Seattle’s Tasveer Film Festival & Market is back for its 20th anniversary, running October 8–12, 2025, at the newly minted Tasveer Film Center. The festival stands alone as the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian event, doubling as a springboard for South Asian and diaspora talent.

The official lineup, revealed at this week’s launch party, boasts 109 films from 22 countries, 43 of them world premieres. Highlights include opening night’s “Little Jaffna” from Lawrence Valin, the North American premiere of Dechen Roder’s “I, the Song” as the centerpiece, and “Farming the Revolution” by Nishtha Jain, making its Washington State debut. Other must-sees: “Have You Heard Judi Singh?,” “Humans in the Loop,” and closing night’s world premiere “Zewel” by ‘Q’.

“We’ve stayed true to our mission of uplifting South Asian voices by bringing bold, thought-provoking films to Seattle,” Tasveer Film Festival and Market executive director, Rita Meher, said in a press statement. 

The Market

The Tasveer Film Market, now in its second year, has grown into a serious industry destination. Executives from Jordan Peele’s Monkey Paw Productions, Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, Waititi Productions, Atomic Monster, and Hisako Films are expected. This year’s Market includes a full day focused on AI and its role in filmmaking, along with panels, networking, live pitches, and one-on-one meetings for filmmakers and buyers.

Since 2020, Tasveer has funneled $228,000 in grants via Netflix partnerships to champion underrepresented South Asian filmmakers. Award-winning filmmaker and artistic director Mohammed Ali Naqvi, who recently joined the festival, calls the Market “a dream come true,” pointing to partnerships with leading entertainment and tech firms as a launchpad for diasporic filmmakers.

The festival also doubles as a creative hub. Industry panels, live pitches, networking receptions, and the Producers Lab foster collaboration and mentorship, making it an essential stop for anyone following South Asian cinema.

For additional information on passes, badges, and single tickets for screenings and events visit here.