Awesome International Film Festival (AwesomeIFF)

Awesome International Film Festival (AwesomeIFF) is New York City's premier celebration of South Asian diaspora cinema and global independent storytelling. Hosted at the iconic SVA Theatre in Manhattan, AwesomeIFF brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences united by a love of authentic, diverse, and boundary-pushing narratives.

Founded by Awesome TV (Ritesh Parikh) — a South Asian diaspora entertainment network with over 1.5 million followers across platforms — AwesomeIFF is built on a decade of championing NRI voices in media, entertainment, and culture.

We welcome submissions across all genres and formats — Narrative (Short & Feature), Documentary (Short & Feature), Animation, Music Video, Student, Social Media Content Creator (Influencer), and AI-Driven — from filmmakers of all backgrounds who have a story worth telling.

We invite multicultural filmmakers to share stories that reflect diverse people and perspectives.

Why Submit to AwesomeIFF?
- Screened at SVA Theatre, one of NYC's most prestigious independent cinema venues
- Exposure to a global film audience and industry professionals worldwide
- Access to Awesome TV's media platform — awesometv.com, social reach of 1.5M+, and AWSM Times editorial coverage
- Networking with Bollywood, Hollywood, and independent film industry professionals
- Awards ceremony recognizing excellence across categories

AwesomeIFF Advisors

David S. Zucker — Show Creator, Executive Producer, Producer & Writer, David Zucker Productions Inc. (Los Angeles). A New York-raised writer and producer with extensive experience in film financing, distribution, and television development across domestic and international markets.

Tirlok Malik — New York Emmy Award-nominated Actor, Film Producer & CEO, Apple Productions. Founder of NRI TV Film Club and producer of landmark NRI cinema since 1990, including "Lonely in America" (HBO, 37 festivals, 74 countries). Recognized by The New York Times, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and honored by the NYC Mayor's Office and Manhattan Borough President. Recipient of the Pride of India Gold Medal from the Indian Ambassador to the USA.

Sarba Das - Award-winning entertainment executive, film advisor, and creative strategist with a strong focus on Hollywood and global cinema. Passionate about discovering powerful stories and supporting visionary filmmakers, she brings deep experience in film development, media, branding, and international industry collaborations. Her work champions bold voices, cinematic excellence, and projects with worldwide audience appeal.

Sattie Persaud, founder of the World Heritage Cultural Center, champions cultural preservation and community engagement. She promotes diversity, dialogue, and supports artists through global programs and partnerships with over 850 cultural groups. Her work emphasizes storytelling, education, and the arts as vital tools for preserving identity and strengthening cultural connections.

Additional jury members from film, television, and the creative arts will be announced in the coming weeks.

AwesomeIFF is more than a film festival — it is a movement that amplifies underrepresented voices and connects the global creative community through the power of storytelling.

Where Every Story Deserves a Stage. Cinema Without Borders.