Tasveer is excited to launch its first-ever South Asian-focused Tasveer Film Market (TFM), Oct 15-18th, 2024. It is open to South Asian filmmakers living all over the world.

The film market will be done along with the 19th edition of the Tasveer Film Festival, a widely recognized South Asian film festival in North America and the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival. The Tasveer Film Market aims to provide a platform where the global South Asian film industry can find genuine partnerships and financing opportunities for projects in development.

TFM in its first edition invites film and scripted TV pitches from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the South Asian diaspora to explore investor, producing partnership, festival and buyer possibilities. Our sections tis year include

1. TASVEER FILM FUND
[FOR USA & CANADA BASED FILMMAKERS ONLY]
$25,000/project for 3 Projects
Narrative Shorts only

//SUBMISSION CRITERIA FOR TFF//

-The filmmaker must identify as South Asian and based in North America.
-At least one primary character must identify as South Asian.
-For the LGBTQIA+ Short, the writer or director must identify as South Asian and LGBTQIA+.
and first casting preference should be given to LGBTQIA+ actors.
-The project must be in the script stage, with no production having started.
-The script must be a maximum of 20 pages in length.
-Must have World Premiere at Tasveer Film Festival 2025.
-Submission materials must include bios for the key creative team, artistic statement, artist
career development, logline, synopsis, script, budget, and project timeline.
- Must complete the film by May 31st, 2025

//SELECTION PROCESS//

-The submitted scripts will be sent to readers, who will review and evaluate each film based on certain criteria. The film scripts will be anonymous during the initial round of review.
-Shortlisted filmmakers will pitch their scripts during the Tasveer Film Market.
-The winner will be decided by experts and judges with filmmaking and producing backgrounds.
-The selection process will be completely transparent, independent, and non-discriminatory.
-Review criteria include Plot/Story, Characters/Subjects, Dialogue, South Asian USP, and
Producibility.
-The film script pitch session will involve a summary, a verbal pitch, a presentation deck, and a Q&A session.

//SELECTION CRITERIA SHORTS FOR TASVEER FILM FUND//
Must submit one combined PDF
(a) Screenplay (Complete, first draft is fine)
(b) Pitch Deck with
-Logline
-Short Synopsis
-Long Synopsis
-Director's Bio/ Producer's Bio
-Director’s Statement
-Visual and Treatment Note, or LookBook
-Estimated Budget Top Sheet
-Partners attached (optional)
-Talent attached (optional)

*** TFF SHORTS must be completed the film by May 31st, 2025***

2. TASVEER CO-PRODUCTION MARKET
[TCPM, Open Globally]

TCPM is open to all genres and formats, intended for theatrical distribution, television broadcasting, and digital streaming. The market aims to facilitate, encourage, and accelerate new business opportunities for the development and creation of new films and scripted content accessible to global markets and audiences.

//SUBMISSION CRITERIA FOR TCPM//

The Tasveer Film Market is open to filmmakers/producers with
(1) Feature (Narrative & Documentary seeking Investors /Producing Partners /Distribution)
(2) TV (Scripted & Unscripted seeking Producers/Commissioning Platforms or Broadcasters/ Licensing/ Sales)
(3) Work-In-Progress Projects (Unfinished feature films seeking finishing funds)
(4) Films seeking Festival Programming /Sales Agents /Distribution

The pitches will take place at
Tagney Jones, 363, Mercer St, Seattle WA 98109

//SUBMISSION GUIDELINES //

**Feature Narrative**
(seeking Investors, Producing Partners, and Distributors)

-Screenplay (1st draft is fine) - first 25 pages for Narrative
One combined PDF including
-Logline
-Short Synopsis
-Long Synopsis or Story
-Director's Bio
-Producer's Bio
-Director’s Statement
-Visual and Treatment Note, or LookBook
-Estimated Budget Top Sheet
-Partners attached (optional)
-Talent attached (optional)
-Financial Plan (optional)
-Project Timelines

**Documentary Feature & Short (20min & above)**
(seeking Investors, Producing Partners, and Distributors)

Must submit one combined PDF including
Please provide
-Logline
-Short Synopsis
-Long Treatment
-Story (optional)
-Director's Bio/ Producer's Bio
-Director’s Statement
-Estimated Budget Top Sheet
-Financial Plan
-Timeline

**TV**
(Scripted seeking Producers, Showrunners, Commissioning Platforms or Broadcasters)

Must submit one combined PDF of
(a) Screenplay (1st draft is acceptable) - Pilot Episode
(b) Pitch Deck with
-Logline
-Short Synopsis
-Long Synopsis
-Story in 3-5 pages
-Director's Bio/ Producer's Bio
-Director’s statement
-Estimated budget top sheet
-Partners attached (optional)
-Talent attached (optional)
-Project Timelines
-Your Ask
(c) Project Bible with Episode arcs and synopsis for Season 1 and an overall Seasons plan
(d) Options documentation (if relevant)

//WORK-IN-PROGRESS FILMS//
(seeking gap financing)
Please submit
-Film Press Kit
-Rough Cut market screener
-Teaser or Scenes (about 4-5 scenes)
-Project Timelines and current status at the time of submission
-Premiere Status / Film Festival selections if any
-Total Budget with clear expenses

//FINISHED FILMS//
(seeking festival programming, sales, and distribution)
Please submit
(a) Festival / Market Screener link
(b) Trailer
(c) Press kit
(d) World Premiere / Film Festival selections if any
(e) Territories and Rights available

***Tasveer Film Fund Timeline***
2024-2025

Oct 20th: Tasveer Film Fund Winners will be announced
Nov 1st- Nov 15th: Contracts signed by winning filmmakers.
Jan 1st: Tasveer will provide Netflix with locked scripts
Nov 15 - Feb 28: Pre-Production.
Mar 1 - April 1: Production- Payment Installment 2
April 1 - May 30: Post Production
May 31st: Final Delivery to Tasveer/Netflix

Awards & Prizes

Tasveer Film Fund: $25,000 per project for 3 projects.
This prize is only for Short films

Rules & Terms

FOR TASVEER FILM FUND PARTICIPANTS

1. The Filmmaker must identify as South Asian. At least one primary character must identify as South Asian.

2. For the LGBTQIA+ Short, the writer or director must identify as South Asian and
LGBTQIA+. And first casting preference should be given to LGBTQIA+ actors.

3. The project must be in the script stage, with no production having started.

4. Script must be a maximum of 20 pages in length.

5. Must World Premiere at Tasveer Film Festival 2025.

6. Filmmakers must be mid-level, with 3+ years of industry experience and have made at
least 3 short films.

7. Submission materials must include bios for the key creative team, artistic statement,
artist career development, logline, synopsis, script, budget, and project timeline. Please
upload one combined PDF document.

SELECTION PROCESS

• The submitted scripts will be sent to Script Readers, who will review and evaluate each
film based on certain criteria. The film scripts will be anonymous during the initial round
of review.

• Shortlisted filmmakers will pitch their scripts during the Tasveer Film Market.

• The winner will be decided by experts and judges with filmmaking and producing
background.

• The selection process will be completely transparent, independent, and non-
discriminatory.

• Review criteria include Plot/Story, Characters/Subjects, Dialogue, South Asian USP, and
Producibility.

• The film script pitch session will involve a summary, a verbal pitch, a presentation deck, and a Q&A session.

For TASVEER CO-PRODUCTION MARKET PARTICIPANTS

1. The Writer / Director, must identify as South Asian. At least one primary character must identify as South Asian. Project should have South Asian Talent in key roles as Primary Cast or HOD attached .

2. The selected projects will be presented by their respective producer / director (as a team or solo) as part of the Tasveer Co-Production Market Open Pitch to be held at the Tagney Jones Hall, Seattle opera Centre as the opening session of the market. It will be attended by market delegates comprising potential investors, producers, studios, broadcast networks, sales agents, distributors, public funds, and digital platforms.

3. The open pitch will be followed by 2 days of pitching opportunities, mentorship and industry meetings for the Tasveer Co Production Select participants.

4. Deadline for submissions is July 22, 2024. The official selections will be unveiled by September 2024.

5. Only original projects or original adaptations of literary works with clear options can apply. Plagiarized work or lack of relevant paperwork in the case of adaptations or original projects will be immediately disqualified.

6. Once the project is selected, the submitters formally commit themselves to present the pitch at the Tasveer Co-Production Market Open Pitch 2024 and declare to be the sole and exclusive owner of all the rights related to the project, guaranteeing to have been granted full permissions by all the rights holders and therefore entitled to take part in the said events.

PARTICIPATION

1. The Tasveer Co-Production Market will take place from October 15th to 17th, 2024.

2. At least one representative must be available to represent the project and to take part in the meeting sessions and pitching training online leading up to the presentation.

TFM will provide selected project teams with:
--2 TFM badges
--2Nights3D stay X 1 hotel room with two queen beds.

For further info, get in touch at tfm@tasveer.org

ACCEPTANCE OF RULES & PROCEDURES

The submission of a project implies the unconditional acceptance of the TFM Co-Production Market Rules and Procedures as well as the acceptance of all decisions taken by the selection committee and/or the Director, which are final.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

-Finished projects stemming from the 2024 Co-Production Market & Pitching Forum’s meetings should mention Tasveer Film Market and display Tasveer’s logo in their credits.
Preferably, the following sentence should be mentioned in the credit list: "[Film Title] has been presented at the Tasveer Film Market [YEAR OF SELECTION] ." The Tasveer logo will be sent to the Filmmakers.

USE OF SUBMITTED MATERIALS

1. All submitted materials will be used for pre-selection and selection purposes and stored in the TFM archives. The materials will not be returned.

2. In case a project is selected, the submitted information may be published on TFM’s website, as well as on the Industry Guide and Book of Projects, and distributed among TFM’s attendees and badge holders.

3. They will also be used to advertise the 2024 edition of TFM Open Pitch and Film Fund as well as TFF&M 2024 and subsequent editions.

4. The submission of the form and materials indicates that the participant agrees to all terms and conditions of the Tasveer Film Market and takes complete responsibility for the materials submitted and the information provided for the market and project guides.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Projects will be evaluated on
-South Asian relevance
-Originality and innovation of the concept
-Storytelling quality
-Narrative arch/key characters' journey
-Potential for International production
-Artistic/Design value
-Market Potential/Commercial Value
-Production Value
-Track record of studio/production company
-Pitch quality
-Gender balance (storyline)
-Diversity and inclusion potential (storyline)
Once a project has been selected, at least one project representative must be present during the days of the TFM.
Attending the public pitching sessions and the one-to-one meetings is mandatory.
3 Reviews
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  • Ambarien Alqadar

    Great festival and a very good festival market with a focus on South Asia. This is a rare and one of its kind festival market where my project was selected and I recommend it highly.

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • 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
    Helpful
  • Janki Parekh

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

    November 2020
    Helpful