Rory Dhariwal Bentley is an award winning self taught writer-director from Leicester / Edinburgh, based in London.
His first feature project AMRIT is being developed by the BFI, BBC Films & Creative England as part of iFeatures 2019/20, the UK’s leading development lab for debut feature filmmakers. He was awarded a John Brabourne award for the project.
His DIY approach has led him to write/direct/produce several independent short films, the latest of which - BELONGING (2019) and VARKEN (2017) - premiered as part of the Official Selection at Academy & BAFTA qualifying festivals around the world - including Edinburgh International Film Festival, Cork Film Festival, British Shorts Berlin, Palm Springs & Aesthetica.
In 2016 he co-wrote/directed/produced and shot the 8mm short JAMELLA, starring Jamie Demetriou (STATHS LETS FLATS), which won first prize at the Straight 8 ‘One roll, no editing’ Industry Competition.
Alongside making his own films, Rory cut his teeth working in production both in house and freelance, on commercials and feature films. In 2018 he was assistant to Paul King (PADDINGTON) on a Disney feature, thanks to Film London’s Equal Access Network.
He has been mentored by Sally Potter (ORLANDO) as part of the Four Corners’ Zoom programme and is currently being mentored by Camera D’Or winner Anthony Chen (ILO ILO) as part of the Director’s UK Inspire Scheme.
In 2019 Rory was named as one of 25 Film London ‘Lodestars’, celebrating emerging talent in the capital, and he has been a member of the BFI NETWORK x BAFTA Crew for two years.
