TSAFF 2023 is the only South Asian film festival eligible for Oscars. The line-up includes a collection of 83 films including documentaries, features and shorts, reports the #Newsdesk

The Tasveer South Asian Film Festival (TSAFF) will hold its 18th edition from October 12 to 22 across multiple venues in Seattle. This year, TSAFF makes history by becoming the first and only South Asian film festival whose winning films are eligible for submission to the prestigious Oscars. 

With the theme of "Breaking Cinematic Barriers," this year's line-up unveils an impressive collection of 83 selected films spanning diverse genres and captivating themes. The carefully curated selection includes 23 features, 60 shorts, 20 documentaries, and 63 narratives among others.

"We are committed to presenting a program of unparalleled depth and significance. Our festival winners can directly compete in the Academy Awards run, allowing authentic South Asian narratives to shine on the grandest stage, unfiltered and unmediated”, said Tasveer co-founder Rita Meher.

A few of the festival's most anticipated films include "Blue Sunshine," a biopic on transgender woman, Samyuktha Vijayan, and the Sri Lankan drama "Munnel (Sand in Tamil)," which will have its world premiere on the festival's first night.

Films like "Alien," which sheds light on the plight of Indian immigrants in the United States on H1B visas, and "Between Earth and Sky", a climate action film based on the life of renowned ecologist Nalini Nadkarni are also part of the line-up.

The festival kicks off with in-person screenings from October 12 to 15 at premier venues. It will continue in a virtual format on TasveerTV from October 16 to 22. 

About Tasveer

Since 2004, Tasveer Film Festival has been showcasing the best of South Asian films and provide a platform to amplify under-represented South Asian voices. The festival places a spotlight on South Asian filmmakers and strive to carry our mission of stimulating thinking and social change through films, Q&As, panels, and workshops, which in turn empower, transform, heal, and entertain attendees.

Every year in October, Tasveer South Asian Film Festival brings films from all parts of South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet) as well as its Diaspora from all parts of the world. 

Some highlights, and proudest achievements are exhibiting films from trailblazing filmmakers like Shaunak Sen, Mariam Ghani, Roya Sadat, and others long before their recognition.

We’ve also provided a platform for niche storytellers like Tibetan directors Ritu Sarin & Tenzing Sonam or Anand Patwardhan, whose unique perspectives are not always welcome in theaters due to geopolitical pressures.

From team Tasveer:

After years of relentless dedication and hard work, we are ecstatic to stand proudly beside a festival that has not just transcended boundaries but shattered them entirely. This year, Tasveer has etched its name in history as the first-ever Oscar-qualifying film festival within the South Asian realm.

This prestigious recognition from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is a culmination of our tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to the South Asian dream. It signifies a monumental shift in the landscape of South Asian cinema, streamlining the path for deserving films. Winning at Tasveer now opens a direct gateway for these films to enter the esteemed Oscar race, eliminating the need for intermediaries and allowing authentic South Asian narratives to shine unfiltered and unmediated.

No longer confined to the limitations of a handful of film festivals like Sundance, Tribeca, or Cannes, which often restrict the visibility and screening opportunities for South Asian films, this recognition empowers our cinema to compete on the grandest stage.

The schedule can be accessed by following the link below:

https://tasveerfestival.org/schedule/