Written by Tasnia Habib
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published on July 20, 2020 and has since been updated and now includes information regarding the virtual film festival being hosted in October 2020 by the Coalition of South Asian Film Festivals (CoSAFF), of which Tasveer is a member of.
The Tasveer South Asian Film Festival (TSAFF) is the largest South Asian film festival in the United States, taking place annually in Seattle, Washington. According to co-founder and Executive Director Rita Meher, the festival receives about 250 films and screens about 60-70 films. In past years, TSAFF has presented films and forums on South Asia and its diaspora on the issues of human rights, LGBTQ films, women’s rights and other social justice issues. This year the festival will focus on South Asian Diaspora stories.
After the screening of the film Kafinama at last year’s Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Tasveer.
TSAFF is produced by nonprofit arts organization Tasveer, which was founded in 2002. Rita Meher and her co-founder Farah Nousheen, who both have experience in the film industry, established Tasveer in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks that prompted an onslaught of negative media portrayals of South Asians. Nousheen and Meher wanted to provide a platform for South Asian filmmakers and artists to tell their own stories.
“We have been empowering the South Asian community through storytelling,” said Meher.
Since then, Tasveer has hosted many opportunities for South Asian artists to showcase their work, including the Tasveer Film Festival, Tasveer South Asian Lit Festival, and Aaina, an arts festival focused on the experiences of South Asian women.
Tasveer Co-Found Rita Meher, actress Shabana Azmi and guest liaison Siddhi Gha at last year’s film festival. Photo courtesy of Tasveer.
Due to COVID-19, all of Tasveer’s in-person events and festivals have been cancelled. Instead, Tasveer and six other South Asian film festivals throughout the USA and Canada are coming together, to join collective efforts in creating a virtual film festival that will take place online from October 3rd through October 17th. The Coalition of South Asian Film Festivals (CoSAFF) will stream films and host Q&As with filmmakers, as well as other conversations on industry topics relating to the South Asian community. Along with Tasveer, the coalition includes the South Asian Film Festivals in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Montreal, Vancouver, the Mosaic Film Festival in Toronto and the Nepal America International Film Festival in Maryland. More information about CoSAFF can be found on their website.
This year, Tasveer has also launched the Tasveer Film Fund. The Tasveer Film Fund is the first ever dedicated grant for South Asian filmmakers in the United States. The fund will award a $5,000 grant to a South Asian filmmaker.
“We believe that we need to really support artists and storytellers, not just by showcasing their films, but in creating them,” said Meher.
The grantee will be announced in October 2020. Script submissions will be accepted until July 31, 2020. The script must be between 5 and 20 pages in length, and incorporate a social justice issue or theme in the story.
To submit your screenplay, visit their FilmFreeway site.
Awards
Tasveer Emerald Award: Awarded to highly accomplished filmmakers in Recognition of Significant Contribution to South Asian Film and Diaspora Stories.
Archana Soy Audience Award for Emerging Directors
Best Narrative
Best Documentary
Best Short
2019 Award Winners
Best Narrative:Laal Kabootar
Best Feature Documentary:Pariah Dog
Best Short Film: Dunkey Following European Dream
Audience at Tasveer South Asian Festival 2019. Photo courtesy of Tasveer.