Rory D. Bentley
writer & director
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Rory D. Bentley
writer & director
→ feature film
→ short film
→ stills
→ press
→ about
→ say hello
→ consumption diary
Rory Dhariwal Bentley is an award-winning writer and director of British-Punjabi heritage, originally from Leicester and Edinburgh.
His debut feature film AMRIT is currently casting with Shaheen Baig (ADOLESCENCE), with support from the BFI. The project was originally selected for the prestigious BBC Films, BFI and Creative UK iFeatures programme, widely regarded as the UK’s leading development lab for first-time feature filmmakers. His television debut, CUTH – Just A Little Bit Brown, was one of only seven UK projects selected for The Independent Film Trust’s Creative Corridor initiative, supported by Sony Pictures. In 2023, he was selected for the BBC Writersroom: Scottish Voices.
Rory was named one of Film London’s inaugural Lodestars, spotlighting exceptional emerging talent. He is a BAFTA Connect member and a recipient of the highly competitive John Brabourne Award.
His 16mm short film SURPRI-! premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in 2022 and won Best Super Short at the British Short Film Awards. He co-wrote, shot and directed the 8mm short JAMELLA, starring Jamie Demetriou, which won first prize at Straight 8’s “one roll, no editing” industry competition. His broader body of short film work - shot on 8mm, 16mm and digital - has screened at BAFTA and Academy Award qualifying festivals worldwide, including Edinburgh International Film Festival, Palm Springs ShortFest, Cork International Film Festival and Flickerfest International Short Film Festival. He also served as Second Unit Director on Raine Allen-Miller’s acclaimed feature film RYE LANE (BBC, BFI, Searchlight).
In parallel with his independent work, Rory has built significant on-set experience at leading commercial and feature production companies. He served as assistant to Writer-Director Paul King (PADDINGTON 2) on a Disney feature through Film London’s Equal Access Network. He has directed branded content for global clients including Netflix, Nike, Adidas, VISA, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Deutsche Bank and ASOS.
Entirely self-taught as a filmmaker, Rory has developed a distinctive voice and visual language outside of traditional film school frameworks. He has been mentored by visionary filmmakers including Sally Potter (via Four Corners) and Camera d’Or winner Anthony Chen (through iFeatures and Directors UK Inspire).
He studied French and English Literature and spent time living and writing in Paris. He is now based in the U.K.
His debut feature film AMRIT is currently casting with Shaheen Baig (ADOLESCENCE), with support from the BFI. The project was originally selected for the prestigious BBC Films, BFI and Creative UK iFeatures programme, widely regarded as the UK’s leading development lab for first-time feature filmmakers. His television debut, CUTH – Just A Little Bit Brown, was one of only seven UK projects selected for The Independent Film Trust’s Creative Corridor initiative, supported by Sony Pictures. In 2023, he was selected for the BBC Writersroom: Scottish Voices.
Rory was named one of Film London’s inaugural Lodestars, spotlighting exceptional emerging talent. He is a BAFTA Connect member and a recipient of the highly competitive John Brabourne Award.
His 16mm short film SURPRI-! premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in 2022 and won Best Super Short at the British Short Film Awards. He co-wrote, shot and directed the 8mm short JAMELLA, starring Jamie Demetriou, which won first prize at Straight 8’s “one roll, no editing” industry competition. His broader body of short film work - shot on 8mm, 16mm and digital - has screened at BAFTA and Academy Award qualifying festivals worldwide, including Edinburgh International Film Festival, Palm Springs ShortFest, Cork International Film Festival and Flickerfest International Short Film Festival. He also served as Second Unit Director on Raine Allen-Miller’s acclaimed feature film RYE LANE (BBC, BFI, Searchlight).
In parallel with his independent work, Rory has built significant on-set experience at leading commercial and feature production companies. He served as assistant to Writer-Director Paul King (PADDINGTON 2) on a Disney feature through Film London’s Equal Access Network. He has directed branded content for global clients including Netflix, Nike, Adidas, VISA, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Deutsche Bank and ASOS.
Entirely self-taught as a filmmaker, Rory has developed a distinctive voice and visual language outside of traditional film school frameworks. He has been mentored by visionary filmmakers including Sally Potter (via Four Corners) and Camera d’Or winner Anthony Chen (through iFeatures and Directors UK Inspire).
He studied French and English Literature and spent time living and writing in Paris. He is now based in the U.K.