Major Collaborations Unveiled at Inaugural Tasveer Film Market; Pakistani Actor Fawad Khan to Headline Two Projects
- The film market was part of the recently held 19th annual Oscar®-qualifying Tasveer Film Festival which showcased 110 films representing 15 countries, including 19 narrative features and 91 shorts.
The inaugural Tasveer Film Market has made a significant impact in the South Asian entertainment landscape, unveiling a series of major collaborations and a diverse slate of innovative projects. This landmark event has successfully showcased the creative potential of filmmakers and storytellers, paving the way for a vibrant future in South Asian cinema.
Among the standout announcements made at the film market, Modoxy Media, led by Mohammed Ali Naqvi, has partnered with Bilal Sami and Film Lab++ for the newsroom thriller series “Behind the Scenes.” Developed in collaboration with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, this international dark comedy features an impressive roster of talent, including acclaimed director-producer Mehreen Jabbar (“Jackson Heights,” “Ramchand Pakistani”), Sarmad Khoosat (“Joyland,” “Humsafar,” “Zindagi Tamasha”), and Mo Naqvi (“The Accused: Damned or Devoted?,” “Insha’Allah” “Democracy”), among others.
In another major announcement, Awedacious Originals, founded by Apoorva Bakshi and Monisha Thyagarajan, has onboarded two compelling projects from the debut Tasveer Film Market. The first, “Disruption,” is an Indian documentary film by Sarvnik Kaur, exploring the high-stakes game between an Indian farmer and a British corporation. The second, “The Prisoner,” is a gripping Pakistani episodic series created by Parisa Siddiqi and Ahmer Khan, based on Omar Shahid’s bestselling novel, featuring Fawad Khan in a pivotal role.
Lotus Visual Productions, under the leadership of Neeraj Churi, also announced the onboarding of two projects at the market. “NISA,” written and directed by Ambarien Alqadar, follows a 28-year-old Muslim woman as she navigates personal challenges. The second project, Lone Star Hijra,” directed by Sheila Sawhny, tells the poignant story of an Indian American transgender woman’s search for sisterhood.
Furthermore, Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga has joined the India-Australia co-production project “Whistle in the Wind” directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jahnu Barua, as a mentor and producer, further enhancing the project’s promise.
Rita Meher, executive director of the Tasveer Film Market, expressed her excitement, stating, “The collaborations formed here are a testament to the incredible talent and vision within our community. We are thrilled to see these projects come to fruition and to elevate South Asian narratives on the global stage. It’s heartening to know that the first Tasveer Film Market could serve as a platform for such wonderful talent.”
Among the other notable collaborations, “The Pharaoh of Pharma” directed by Zaki Chinde, “The Chili Score” directed by Vinny Anand & Ronald Austin and “Good Girls” by Hera Sheraz has been greenlit by Luminary Pictures, with Meher serving as producer.
Anupama Bose, associate director of the Tasveer Film Market, remarked, “The enthusiasm and response from industry professionals have been remarkable. These collaborations will not only entertain but also enrich the cultural dialogue around South Asian identities.”
The inaugural film market was part of the recently held 19th annual Oscar®-qualifying Tasveer Film Festival which showcased 110 films representing 15 countries, including 19 narrative features and 91 shorts. The lineup featured 36 world and 28 North American premieres, highlighting a strong commitment to gender diversity and inclusivity with 52 films by women, trans, and non-binary filmmakers. The festival concluded on a high note, with the announcement of the Audience Choice Awards, and Juried Competition Award winners. The awards ceremony followed a sold-out screening of Roshan Sethi’s “A Nice Indian Boy,” at the PAC SCI IMAX theater at Seattle Center.
The festival included two competitions — juried and audience-based. Winners were selected by a jury of industry professionals and by audience members through post-screening ballots.
Juried Competition Winners:
Best Feature Narrative: “All We Imagine As Light” by Payal Kapadia
Best Short Narrative: “Holy Curse” by Snigdha Kapoor
Best Feature Documentary: “Bhangaar “by Sumira Roy
Honorable Mentions: “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Now and Then” (Feature Documentary) and” Loop Line” (Short)
Tasveer Audience Choice Awards:
Best Narrative Feature: “A Nice Indian Boy” by Roshan Sethi
Best Narrative Short: “Pink” by Yassa Khan
Best Documentary Short: “A Dream Called Khushi” by Rishabh Jain
Best Actor: “Faizan Sheikh” from Stalled
Best Animation: “Loop Line” by Renuka Shahane
Best Director: Pooja Kaul for “The Umesh Chronicles”
Best LGBTQI Film:” Katlaa Curry” by Rohit Prajapati
Best Social Justice Film: “A Lullaby for Yellow Roses” by Rahul Roye
Best Children’s Film: “Gold Medal” by Ujjwal Patel