Netflix-Backed Tasveer Film Fund Awards $35k Production Grants to Four New Short Films

For independent filmmakers, securing funding for short narratives is notoriously difficult. The Tasveer Film Fund (TFF), backed by Netflix, is unique in offering substantial, transformative support rather than token “exposure.”

Tasveer has announced four winners for its 2025 Film Fund—each receiving a $35,000 production grant. This sixth-year Netflix-supported initiative stands out for its substantial investment in ambitious projects beyond industry norms.

This funding is specifically targeted at groundbreaking original narrative short films that center on untold South Asian stories. For the indie community, this signals a continued investment from major players like Netflix in the short-form medium—validating shorts not just as stepping stones but as vital cultural artifacts.

Investing in “Fearless” Voices

The grant package extends beyond just the check. Winners also receive year-long mentorship, a critical component that helps ensure these scripts successfully navigate the turbulent waters of physical production and post-production.

Rita Meher, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Tasveer, emphasized the specific narrative power of this year’s cohort.

These filmmakers are telling stories that are fearless, intimate, and deeply human,” said Meher. “With Netflix’s unwavering support, we’re helping amplify the future of storytelling.

A jury of prominent media producers oversaw the selection process. The panel included Bilal Sami (Executive Producer, Madoxy Media), Ramfis Myrthil (Founder, Ramfis Productions), and Nekissa Cooper (Board President, Chicken & Egg Pictures). Their involvement ensures these projects are vetted for artistic merit and market viability.

Meet the 2025 Winners

The four selected projects tackle intense themes, from metaphysical family trauma to the isolation of Alzheimer’s. Here is a closer look at the filmmakers and their short films, which will soon enter production:

Rising Tide | Andrea Drepaul

Andrea Drepaul’s project explores the lived experience of the Indo-Guyanese Canadian community, focusing on identity and generational dynamics within this less-represented South Asian diaspora.

• The story centers on a pregnant Indo-Guyanese Canadian woman whose estranged father returns, triggering a confrontation with consequences that blur the line between reality and the supernatural. This project reshapes the family drama genre with elements that evoke metaphysical change and emotional healing.

Mother Tongue | Kavita Parekh

This drama centers on the impact of language loss within immigrant families. Kavita Parekh depicts the emotional strain of caring for an elder who is losing their primary means of communication due to illness, highlighting the resulting isolation.

• The film follows Amanat, who, as Alzheimer’s progresses, can no longer speak English. Her daughter Meera, who struggles with Punjabi, faces growing distance from her mother as the language barrier strains their closest bond, revealing unique challenges for immigrant caregivers.

Petticoat | Priyanka Shailendra

Priyanka Shailendra’s film examines the struggle for body autonomy and mental wellness among South Asian women, especially as they face traditional family roles. The narrative confronts psychological distress and the desire for self-determination.

• The story follows a young South Asian woman who, after a breakdown in front of her family, seeks to reclaim control by dramatically pinning her sari into her skin. This disturbing action introduces a thriller element that underscores the intense pressure for perfection and its psychological costs.

Wellness | Gayatri Everitt Bajpai

Gayatri Everitt Bajpai’s script uses dark humor to explore the intersection between the commercial wellness industry and dysfunctional family relationships. The film investigates how self-improvement trends can mask or worsen family discord.

• The story depicts two sisters who disrupt their father’s silent retreat to deliver his divorce papers. The retreat’s enforced silence triggers rising family tensions, revealing rivalries and the difficulties of confronting change, all within an unconventional, dialogue-restricted setting.

The Road to Premiere

Production for these shorts is planned for the coming year, with premieres set for the Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle in October 2026.

For those unfamiliar, the Tasveer Film Festival is the world’s first and only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival. Premiering here offers these filmmakers a legitimate shot at Academy Award consideration—a massive value add on top of the production funding.

Past TFF recipients have premiered at global festivals and secured distribution, proving that this fund incubates talent that reaches wider audiences.

Uzma Khan and Anushree Shukla manage the fund. Tasveer is a crucial hub for South Asian independent cinema. For filmmakers, the bar is raised: personal, culturally specific stories with serious production value are in high demand.

While the 2025 submission window is closed, filmmakers should keep a close watch on Tasveer’s announcements for the next cycle.