SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, July 14, 2020 – In an unprecedented effort by the South Asian film festival community in North America and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, seven well-established South Asian film institutions are unifying to host the Coalition of South Asian Film Festivals (CoSAFF). The first-of-its-kind virtual festival will run for 15 days from October 3-17, featuring online screenings of the latest films and virtual Q&As with the creators. It will also include unique virtual events focused on key industry topics and panel discussions on the intersection of current news topics and the South Asian arts community.
CoSAFF is being produced by Tasveer, a South Asian social justice arts non-profit organization based in Seattle, bringing together the following festivals as CoSAFF’s constituent members:
Tasveer South Asian Film Festival (TSAFF), Seattle
Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF), Chicago
DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF), Washington DC
Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF), Mississauga/Toronto
Nepal America International Film Festival (NAIFF), Maryland
South Asian Film Festival of Montreal (SAFFM), Montreal
Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival (VISAFF), Vancouver
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused upheaval in the film industry resulting in loss of revenue and uncertainty for arts organizations and the filmmakers. In order to help the film community and encourage viewership of independent cinema, CoSAFF is curating cutting-edge, criticallyacclaimed films and making them accessible to the public free of cost.
In a joint statement, the Coalition adds:
“We’re excited and honored to be coming together during this very challenging time, in a show of unity and in pursuit of the creation of something meaningful for all our communities to engage with. Now is the time to collaborate rather than compete, and to work together to support our film professionals. CoSAFF’s efforts will provide filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their hard work to the widest possible audience in a respectful and secure manner. And, in turn, for all our audiences to have a shared experience watching these films without the burden of having to pay for them.
Filmmaking and storytelling are not just crafts but also a crucial way for us to share emotions and experiences with each other, especially during difficult times. We’re planning a rich and diverse programming lineup which will represent the very best filmmaking voices of South Asians from around the globe.
We can’t wait to bring CoSAFF to the audiences of North America and the world.
” Representatives from all participating festivals are available for interviews and quotes.
CoSAFF 2020 Participating Festivals:
Tasveer South Asian Film Festival (TSAFF), Seattle
Tasveer is a South Asian social justice arts non-profit organization. Tasveer’s mission is to inspire social change through thought-provoking South Asian films, art, and storytelling. We envision an informed and just society where honest stories of lived experiences are heard loud and clear. And through this we strive to empower, transform, inspire, heal, and entertain the community.
Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF), Chicago
The Chicago South Asian Film Festival is one of the largest multicultural events in the heartland of America and is dedicated to advancing diversity in Chicagoland through cinema, conversation, and culture. The Festival was founded in 2010 by the Chicago South Asian Arts Council, a non-profit organization that aims to promote creativity and culture through art.
DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF), Washington DC
Hosted by the DC South Asian Arts Council, the DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF) is one of the most celebrated screen events on the Washington, D.C. cultural calendar. The festival takes place annually in the heart of the nation’s capital, showcasing the best in alternative cinema from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF), Toronto
MISAFF is the premier South Asian film festival of Canada presenting award-winning and critically acclaimed titles as well as Canadian films to cinephiles across the Greater Toronto Area. Deeply rooted in diverse, conscientious, and social-justice-oriented programming, MISAFF creates a safe space for filmmakers and film lovers to interact and enjoy the art and science of cinema.
Nepal America International Film Festival (NAIFF), Maryland
Nepal America International Film Festival (NAIFF) is an annual film event organized by the Nepal America Film Society which works to bridge cultures and communities through film. The festival takes place in the Washington DC Metro area (Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC) in collaboration with organizations and personalities from the film fraternity. NAFS strongly encourages collaboration efforts of individuals and organizations from the Nepali and International diaspora.
South Asian Film Festival of Montreal (SAFFM), Montreal
South Asian Film Festival of Montreal (SAFFMontreal) is presented by Kabir Centre for Arts &
Culture, a not-for-profit multi-disciplinary organization promoting various art forms and activities
such as South Asian Classical music and dance, cinema, literature, and poetry.
Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival (VISAFF), Vancouver
Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival celebrates stories usually not represented by mainstream cinema or contemporary Bollywood film formulas. Features, shorts, web series, music videos, and documentaries, all chosen to engage, educate and inspire audiences by promoting free expression, cross-cultural interactions and understanding, and combating intolerance and stereotypes.
PRESS IMAGES:
High-resolution images are available in our press room
WEBPAGE:: www.cosaff.org
CONTACT:
For further information or to request interviews with any of the participating festivals, please
contact: [email protected]
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