SEATTLE – Today, Rita Meher and Tasveer Film Festival and Market were awarded the 2025 Mayor’s Film Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film. During the opening night gala for the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), Rita Meher and Tasveer Film Festival and Market were recognized for their contributions to the film industry, promoting Seattle as a filmmaking hub, and amplifying stories from the South Asian diaspora.
“Here in Seattle, we are a city where creativity thrives, and film is at the center of our creative spirit. Each year, we present the Mayor’s Film Award to recognize the extraordinary storytellers who are contributing to Seattle’s film scene,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Rita Meher’s visionary leadership and dedication have not only elevated the profile of South Asians in film but have helped transform Seattle into a hub for independent and international films and film production. Her contributions embody the creative spirit and inclusivity that make Seattle truly special, and we are immensely proud to honor her achievements.”
Meher co-founded Tasveer in 2002 to fight stereotypes and give the world a glimpse into the lives of South Asians through film, art, and storytelling. Under her leadership as co-founder and executive director, the Tasveer Film Festival grew from a screening in a Seattle bookstore to the world’s only Oscar qualifying South Asian Film Festival.
In 2024, Meher led the organization’s efforts to create the Tasveer Film Market. This global initiative connects filmmakers, producers, distributors, and industry professionals for project pitches. The inaugural event brought more than 1,200 people who work in the film industry and resulted in seven deals by the close of the market. This new initiative strengthens Seattle’s position as a film industry destination, bringing in studios, productions, directors, and producers from around the world.
“I’m deeply honored to receive the Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film on behalf of myself and Tasveer,” said Rita Meher. “Thank you for recognizing 23 years of dedication to uplifting South Asian voices and creating a global platform for our stories—right here in the vibrant city of Seattle. As a producer, I remain committed to championing bold, boundary-breaking films that reflect the richness, resilience, and imagination of our communities. My vision is to establish Seattle as a global hub for cinema, shifting the spotlight from Vancouver and LA to our own backyard.”
Now, Meher is leading efforts to transform the Ark Lodge Cinemas in Columbia City into the Tasveer Film Arts Center. This new space will be the permanent home for the festival and market, strengthening Seattle’s role as a center for film. The Film Arts Center will also serve as a community gathering place, showcasing independent and international films from around the world.
Prior to serving as executive director of Tasveer, Meher was a video producer and editor. She made her career debut on TV in Japan in 1995. She edited the award-winning Bangladeshi documentary Threads, and made her first short film, Citizenship101, based on her own immigrant experiences.
What People are Saying
Beth Barrett, SIFF Artistic Director “Congratulations to Rita and the whole Tasveer team. SIFF has been proud to work with Tasveer for more than 20 years, and with the purchase of the Ark Lodge Cinemas and growth of the Tasveer Film Market, look forward to partnering with you for the next 20!”
Amy Lillard, Washington Filmworks Executive Director “Rita Meher and her team at the Tasveer Film Festival and Market are a force to be reckoned with! Not only is their film market reshaping finance and distribution models for filmmakers from underrepresented communities, but the work of Tasveer is building the City of Seattle’s reputation as a global film hub where real business takes place.”
The Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film is awarded to an individual or entity which has raised the profile of the City of Seattle and its film industry and community through an outstanding film-related achievement, or major contribution to the growth, advancement, and reputation of Seattle as a filmmaking city.
The Seattle Film Commission, established in 2023, advises and makes recommendations to the City of Seattle on the development of policies and programs to enhance the economic development of Seattle’s film industry. The goal is to support City of Seattle creative economy priorities by providing equitable growth opportunities for local film industry businesses and workers, connect talent to quality jobs, advance racial equity within the industry, and make Seattle a premier location for film production.
###