May 2023 at the Cannes Film Festival in France
Rishi Raj is an award-winning filmmaker based in Seattle, Washington. His passion for storytelling began in his teenage years in Atlanta, Georgia where he started making short films and videos with friends and family.
While pursuing a computer science degree at Georgia Tech, Rishi honed his filmmaking voice by participating in college filmmaking competitions. He won the top prize at Georgia Tech's Campus Movie Fest all four years. His work earned him three invitations to the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival in France, which he finally attended in his senior year.
After graduation, Rishi relocated to the Seattle area to work as a software engineer at Microsoft. Despite a demanding career in tech, his creative drive never waned. He found his way into the local film scene through the 48 Hour Film Project, where his team, Transatlantic Films, won the Best in City twice and received dozens of accolades, including Best Director and Best Writing twice.
In late 2023, Rishi made the leap—leaving Microsoft to pursue filmmaking full-time.
His work has screened at festivals around the world, including HollyShorts in Los Angeles, as well as throughout the Pacific Northwest and Atlanta. His films span a wide range of genres and styles, but he gravitates toward dramedies that blend sharp wit with emotional depth, often exploring timeless themes of family, identity, and connection.
Rishi pairs a meticulous, technically precise approach with a storytelling style that’s driven by emotion. He seeks to craft narratives that are universal in resonance yet deeply personal in feeling—taking audiences on a journey that lingers long after the credits roll.
Use the contact page if you're interested in working with him.
Experience:
Director
Screenwriter
Editor (DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro)
Post-Production Sound (Re-recording and mixing)
Director of Photography
Assistant Director
Producer
Personal Cameras: Sony FX6, Sony FX3
Awards & Laurels:
HollyShorts Official Selection 2023 & 2024
West Sound Film Festival Best Comedy 2023 & 2024
Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner 2019 & 2023
Filmapalooza Official Selection 2021, 2023, & 2024
Lake Stevens Film Festival Audience Choice 2024
Tacoma Film Festival Official Selection 2024
Bainbridge Island Film Festival Official Selection 2024
Seattle Film Summit Official Selection 2023 & 2024
Seattle 48 Hour Film Project Best in City 2020 & 2023
Seattle 48 Hour Horror Film Project Best in City Runner Up 2021
Seattle 48 Hour Film Project Best Direction x2, Best Writing x2, Best Cinematography x2, Best Editing, Best Sound Design, Audience Favorite x3
All the Laughs Comedy Fest Best Domestic Sketch 2024
Festive Film Festival Official Selection 2025
Panic Fest Official Selection 2022
Georgia Tech Campus Movie Fest Jury Award 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018