The Tasveer South Asian Film Festival (TSAFF) is the largest South Asian film festival in the United States. TSAFF is headquartered in the beautiful Pacific Northwest city of Seattle in Washington State and its surrounding cities.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic placed an unprecedented strain on the world and the arts community. In response to the crisis, Tasveer led the Coalition of South Asian Film Festivals (CoSAFF). CoSAFF was a first-of-its-kind event that brought together seven well-established South Asian institutions from across North America. The virtual festival ran for 15 days, presenting online screenings of thought-provoking films & forums on South Asia and its diaspora, to engage viewers in dialogue on the issues of human rights, social/political/economic justice, and representation, garnering about 45,000 views.

In our 17th year, Tasveer South Asian Film Festival will have a hybrid film festival with in-person and online screenings.

TSAFF is produced by a nonprofit arts organization 'Tasveer' founded in 2002. TSAFF provides a platform to South Asian storytellers from around the globe, through films, workshops, monologues, and panel discussions. We believe film can be a powerful medium to bridge ideas and communities and create deeper understanding through stories, in order to foster a happier and healthier world.

Awards & Prizes

Tasveer Audience Choice Award for Independent Filmmakers

$1000 Tasveer Audience Choice: Narrative Feature
$1000 Tasveer Audience Choice: Documentary Feature
$ 500 Tasveer Audience Choice: Short
$500 Tasveer Jury Award: Best Short film

$5000 Tasveer Emerald Award
Awarded to highly accomplished filmmakers in recognition of significant contribution to South Asian film and diaspora stories.

Rules & Terms

Tasveer invites the submission of films on themes related to South Asia and its Diaspora. Feature films, shorts, documentaries, web series, music videos, VR/360 films, experimental films, and animations of any length.

The 10-day South Asian film festival, the largest in the US, will foster an atmosphere of creative inquiry, filmmakers and audiences will engage in lively discussions, forums, and other collaborative interactive formats.

South Asia includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and its various Diasporas across the world.

ELIGIBILITY

-- All works must be related to South Asia and/or its Diaspora. This includes films made by filmmakers of South Asian origin, as well as those by non-South Asian filmmakers that focus on a South Asian theme.
-- Films that are not in English must have English subtitles.
-- We prefer Seattle premieres, though not required.
-- All works must have been released in 2021 and after.
-- To be eligible for a student film submission, either the school name must be in the credits or the filmmaker must be currently enrolled in school.
-- Films already available online will only be selected in exceptional cases as determined by the selection committee. In general, we do not screen films that are already available online.
Exceptions could be discussed via email to festival directors at tsaff@tasveer.org.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill out the submission form on FilmFreeway by choosing the appropriate category.
2. Pay the Entry Fee.
3. Send a preview copy of your film via an online link. The link must be non-expiring

SELECTION PROCESS

The Director of Programming, Executive Director, and a selection committee of professionals and community members preview each film and make programming decisions. If accepted, we will notify filmmakers via email by the dates listed on the form.

IF YOU ARE ACCEPTED

1. We do not pay a rental fee for the programmed work. Please let us know in advance if your film is being acquired by a distributor.
2. We do not provide airfare & stay for every filmmaker who is selected for the film festival.

Selection is based on our discretion.
Upon being selected, we will ask you to send the following:
1. Film Stills;
2. Director's photo;
3. Links to a Press Kit;
4. Film trailer if one exists;
5. Exhibition format of the film - You will be responsible for paying for one-way shipping if it is being mailed. Return is not guaranteed. Digital delivery is preferred.
5. Online link for press preview;
6. The exhibition format should arrive at the notified address 4 weeks prior to the start of the festival.
7. Due to numerous problems with DVD submissions, we are no longer accepting DVDs for exhibition format. We accept high-quality MP4 and DCP formats. Please reach us if you have a concern or question regarding the format.
29 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • prataya saha

    I am esctatic to write about TSAFF. First of all thank you for accepting our film, Just Another Day.

    The communications from the organizers were crystal clear. The festival was also very well organized.

    January 2022
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  • Utpal BORPUJARI

    It was a great honour to have my short film in this very prestigious festival of south Asian cinema in the US.

    December 2021
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  • Prarthana Goswami

    Was an honour to be a part of this excellent festival. Crisp communications and well planned with an amazing selection of films. Thank you for selecting my debut film ‘The Wait’ and thank you for the motivation.

    November 2021
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  • SHAMAS NAWAB SIDDIQUI

    very bad, no communications at all

    November 2021
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Hello Shamas, Sorry you had a bad experience. I am wondering if you can give a bit more detail about what happened. All communications are done through FilmFreeway and we have a dedicated festival manager who communicates with all the filmmakers. -- Rita :)

  • Jaraad Virani

    Fantastic experience from start to finish! Rita and her team put together and ran a remarkable showcase of South Asian storytellers, especially under such difficult circumstances with the pandemic ongoing. I feel so privileged to have been a part of Tasveer's 2021 festival and can only hope I'm fortunate enough to participate again in the future!

    November 2021
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