Calling all independent filmmakers and documentarians! The first edition of the Bay Area South Asia Film Festival (BASAFF 2018) is admitting submissions for independent feature films, fictional/live action short films and documentary films.
The inaugural edition of BASAFF, an initiative of Bay Area South Asian Films and Enacte Arts Inc, in association with US Asia Innovative Gateway, will be held at Mountain View and Palo Alto, California, from 21 to 23 September 2018.
Shiladitya Bora’s Platoon One Films has come on board as official consultant to the festival.
The festival will hand out awards in six categories — Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Director (feature), Best Director (short), Best Actor (feature) and Best Actress (feature).
The last date to submit films on the festival’s website is 20 August 2018; there will be a late submission fee of $80. The final lineup of films will be announced by 31 August 2018.
In a statement, Aniruddha Dasgupta, founder and festival director of BASAFF, said, “San Francisco Bay Area is known across the world for its undying spirit of encouraging experimentation and innovation in the field of technology. The goal of BASAFF 2018 is to extend that legacy in the world of filmmaking and entertainment. We believe that when technology meets entertainment, possibilities are endless.”
The festival’s artistic director from EnActe Arts, Vinita Sud Belani, said, “The story of San Francisco Bay Area, one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the world, is the composite story of many origins and a common goal — disruption. Be it theatre or film, we are constantly seeking, in the stories that connect, educate and entertain us, that which will transform us. Our goal at BASAFF 2018 is to present the stories that make you say ‘That, transforms me’!”
The San Francisco Bay Area is known for its love of cinema, as there is a film festival running almost every month of the year. BASAFF is the latest to join that esteemed list. The festival hopes to open opportunities for South Asian storytelling amongst filmmakers and audiences.