Siddharth Chawla cinematographer
Siddharth Chawla, an Indian director of photography, has had a tremendous career marked by recognition in the U.S., Europe, and India's own top festivals.
Chawla's visuals in Remembering Tomorrow took the film all the way to a semi-finalist spot at the Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival, an event renowned for spotting top industry talent. The project also received honors at the California International Shorts Festival and won Best Sci-Fi at Simply Shorts, reflecting an ability to adapt to both narrative-driven and genre-based filmmaking. Selections in Los Angeles and Las Vegas continued to build visibility for his cinematography among a diverse group of festival juries.
His film Celeste appeared at varied festivals in Brooklyn, North Hollywood, Orange County, and Miami, testifying to the broad appeal of his approach to visual storytelling. Meanwhile, Blood Relations garnered wins in Berlin and Kolkata, in addition to being screened at the Chicago Horror Film Festival, a favorite among fans of niche genres.
With The Void, Chawla's camera work was noticed by festivals from New Zealand's Dunedin International to Michigan's East Lansing Film Festival, with further screenings in Jaipur, Beverly Hills, and top events like Poppy Jasper. Each selection demonstrates not just technical proficiency, but an ability to connect with audiences from different backgrounds and expectations.
His recent work on Postman saw the film included in India's major Jagran Film Festival, the Indie European Cinema & Screenplay Festival, and the Chicago South Asian Film Festival-proof that his reputation is growing at home and abroad. Recognition for Inheritance and Blue Top at respected, Oscar-qualifying festivals like Flickers' Rhode Island and LA Shorts rounds out a filmography marked by perseverance and craft.
A Quick Conversation with Siddharth Chawla
Q: What do you look for in a project before saying yes as a director of photography?
A: "For me, the script and director's vision matter most. If the story challenges the usual ways of seeing things and the director is open to visual experimentation, I'm interested. I want to create images that truly move people."
Q: Has international exposure changed your approach?
A: "It's pushed me to be more flexible-different festivals and audiences notice different details. I'm learning to balance universal appeal with specific, local flavors."
Q: Any advice for others trying to break through internationally?
A: "Keep working, stay patient, and don't be afraid to submit to take on different genres that showcase a variety of cultures"
Chawla's path shows that Indian talent behind the lens continues to find receptive audiences wherever independent cinema is valued.
