top of page
341309066_989026409145535_1515028998654657748_n.jpg

Aarav Poonia

Filmmaker

About

Aarav Poonia is an emerging Indian filmmaker whose work spans writing, directing, acting and editing. With a foundation in cinematic storytelling and a deep love for performance, Aarav brings a holistic creative vision to his projects-often wearing multiple hats on set. Since childhood, Aarav dreamed of becoming an actor. But it was during the COVID-19 lockdown that his true artistic journey began. Confined indoors, he immersed himself in global cinema and studied the work of legendary filmmakers and actors. This period sparked a newfound passion not only for acting, but also for direction, writing, and every aspect of the filmmaking process-from editing to sound design to cinematography. Influenced by multi-hyphenate icons like Sylvester Stallone, Bradley Cooper, and Clint Eastwood, Aarav set out to write, direct, act in, and edit his own films-embracing a path of complete creative ownership. His education in filmmaking at MIT ADT University further shaped his approach. "I learned more about what not to do than what to do," Aarav reflects about his film school experience-a lesson that sharpened his instincts and clarified his personal voice as a filmmaker. Aarav's work reflects a love for grounded, character-driven cinema with stylized emotional undertones. He gravitates toward stories rooted in moral conflict and human vulnerability, often expressed through sparse dialogue, deliberate pacing, and strong visual design. Aarav continues to develop original scripts and short films with the same DIY spirit and relentless passion that launched his journey. His approach is deeply personal, blending cinematic inspiration with hard-earned practical experience-making him one of the exciting young voices to watch in the evolving landscape of Indian independent cinema.

IMG-20250504-WA0110.jpg

Short Films & Documentaries

No Mans Land Poster 2.jpg
final poster 2_edited_edited_edited.jpg
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.01.18_ff9d5de2.jpg
Selected In Over Nine International Film Festivals
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Kuala Lumpur International Film Awards - 2025 (1)_edited.jpg
OFFICIAL SELECTION - First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 2 - 2023.png
OFFICIAL SELECTION - First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 4 - 2023.png
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker Volume 3 - 2023.png
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Tiny Mountains environment sustainability reuseupcycle festival - 202
Quarter Finalist - SERIES WEB AWARDS - 2023.png
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Hungry Minds Film Festival - 2024 (2).png
OFFICIAL SELECTION - ONED ArtExperimental Film Festival - 2024.png
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Student World Impact Film Festival - 2023.png

Behind The Scenes

bottom of page