Rory Dhariwal Bentley is an award-winning writer / director of mixed British-Punjabi heritage from Leicester / Edinburgh.
His first feature AMRIT is in active late-stage development with the BFI after being selected for a coveted place on the BBC Films / BFI / Creative UK iFeatures initiative - the UK’s premier development lab for debut feature films.
Rory was named as one of the inaugural 25 FILM LONDON LODESTARS, celebrating emerging talent in the capital, and was a BFI NETWORK x BAFTA Crew for two years. He is also a recipient of the John Brabourne Award.
His 2022 16mm short film SURPRI-! is currently in the festival circuit. His previous 8mm, 16mm (and digital) independent shorts premiered at Academy / BAFTA qualifying film festivals around the world, including Edinburgh, Cork, Palm Springs, East End Film Festival, British Shorts Berlin & Aesthetica FF.
He co-wrote/shot/directed the 8mm short film JAMELLA, starring Jamie Demetriou (STATH LETS FLATS) - which won first prize at the Straight 8 ‘One roll, no editing’ Industry Competition.
Alongside making his own films, he cut his teeth working in-house and freelance for award winning production companies on commercials and features. Notably, he was assistant to Paul King (PADDINGTON 2) on a feature film for Disney, through 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 iFeatures / Director’s UK Inspire Scheme.
He studied French & English Literature and, after a stint writing and marinading in Paris, is now based in the UK.
Represented by Mark Brennan at United Agents for Film & TV | mbrennan@unitedagents.co.uk
His first feature AMRIT is in active late-stage development with the BFI after being selected for a coveted place on the BBC Films / BFI / Creative UK iFeatures initiative - the UK’s premier development lab for debut feature films.
Rory was named as one of the inaugural 25 FILM LONDON LODESTARS, celebrating emerging talent in the capital, and was a BFI NETWORK x BAFTA Crew for two years. He is also a recipient of the John Brabourne Award.
His 2022 16mm short film SURPRI-! is currently in the festival circuit. His previous 8mm, 16mm (and digital) independent shorts premiered at Academy / BAFTA qualifying film festivals around the world, including Edinburgh, Cork, Palm Springs, East End Film Festival, British Shorts Berlin & Aesthetica FF.
He co-wrote/shot/directed the 8mm short film JAMELLA, starring Jamie Demetriou (STATH LETS FLATS) - which won first prize at the Straight 8 ‘One roll, no editing’ Industry Competition.
Alongside making his own films, he cut his teeth working in-house and freelance for award winning production companies on commercials and features. Notably, he was assistant to Paul King (PADDINGTON 2) on a feature film for Disney, through 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 iFeatures / Director’s UK Inspire Scheme.
He studied French & English Literature and, after a stint writing and marinading in Paris, is now based in the UK.
Represented by Mark Brennan at United Agents for Film & TV | mbrennan@unitedagents.co.uk