The Tasveer Film Festival and Market showcases South Asian cinema and has earned renown for its prestigious Oscar-qualifying status. The festival will open with the Pakistani film Wakhri and Indian Move Line Loop. Meanwhile, Wakhri is a film that promises to captivate audiences with its unique storyline and powerful performances.
The 19th edition of the Tasveer Film Festival and Market (TFFM), the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival, will kick off on October 15 in Seattle, USA. This year’s festival will open with two major films: Wakhri from Pakistan and Loop Line from India.
TFFM announced its plans for the opening night of its 2024 run on its website. “Get ready for a night of cinematic magic at our film festival kickoff!” it declared. “Start with an exclusive red carpet reception — walk the carpet, snap photos, and soak up the glamour. Then, dive into the films Loop Line and Wakhri at the iconic PACCAR IMAX Theatre,” the announcement added.
TFFM stands out as the only South Asian festival that allows its winning films to qualify for the prestigious Academy Awards (Oscars). However, this year, the festival is also making history by launching North America’s first-ever global film market for South Asian filmmakers.
The festival will begin with a red carpet event at the PACCAR IMAX Theatre. Later the festival followed by the screenings of Loop Line and Wakhri. Wakhri, directed by Iram Parveen Bilal, tells the story of a widowed schoolteacher who becomes a social media sensation. In addition, the film was inspired by the life of Qandeel Baloch. She was a Pakistani social media personality who was tragically murdered in 2016.
After the screenings, there will be a Q&A session with the Wakhri team, including filmmaker Bilal and producer Abid Aziz Merchant. Moreover, attendees can also enjoy delicious Pakistani food and music performances by South Asian DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid.
In addition to Wakhri, the festival will showcase a variety of other films. The list includes The Umesh Chronicles (featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Babil Khan), A Nice Indian Boy, and several queer and feminist films.
