Tasveer, the premier South Asian film festival in the United States, has revealed its prestigious jury for the 19th annual Tasveer Film Festival (TFF), running from October 17 to 20, 2024. Known for showcasing bold and diverse South Asian voices, the festival has cemented its place as one of the most important cultural events for South Asian cinema in North America, especially as it seeks Oscar-qualifying status in 2023. After.
Shaunak Sen Leads Prestigious Jury for 2024 Film Awards
This year's jury is led by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Shaunak Sen (All That Breathes) and includes a group of notable industry figures, including Geeta Vasant Patel, Emmy-nominated director of House of the Dragon and Ahsoka; Omi Vaidya, 3's favorite Indian-American actor and film producer idiot; and Yellow's BAFTA-nominated and Oscar-shortlisted director Elham Ehsaas. The jury also includes Kanak Mani Dixit, a prominent Nepalese journalist and civil rights activist, and Samia Zaman, a prominent Bangladeshi producer and chairperson of the International Film Initiative.
Other prominent members include Pakistani-American journalist and human rights lawyer Bina Sarwar; Arshad Khan, an award-winning filmmaker based in Canada (ABU); Saket Saurabh, an acclaimed cinematographer; And Priya Vashishtha, a professor and filmmaker, focused on queer South Asian stories. The jury will be led by Chaitanya Sarin, executive producer of acclaimed films like Meet the Patels and Yellow.
“I have long admired Tasveer's unwavering commitment to amplifying South Asian voices around the world. It is a privilege to return to the picture as Chair of the 2024 Film Festival Jury and contribute to this important mission,” said Shaunak Sen, Chair of the 2024 Jury.
Tasveer Film Festival has grown significantly this year, with nearly 500 entries from countries including the UK, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the US. A total of 110 films have been selected with a special focus on the themes of women empowerment, LGBTQIA+ issues, and immigrant stories. The films will highlight underrepresented perspectives with a unique exploration of masculine emotions, the experiences of veterans, and euthanasia.
The festival will culminate in an awards ceremony on October 20 at the PACCAR IMAX Theater in Seattle. Categories include Best Feature Story, Best Documentary, Best Short Story and Viewer's Choice Award. Specifically, the winning short film will become eligible for consideration at the 2025 Academy Awards. Last year's winner, Yellow (directed by Elham Ehsaas), was selected for the 96th Academy Awards.
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