The Tasveer South Asian Film Festival has become the first South Asian Film Festival to earn the status of an Oscar-qualifying film festival in the world. The festival is held annually in Seattle.
This milestone allows the award-winning films at TSAFF to be eligible for consideration for the Academy Awards, amplifying the reach of South Asian stories and opening new doors of opportunity for filmmakers from the region.
"We are ecstatic to announce this incredible milestone," said Rita Meher, executive director and co-founder of Tasveer. "We have always believed in the power of South Asian stories and this achievement means that these stories will now be recognized on one of the world's most respected cinematic stages. This is a monumental step forward for South Asian cinema."
The festival attributes the achievement to the relentless efforts and hard work of Meher, including Ariel Brownstein, whose contributions have played an integral part in this journey. TSAFF also wishes to express profound gratitude to Richa Rudola, Fawzia Mirza, and Srihari Sathe, for their support in this process.
"This is a testament to the collective efforts of a community that believes in the power of South Asian narratives," Meher added. "We thank everyone who has been part of this journey. It is your belief in us, our mission, and the stories we tell that has led us to this unprecedented moment."
Tasveer South Asian Film Festival www.tasveerfestival.org