Tasveer Film Fund Opens Applications for Its Seventh Edition

The Tasveer Film Fund, North America’s leading grant and mentorship program dedicated to the perspective of South Asian stories, has officially opened submissions for its seventh edition. 

Launched in 2020 and expanded through a partnership with Netflix in 2021, the Fund was created to address a longstanding gap in the film industry: limited funding, mentorship, and professional access for mid-level North American filmmakers creating work from the perspective of South Asian stories. What began as a single-grant initiative has grown into a multi-project funding platform that supports bold, original short films and emerging creative voices each year.

Since its inception, the Tasveer Film Fund has supported 19 filmmakers and projects, providing production grants, industry mentorship, and opportunities to develop strong director’s samples that can help advance careers and attract industry attention. The program is designed to bridge the gap between emerging talent and professional opportunity, giving filmmakers the resources needed to move their projects from concept to completion.

Selected finalists participate in a live competitive pitch forum, where they present their projects to a panel of industry professionals. The experience is designed to accelerate project development, strengthen production readiness, and create direct connections with producers, executives, distributors, and decision-makers across the entertainment industry.

Four winning projects receive $35,000 in production support, along with mentorship from leading industry professionals and access to Tasveer’s growing network of creative and business leaders. Completed films premiere within Tasveer’s Oscar®-qualifying festival ecosystem, providing filmmakers with valuable exposure, festival visibility, and potential distribution opportunities.

“The program has become a proven launchpad for emerging South Asian voices, with alumni going on to earn festival selections, awards, fellowships, and development deals with major studios and platforms,” said Rita Meher, Executive Director of Tasveer, alongside Uzma Khan and Anushree Shukla, Co-Film Fund Managers. “Several alumni return as mentors and jurors, helping strengthen the ecosystem that supports the next generation of storytellers.”

Interest in the program continues to grow. Applications increased by 67% between 2024 and 2025, reflecting rising demand for platforms that champion authentic South Asian stories and meaningful pathways into the film industry.