Writer | Director | Author
NIRAJ
PANCHOLI
Niraj Pancholi is a multi-award winning writer & director of the movie Cosmic Light. He is currently based in Los Angeles.
Niraj Pancholi is an award-winning Writer and Director with a strong foundation in both filmmaking and technology. With a background in computer engineering, his work uniquely blends cinematic storytelling with innovation—often exploring how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, influence the future of film and the arts.
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His internationally recognized short film Cosmic Light has garnered multiple honors, including the Gold Remi at WorldFest-Houston, a Semi-Finalist award at the Columbus International Film and Animation Festival (USA), and a Special Jury Mention at the Rajasthan International Film Festival (India). The film has been officially selected by renowned festivals such as the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival, Long Island International Film Expo, Glendale International Film Festival, and Silicon Beach Film Festival, among others.
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The feature-length screenplay adaptation of Cosmic Light has also received critical acclaim, named a Finalist at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (a Canadian Screen Award and Telefilm Canada qualifying festival), a Semi-Finalist at the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (Academy Award, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Award qualifying), and a nominee at the Beverly Hills Film Festival.
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In 2025, Niraj served as a judge at both the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival and the Cambridge Film Festival, where he evaluated a wide range of narrative and visual works, including feature films, short films, music videos, and screenplays across genres.
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Beyond his work behind the camera, Niraj is actively involved in broader industry discussions at the intersection of entertainment and technology. He was recently quoted in TechRound as an expert on AI’s growing influence in the film industry and was featured in the Daily Express (UK) for his selection of the 10 best films of all time.
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Niraj is passionate about telling globally resonant stories and leveraging technology to shape the next generation of entertainment.
