Highlighting Emerging South Asian Filmmakers Alongside Established Contemporaries

Hosted by DC South Asian Arts Council Inc, a non profit 501 (c) (3) organization, the Washington 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 America’s capitol, showcasing the best in alternative cinema from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Each year, alongside its tightly curated screening programme of features, documentaries and shorts, DCSAFF hosts exclusive media presentations, retrospectives and special tributes. The festival is dedicated to providing a platform for both film enthusiasts and industry professionals to exchange ideas through post-screening discussions, industry panels and networking events. DCSAFF provides filmmakers an opportunity to reach out to a potential 600,000 South Asians living in the tri-state area (DC, Maryland and Virginia).

Since its inception, DCSAFF has also been committed to giving back by championing local charities, including: Upakar Foundation, Ekal Vidhyala, Global India Fund, American India Fund, ASHA, Pratham and The Humsafar Trust.