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Tasveer Film Fund returns to champion untold South Asian stories
The initiative with Netflix will support original short films that explore untold South Asian stories.
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Pranavi Sharma - Sun, 29, Jun 2025
- 22:36 EDT
- 25
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Poster of the find. / Tasveer Film Fund
The Tasveer Film Fund has launched its 2025–2026 cycle in Seattle, awarding four grants of $35,000 each to mid-level South Asian filmmakers in the U.S. and Canada. The initiative, now in its sixth year, continues its partnership with Netflix to support original short films that explore untold South Asian stories.
The live pitch session will be held during the Tasveer Film Market from Oct. 7 to 10, 2025, at the newly reopened Tasveer Film Center, formerly Ark Lodge Cinemas. Nine finalists will be selected to present their short film proposals to a jury of producers and distributors. Four projects will be awarded funding.
Submissions are open on FilmFreeway and will close on Aug. 5.
“The Tasveer Film Fund is more than just financial support—it’s a powerful movement to elevate South Asian stories globally,” said Rita Meher, executive director of Tasveer. She was joined by Anushree Shukla, associate director of the Tasveer Film Market, in announcing the fund's latest cycle.
Since its inception in 2020, the Tasveer Film Fund has supported 15 filmmakers, many of whom have continued to work in the industry.
Meera Joshi, the 2024 fund winner and writer-director of The Sale, spoke about the experience of pitching at Tasveer.
“I’m so honored that Tasveer recognized my story, and they recognized The Sale and recognized me as a filmmaker,” said Joshi. “The kind of responses that I got to my film pitch were so moving and has carried me through the whole production process.”
The Tasveer Film Market was launched in 2023 as the first North American industry hub focused on South Asian stories. It connects filmmakers with decision-makers and aims to increase visibility for underrepresented voices.
Founded in 2002, Tasveer is a nonprofit based in Seattle that runs the Tasveer Film Festival—the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival in the world. The organization focuses on using storytelling to drive social change and build platforms for South Asian creatives.
The 2025–2026 grants mark an expansion in Tasveer's effort to support mid-level filmmakers who may lack institutional access despite demonstrated talent.
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