DCSAACI

Welcome to DC South Asian Arts Council Inc !

It’s About Celebrating South Asian Culture Together

The DC South Asian Arts Council Inc. (DCSAACI) is a Not for Profit (501) ©(3) non-profit organization that provides opportunities to South Asian artists to showcase talent via films, dance, books and art.

Our passion for creativity and giving back to the community inspired us to start the non-profit organization in 2017. We bring together a diverse mix of artists with South Asian heritage and promote, build awareness and provide year round South Asian cultural programming.

DCSAFF

DCSAMF

DCSALF

Our passion for creativity and giving back to the community inspired to bring together a diverse mix of artists with South Asian heritage

WATCH PROMO VIDEO

Book & Poetry Club

Where diverse cultures meet through the power of words.

Music Club

Where every note reflects a culture and every voice matters.

Film Club

Experience the art of film through a culturally rich club community.

Total Visitors

Total Views

Films Screened

Books Discussed

Events

Artists Served

GALLERY

Author Nadia Hashimi

“Just wanted to send a note of thanks for the chance to be included in this year’s festival among such a stellar line up of authors. I appreciate that you all have been so committed to bringing the arts to life. Please do share my thanks to all involved.

Nathalia Syam-Director

DCSAFF was an incredible film festival to be a part of this year. I came with our film, Footprints On Water, and was honoured to join the screening and Q&A in front of a packed and curious audience. The organisers were brilliant and the festival was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I hope to attend again in the future and highly recommend this festival for filmmakers and film lovers

Aarti Bagdi-Director

The 12th DCSAFF in 2023 was filled with incredibly warm interactions, great films, and the hospitality was all nothing short of a large family affair that made every moment feel like home. A heartfelt thanks to the festival director Mr. Manoj Singh and the entire team at DCSAFF for this simply memorable experience as our film Chalti Rahe Zindagi not only experiences a housefull filled with laughs, gasps, tears and applauses but also gets the Special Mention Jury Award. So gratifying, as we got the bread buttered from both sides!

Manjari Fadnnis-Actor

I had an extremely enriching experience at the DCSAFF. Loved the selection of the films. & most importantly… What a wonderful intimate vibe the festival had. Really a beautiful experience interacting with the amazing filmmakers who had brought their brilliant films.

Nimra Bucha-Actor

The DCSAFF festival combines a love of film with enough heart to embrace the world. What a pleasure it was to meet filmmakers from all over South Asia where the new wave of films is breaking ground and telling stories we’ve been wanting to see. It was a great space to connect, reflect and dream. Three days in film heaven. Would love to go back.

Deepa Mehta-Director

I am so grateful to DCSAFF for inviting me. I had a great time meeting with the South Asian community of Washington DC and being a part of such a stimulating panel discussion. DCSAFF is doing some incredible work by highlighting important issues to the public through Cinema and I am glad I could be there for it. Thank

Candy Clark - Academy Nominated Actress (American Graffiti).

I had a ball at the DC South Asian Film Festival. Great films, delicious food and the chance to meet some of the best people on the planet. Thanks so much for inviting me..Hope to be back one day..Continued

Prakash Jha - Director.

It was indeed a unique experience at DCSAFF. The enthusiasm of all the volunteers is admirable. The screenings and master classes were well conducted and I enjoyed every moment of it. Thank you for the opportunity and my best

Arundhathi Subramaniam

There is a warmth, informality and generosity of spirit that pervades the DC South Asian Literary Festival. Above all, there’s the sense of it being initiated and sustained by true art lovers. That makes the entire project a labour of love, not a token cultural gesture. This is a festival to which I look forward to returning.

Falu Shah

“It was a pleasure playing at DCSAMF – they had a wonderful audience who were music lovers and it meant a lot to me performing for every single person who loved music in the audience! I am so grateful to them for having me in this first year of their opening. I wish them all my best for the coming years!”

Amjad Ali Khan

“Life is an enthralling symphony of Truth, Love, Non-Violence and Peace. Like cosmic divinity, music knows few or no barriers or boundaries. The DC South Asian Arts Council Inc is truly providing opportunities to South Asian artists to showcase talent via films, dance, books and art. They bring together a diverse mix of artists with South Asian heritage and promote, build awareness and provide year round South Asian cultural programming. I was so honored to have inaugurated their music festival along with Amaan and Ayaan. I wish the Festival the very best to become a hallmark for South Asian culture in the years to come! Many congratulations!”

Sitar Maestro Shahid Parvez Khan

“We wanted to thank you for your incredible hospitality and kindness. Ustadji and Seema only had great things to say about you, your wife Geetaji and Udayji! The warm welcome, the food spread, and all other arrangements helped Ustadji give his absolute best for his performance! It is supporters of his talent, like yourself, who keep him going. We hope to work together with you again.”

Actor Zen Dot

“This was a lovely experience for me. The staff and festival committee are kind, responsive, and very hospitable. The Q & A panel after films was very well organized and each film representative got the time and questions they deserved. Definitely applying again!”