Mumbai: The highly anticipated 19th edition of the Tasveer Film Festival & Market (TFFM) is set to make history this 15-20 October 2024, at Seattle Center, marking a pivotal moment for South Asian cinema in North America. Not only does this year’s festival celebrate the vibrant storytelling of the region, but it also launches North America’s first-ever global film market dedicated to South Asian filmmakers. Running from October 15-17, the Tasveer Film Market (TFM) will feature the celebrated, award-winning filmmaker Deepa Mehta (Fire, Water) as the inaugural keynote speaker, setting the stage for an unmissable event.
The Tasveer Film Market is a groundbreaking initiative designed to reshape financial and distribution models for South Asian filmmakers worldwide. With a focus on expanding the reach and fostering collaboration, the market will host events such as the Co-Production Market, Tasveer Film Fund pitches (supported by Netflix), industry panels, and networking sessions. These activities aim to empower creatives by connecting them with producing partners, distributors, and global platforms.
The Tasveer Film Market will include keynotes by influential figures such as directors Deepa Mehta, and Pan Nalin (Last Film Show, Angry Indian Goddesses), and representatives from companies such as CAA, WME, Blumhouse, NBCU Launch, Amazon MGM Studios, Red Sea Film Foundation, and more.
“As the first film market dedicated to the South Asian community, our mission is to build a groundbreaking platform where diverse voices can thrive and be heard,” said Rita Meher, Founder of the Tasveer Film Market and Co-Founder of the Tasveer Film Festival. “By carving out this space, we aim to empower underrepresented filmmakers, amplify South Asian stories, and foster global connections that will bring these narratives to the world stage.”
Deepa Mehta added, “Tasveer Film Festival’s legacy and contribution to South Asian cinema is one for the history books. Launching the first South Asian film market on a global scale could not have come at a better time. I am honoured to inaugurate the Tasveer Film Market this year.”
Meticulously curated projects, including Narrative, Documentary, and TV projects, all seeking producing partners, Minimum Guarantee (MG) deals, sales, and distribution will be showcased at the market. Tasveer's flagship Tasveer Film Fund Short Film Pitches, supported by Netflix, will have finalists present their projects for a chance to secure a $25,000 grant, with a total of $75,000 available in funding.
As the only Oscar®️ qualifying South Asian Film Festival in the world in the short film category, Tasveer has championed social change through the power of South Asian storytelling. This year’s Tasveer Film Festival (TFF), from 15-20 October 2024, is a testament to that commitment and will showcase 110 films including 36 world premieres, 28 North American premieres, 45 Seattle premieres, and 19 feature films from 15 countries (Bangladesh, Canada, France, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, India, United Kingdom, United States, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, and Sweden).
91 short films are a part of the class of the 2024 edition with 35 world premieres, 22 North American premieres, and 33 Seattle premieres. Some of the impressive short films in the lineup are Yassa Khan’s Pink (World Premiere), Rippen Sindher’s Flight 182 (N. American Premiere), Tathagata Ghosh’s If (Seattle premiere), and more. 52 films of the 110 films showcased at the festival are by women, trans, and non-binary directors.
This year the festival boasts of prolific jury members who will be in attendance such as Oscar-nominated filmmaker Shaunak Sen (All That Breathes), actor Omi Vaidya (3 Idiots) and director Geeta V. Patel (House of the Dragon).
Some of the selected films that reflect the vision and filmmaking artistry of South Asian filmmakers and important issues from the subcontinent and diaspora are Payal Kapadia’s feature narrative debut, All We Imagine as Light - the 2024 Cannes Grand Prix winner, Iram Parveen Bilal’s social media true story, Wakhri, Nik Dodani’s LGBTQIA+ semi-autobiographical drama, Blue Boy, and more.
The 19th edition of the Tasveer Film Festival will feature engaging fireside chats, post-film Q&As with filmmakers from around the world, and a remarkable lineup of industry talents.
Film Festival Highlights:
1. Opening Night Feature: Wakhri, Directed by Iram Parveen Bilal
2. Centerpiece: The Umesh Chronicles, Directed by Puja Kaul
3. Closing Night Feature: A Nice Indian Boy, Directed by Roshan Sethi
4. Tasveer Emerald Spotlight: The Cannes Grand Prix 2024 winner - All We Imagine As Light, Directed by Payal Kapadia
5. LGBTQIA+ Film: Blue Boy, Directed by Nik Dodani
6. Documentary Short: Yatra, Directed by Hemal Trivedi and Matt Alesevich
7. Mental Health: The Tides That Binds Us, Directed by Gavin Sea
8. Local Focus: Last 30 Days, Directed by Vivek Roy
9. Girl Power: Anuja, Directed by Adam J. Graves
10. Music Focus: Too Beautiful: A Spaceman Story, Directed by Utkarsh Ambodkar & Alex Salsberg
