Deepak Rauniyar

Originally from Nepal, Deepak Rauniyar is an award-winning writer, director, and producer, and an associate professor of practice at Boston University. Rauniyar’s films have been screened at top international film festivals including Venice, Berlinale, Toronto, Locarno, Rotterdam, Busan, Hong Kong, and Taipei Golden Horse, as well as venues like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Lincoln Center. A former film critic, he became the first Nepali filmmaker to compete at a major global film festival with his debut feature, Highway, which premiered at the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival and was also screened at Locarno.

His second feature, White Sun, was Nepal’s official entry for the Oscars and won the Interfilm Award at Venice and the New Voices/New Visions Award at Palm Springs. In 2022, his short film Four Nights was nominated for the Berlinale Golden Bear Award. His latest film, Pooja, Sir, premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival in the Orizzonti competition and was nominated for the Queer Lion Award.

Named one of the “9 New Directors to Watch” by The New York Times, Rauniyar’s films are acclaimed for their exploration of social and political themes, with critics praising his work as “rich and complex,” balancing personal stories with broader political narratives. Before joining Boston University, Rauniyar taught at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Hunter College, and the City College of New York. He has received grants from the Jerome Foundation, SFFILM, and Tribeca Film Institute, and morel, and has served on juries at the Locarno and Sydney Film Festivals, as well as the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

Personal Statement: In my work and teaching, I am guided by Bresson’s principle: “Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.” I believe that as filmmakers, we must deeply understand our relationship with our characters and the themes in their stories. This understanding of the “why” behind telling a story is crucial to shaping the “how” of making a film—whether it’s defining the aesthetic and technical approach, assembling the team, or securing funding.