The Tasveer South Asian Film Festival (TSAFF) is the largest South Asian film festival in the United States. Now in its 13th year, TSAFF 2018 is a 10-day festival of thought-provoking films & forums on South Asia and its diaspora, to engage viewers to dialogue openly on the issues of human rights and social/political/economic justice.

This year the spotlight is Pakistan, and the theme - #KnowMe - asks filmmakers and audience members alike to challenge narratives and assumptions about South Asia.The festival takes place from September 28th - Oct 7th, 2018, over 10 days, in 5 cities (Seattle, Bellevue, Bothell, Redmond & Renton) with more than 60 films and 3000 festival attendees.

Each year, TSAFF selects a focus country, comprising at least 30% of the festival programming. The focus country for TSAFF 2018 is Pakistan, with no entry fee for Pakistani filmmakers.

Founded as a grassroots art organization, TSAFF provides a platform for South Asian voices through films, workshops, monologues, talks and panel discussions. The festival aims to initiate a dialog that bridges ideas, individuals, and communities by creating a deeper understanding of self in relation to the society. We employ films as a powerful tool to highlight marginalized communities, clarify misconceptions, and broaden perspectives to foster happier and healthier communities.

Awards & Prizes

-Tasveer Emerald Award (Recognition for contributing to South Asian Cinema)
-Archana Soy Audience Award (Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, and Short film)
-Jury Award (Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature)

Rules & Terms

Tasveer invites submission of films on themes related to South Asia and its Diaspora. Shorts, experimental films, documentaries, and narratives of any length will be accepted in any digital formats.

Rules & Terms
Tasveer invites submission of films on themes related to South Asia and its Diaspora. Shorts, experimental films, documentaries, and narratives of any length will be accepted in any digital formats.
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 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.
-- All work MUST be a Seattle premiere.
-- All works must have been released in 2015 and after.
Exceptions could be discussed via email to Rita Meher rita@tasveer.org

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill out the application below completely.
2. Send a preview copy of your film via an online link. The link must be non- expiring
3. Pay the Entry Fee.

SELECTION PROCESS

The Festival Director, Programming Lead, and the selection committee will make the 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 film and filmmakers 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. Electronic Press Kit,
4. Exhibition format of the film. You will be responsible to pay for one-way shipping if it is being mailed. Return is not guaranteed.
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.

10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Akshay Singh

    Tasveer is an awesome Film Festival.. It was very well organised with fantastic line up of films.. I loved their warm hospitality.. Thank you Rita Meher, Kiran Dhillon and the whole team of TSAFF for making the screening of my film 'Pinky Beauty Parlour' a huge success.. You guys are amazing.. All the best !

    November 2017
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  • Parimal Aloke

    Take a bow team Tasveer South Asian Film Festival!!!
    Such lovely people, such a great festival.

    October 2017
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  • Jasleen Kaur

    INCREDIBLE festival. They took special care to ensure my screening was a success, and they were really great at communicating with me leading up to the festival. Definitely would recommend this festival to others. Special thanks to Kiran Dhillon for being so amazing. <3 :)

    October 2017
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  • Khandaker Sumon

    VERY GOOD PLATFORM FOR NEW FILMMAKER TO SHOW THEIR FILM TO INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE. I WAS HONORED!

    SPECIAL THANKS TO KIRAN DHILLON :)

    November 2016
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  • kbh productions

    SSAFF was a very well organised film festival. With a very passionate and warm team running it. I am so happy that i got to attend SSAFF in person and present my film SYAAHI to the Seattle Audience. The audience genuinely cared about the films, which showed in the intense Q & A's that followed. I will also remember the great time spent with the nicest team of directors and volunteers running the festival. I look forward to be back at the festival sometime, with my future work.

    November 2016
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