Ms. Patil continues to bring a fresh perspective to global cinema, merging research-driven design with creative vision to craft spaces that truly elevate story.
Shantishree Patil
Ms. Shantishree Patil has quickly emerged as one of India’s most celebrated production designers working internationally. Her work is known for its emotional depth, cultural authenticity, and bold visual storytelling.
She was the Production Designer for Machine Engineer Love, which premiered at the LA Shorts International Film Festival and won Best Romantic Short at the Independent Shorts Awards. Her haunting and intimate design work in Peeling Off contributed to its selection at the Chicago Horror and Garden State Film Festival. The film has also won Best Production Design at a few festivals and is set to premiere at the upcoming LA Shorts International Film Festival.
As Art Director for You Can Never Go Home, she helped shape a powerful visual language that earned the film Best LGBTQ Short at the Independent Shorts Awards and selections at Indie Short Fest, Oxford Film Festival, and the Asian Film Festival, Los Angeles.
In La Cumbia (Soma), her construction coordination helped bring a vibrant, Mexico-set story to life on stage, leading to its official selection at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), a key platform for Latinx cinema.
Ms. Patil continues to bring a fresh perspective to global cinema, merging research-driven design with creative vision to craft spaces that truly elevate storytelling.
Interview
Q: Your film “Machine Engineer Love” premiered at the LA Shorts International Film Festival and won Best Romantic Short at the Independent Shorts Awards-how did these milestones shape your approach to production design?
“Machine Engineer Love” was a turning point for me. Designing a story that mixed sci-fi with romance pushed me; I had to balance cold, machine-like environments and the warmth of human emotion. Every detail, from the textures to the lighting, was carefully chosen to reflect that tension. When the film premiered at LA Shorts and won Best Romantic Short at the Independent Short Awards, it felt like all those subtle design choices were truly seen and appreciated.
Reaching those milestones has been deeply encouraging. It reminded me why I started. To tell these layered stories through a space. The recognition gave me the confidence to trust my instincts more, to take creative risks, and to keep evolving. It showed me that good design isn’t just for the visual or the aesthetics; it’s emotional and has the power to connect with audiences, both in India and worldwide.”
Q: “Peeling Off” was selected for both the Chicago Horror Film Festival and the Garden State Film Festival. When working on genre films like horror, how do you find the balance between creative vision and the expectations of genre fans?
"Peeling Off" was selected for the Chicago Horror Film Festival and the Garden State Film Festival, which was a massive moment for me. When it comes to working in horror, I've realized it's all about honoring the genre's core-suspense, atmosphere, and tension, while still making space for my voice as a designer. I try to respect what horror fans love but also find ways to subvert expectations through subtle, unexpected details in the set and mood. For me, it's not just about creating fear; it's about creating feelings through design styles, materials, and textures. If the space can carry some of the character's emotions, it becomes more than just a set; it becomes part of the story's tension."
Q: As Art Director for “You Can Never Go Home,” you helped the film win Best LGBTQ Short at the Independent Shorts Awards and saw it selected at Indie Short Fest, Oxford Film Festival, and Asian Film Festival, Los Angeles. How do you approach projects that deal with important social themes?
Working on "You Can Never Go Home" was incredibly significant. When a film explores themes as personal and layered as identity and belonging, I feel a deep responsibility as a visual storyteller. As the Art Director, collaborating closely with the Production Designer, we focused on authenticity, ensuring every design choice was honest to the characters and their world. Together, we worked to create spaces that didn't just look right but felt lived-in and authentic. It was important that the design quietly amplified the story's message without overpowering it, supporting the emotional truth at the film's heart.
Q: Your construction coordination for “La Cumbia(Soma)” contributed to its selection at multiple festivals. How do you ensure your sets not only look great but also function smoothly during production?
It’s about meticulous planning, thoughtful collaboration, and ensuring that every element of the set supports the story and the production process. We recreated a vibrant world set in Mexico for La Cumbia (Soma), which was proudly screened at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) and other celebrated festivals. While the story is deeply rooted in that specific cultural setting, building the set onstage was the most practical solution for us.
This process was enjoyable and creatively fulfilling. The production designer researched regional textures, local colors, and architectural styles to capture the authenticity of the environment. My role was to ensure we could execute that vision as accurately and effectively as possible. From construction logistics to material sourcing, we focused on translating the design into a fully realized, functional set that felt real on screen and worked seamlessly for the crew behind the scenes. When artistic detail and practical coordination come together, the result is a set that looks beautiful and truly elevates the storytelling.
Q: With such a diverse range of achievements, what advice would you give to aspiring production designers who hope to make an impact on the global stage?
I advise aspiring production designers to stay endlessly curious and open to learning every project, regardless of scale, as an opportunity to grow. Take bold, creative risks because that’s often where the most powerful and memorable work emerges. At the same time, stay grounded in your vision and values while embracing the power of collaboration. Production design is never done in isolation; it thrives on communication, trust, and collective problem-solving.
This is a passionate, creative, and deeply subjective field. Everyone, from directors to viewers, will bring their perspectives; we must respect that as artists. Being open to interpretation while staying confident in your voice is a delicate but vital balance. Most importantly, know that determination, patience, and hard work are the keys to success and happiness in this journey. Keep showing up for your craft. That’s where the impact is made.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future, and how do you plan to keep pushing the boundaries of production design?
My goal is to keep expanding the boundaries of visual storytelling by exploring new genres, formats, and cultural narratives. I aim to collaborate with bold, imaginative filmmakers worldwide, eager to challenge convention and push creative limits. In the creative journey, beauty thrives in the process and fearless innovation. Art embraces vulnerability, where characters navigate emotional breezes, and stories find their soul.
As a production designer, I extract the screenwriter’s imagination and translate it into a dynamic, emotionally resonant space. I strive to design environments that don’t just serve the narrative but elevate it, justifying every moment of the tale and allowing it to reach its full crescendo. Through this, I hope to bring fresh, meaningful perspectives to global cinema and inspire others to approach design with courage, intention, and authenticity.
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