Announcing Tasveer Film Fund 2023 WINNERS!
In 2020, the Tasveer Film Fund (TFF) was established with the mission of providing financial support and mentorship to independent filmmakers of South Asian descent in the United States and Canada. Since its inception, TFF has distributed $85,000 to these filmmakers to help them bring untold South Asian stories to screen.
In the current year, TFF is proud to announce a significant increase in the grant value, now offering up to $25,000 for each film category. This represents a fivefold increase from the initial grant amount of $5,000 in the fund’s inaugural year.
For the first time this year, TFF is open to Canada-based applicants in addition to US-based applicants. Tasveer Film Fund is funded by Tasveer and Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.
After a rigorous process of deliberating over every script and the pitch sessions where the top three contenders for each category presented their film scripts to a panel of judges, we have arrived at the winners for each Tasveer Film Fund category.
2023 TASVEER FILM FUND WINNERS
Amidst the eerie silence of night, Yassin faces a life-altering decision at a desolate bus stop. But fate takes an unexpected turn, propelling him and his resolute cousin Ayesha into a relentless quest for justice against an unforgivable injustice.
2022 TASVEER FILM FUND WINNERS
Tasveer Film Fund 2022 Awardees:
A woman with severe OCD is forced to examine why a sense of “home” is beyond her control.
Young Muslim transman Adam Harry dreams of becoming a Commercial Pilot, armed with a scholarship, a growing fanbase and media presence. Will this be enough to help Adam defy bureaucratic discrimination and continue his training to become first transgender Commercial Pilot of Indian origin?
When, Mustafa, the Imam of a mosque in rural Florida learns that a young trans man has been praying in the men’s section of the mosque, the Imam faces a moral and ethical crisis of faith as he decides if his loyalty is to uphold the established values of his mosque or to protect this trans man’s safety and spiritual belonging.
When Hafsa, a sparkly and impulsive 12-year-old girl, is made aware of her unibrow at Islamic Sunday School in a lesson on “cleanliness”, her chatty and aunty-like eyebrows come to life and begin to speak to her.
Tasveer Film Fund 2021 Awardees
Tasveer Film Fund 2020 Awardee
FAQs
What are the submission guidelines?
- Script submitted must be at most 20 pages long for Short Film, written in standard script format. For the documentary, attach a documentary proposal in PDF format. Include a trailer and/or example clip (required).
- For short films, we fund projects from the pre-production stage.
- For the documentary category we fund projects in the post-production stage.
- Scripts must be submitted in English, even if they might be shot in another language. Filmmakers must be based in the US & Canada and with a US or Canadian bank account to receive funds.
- Filmmakers must be of South Asian heritage. Preference will be given to scripts with a social justice theme based on the South Asian diaspora experience.
- If your script/story discriminates against people of any background, ethnicity, religion, race, sexuality, or gender, you will be disqualified.
- Filmmakers must include an estimated top-sheet production budget and indicate how the funds will be utilized.
- Submission fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the submission.
- Scripts submitted in previous years will not be eligible for resubmission in the current season. Filmmakers are required to have produced at least one film previously.
Am I eligible for Tasveer Film Fund?
If you are a South Asian or someone of South Asian heritage living in the US and Canada, you are most definitely eligible to apply for Tasveer Film Fund.
What do you mean by South Asian or South Asia?
South Asia refers to the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. South Asian refers to anyone who belongs to these countries or has a lineage and heritage from this region.
If I win this award, does it stop me from applying for other film grants?
No. You can apply for other grants and resources to complete your film if necessary.
I have a story about a queer character, but I do not identify as LGBTQIA+. In which category do I apply for Tasveer Film Fund?
You can submit your film for the Short Narrative category.
What does LGBTQIA+ Short Film mean?
We want queer South Asian stories and films to become mainstream and a part of public discourse. For this reason, we have a dedicated category for LGBTQIA+ Short Film in Tasveer Film Fund so queer filmmakers are able to cinematically represent their experiences and what it means to be queer and South Asian.
My short film is already in production and I need additional grants to complete the film. Am I eligible to apply for Tasveer Film Fund?
Yes, you can most certainly apply for Tasveer Film Fund.
What is the duration for each film category in Tasveer Film Fund?
Short Film: 15 minutes
LGBTQ+ Short Film: 15 minutes
Documentary Film: 40 minutes max.
How long should my script be?
For Short Narrative and LGBTQ+ Short: 5-20 pages
For Documentary: A documentary proposal for a short subject film in post-production
I applied for Tasveer Film Fund but cannot attend the pitch session in-person. Can I still win the grant?
Some from one the team has to be present during the pitch session. The pitch will take place between 11-12 Oct. at Tagney Jones, 363 Mercer St. Seattle, WA 98109
Can I make multiple submissions to each category of TFF?
Yes, you can make as many submissions to each category of Tasveer Film Fund. Each submission will be considered an individual entry and will require a submission fee.
Please Note: The LGBTQIA+ category is open only to filmmakers who identify as LGBTQIA+.
What kind of mentorship and support will I receive if I win this grant?
Tasveer will offer the following resources to our winners:
- You will have access to 25 hours of training and mentorship from Tasveer, dedicated to bring your project to life.
- We will help you network with the film community to get the resources you need to complete your film.
- There will be a dedicated session about the best way to distribute your film.
- Your film will premiere at our 2024 Tasveer Film Festival.
What are the submission guidelines?
- Script submitted must be at most 20 pages long for Short Film, written in standard script format. For the documentary, attach a documentary proposal in PDF format. Include a trailer and/or example clip (required).
- For short films, we fund projects from the pre-production stage.
- For the documentary category we fund projects in the post-production stage.
- Scripts must be submitted in English, even if they might be shot in another language. Filmmakers must be based in the US & Canada and with a US or Canadian bank account to receive funds.
- Filmmakers must be of South Asian heritage. Preference will be given to scripts with a social justice theme based on the South Asian diaspora experience.
- The script/story cannot discriminate against people of any background, ethnicity, religion, race, sexuality, or gender.
- Filmmakers must include an estimated top-sheet production budget and indicate how the funds will be utilized.
- Submission fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the submission.
- Scripts submitted in previous years will not be eligible for resubmission in the current season. Filmmakers are required to have produced at least one film previously.
Are submission fees refundable?
No. Your submission fee is a one-time fee and it is non-refundable.
I am a struggling filmmaker. Can I get a waiver for my submission fee?
While we deeply empathize with your situation as a struggling filmmaker, we are unable to grant a waiver for the submission fee. We believe in maintaining a fair and standard process for all applicants. We encourage you to still consider applying and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.
After execution of the story, who will have copyrights of the film ?
You will retain the copyrights. Tasveer will have production credit.
Are you planning to help film makers with distribution ?
Yes, at the film summit you will have access to distributors. And as a part of the mentorship, we will introduce you to distributors.
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