival reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.

5. Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates that the rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.

6. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights.

7. We strongly encourage filmmakers to submit their film only after it is fully finished.

8. Once an entry payment has been received we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed by an entrant for any reason, the entrant may be subject to any transaction fees or similar amounts incurred by RASA Film Festival in connection with the dispute.

9. RASAFF has no obligation to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of screeners or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted project; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.

BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, I/WE HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.