surbhi dewan
independent filmmaker
co-founder & producer at Painted Tree Pictures
Surbhi is an independent film director, writer & producer. Her films explore intersections between socio-political conflict, displacement, memory and identity. She is deeply committed to uncovering unique perspectives and humanizing ‘the other’ through her films.
Surbhi has produced award-winning social and commercial audio-visual content with her New Delhi-based production company, Painted Tree Pictures. She is an organizer and member at Video Consortium, Delhi Chapter. She is also a member of Bitchitra Collective and the International Association of Women in Radio & Television, India chapter. Surbhi graduated with an MFA in film from Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, and received her BA degree in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University.
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Get in touch at surbhi@paintedtreepictures.com
filmography
Trans Kashmir [62 mins, Doc, Kashmir (India), 2022]
Director & Producer: Surbhi Dewan
Watch now on:
VimeoOnDemand (pay per view)
Cinelogue (subscription)
Kanopy (for educational institutions & libraries)
Amazon Prime Video (UK & Ireland only)
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An Open Sky [15 mins, Fiction, India, 2020]
Director, Producer, Editor: Surbhi Dewan
Watch now on:
ShortsTV
Green Chillies DTH
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Daughter of Nepal [34 mins, Doc, US/Nepal/India, 2018]
Director & Producer: Surbhi Dewan
Watch now on: YouTube
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PuppyLove [5 mins, Doc, India, 2018]
Director & Producer: Surbhi Dewan
Watch now on: YouTube
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A Thin Wall [65 mins, Doc, US/Pakistan/India, 2015]
Co-producer: Surbhi Dewan
Watch now on: VimeoOnDemand (pay per view)
awards
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Freedom Filmmaker Award at SLFF, Kathmandu 2023
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Best Documentary Film, UK Asian Film Festival 2023
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Best Documentary Film, Pune International Queer Film Festival 2023
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Best Documentary Film, SiGNS Film Festival 2023
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Award of Merit, Canada Shorts 2020
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Jury Mention, Cineaste International Film Festival, 2021
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Europe Asia Silver Award, Europe Asia Festival of Cinema 2021
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Best Script & Special Jury Mention, Siliguri Short & Documentary Film Festival 2021
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Best Short Film (International) & Outstanding Performance to lead actor Samridhi Dewan, Colombo International Women's Film Festival 2021
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Best Documentary & Best Director Award, Smita Patil International Film Festival 2018
recent highlights
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Doc feature in-development Selected for Co-Production Market, Doc Film Bazaar at Mumbai International Film Festival (2024)
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Fellow at Ethno Kino, Bern, Switzerland (2024)
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Mentor at Small Town Big Stories, film workshop at SRFTI, supported by Global Media Makers (Dec 2023)