Vaishnavi Pramodh
Vaishnavi Pramodh is an Indian-born, UAE-raised filmmaker and production designer who is shaping a new voice in independent cinema from the Gulf region. Based in Dubai, she is part of a rising generation of women filmmakers who are challenging traditional narratives and creating space for culturally grounded, emotionally complex storytelling. Her directorial portfolio includes two notable short films. A Wigmaker’s Tale (2023) is a poetic coming-of-age story exploring grief, familial bonds, and the search for self through the lens of craft. Her latest work, Milk Tooth (2024), follows an 11-year-old boy named Rahim whose playful prank on a friend leads to guilt and a profound inner shift. Both films reflect Vaishnavi’s distinct style, blending visual art and lyrical structure to examine personal transformation and emotional depth. Influenced by her background in poetry and visual arts, her filmmaking explores themes of identity, memory, and cultural duality. She often works with surrealist or non-linear narratives, constructing cinematic worlds that are both intimate and visually expressive. As an emerging voice in regional cinema, Vaishnavi is not only directing films but also contributing to a broader movement in women-led storytelling from the Middle East and South Asia. Her work speaks to a generation negotiating belonging, tradition, and inner complexity, offering a perspective that is both deeply personal and globally resonant.