Writer & Director
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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 selected for the prestigious BBC Films, BFI and Creative UK iFeatures programme, regarded as the UK’s leading development lab for debut feature filmmakers. His series CUTH – Just A Little Bit Brown was one of 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.
His 16mm short film SURPRI-! premiered at the BFI London Film Festival 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 the Straight 8 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, Cork International Film Festival, Aesthetica, British Shorts Berlin, 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 production companies. He was assistant to Writer-Director Paul King (PADDINGTON 2) on a Disney feature film through Film London’s Equal Access Network. He has directed commercial content for clients including Netflix, Nike, Adidas, ELEMIS, VISA, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Deutsche Bank and ASOS.
He has been mentored by visionary filmmakers including Sally Potter (through Four Corners) and Camera d’Or winner Anthony Chen (through iFeatures & Directors UK Inspire). He 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.
He studied French and English Literature and spent time living and writing in Paris. He is now based in the U.K where he is developing a slate of feature film and TV projects.
His debut feature film AMRIT is currently casting with Shaheen Baig (ADOLESCENCE), with support from the BFI. The project was selected for the prestigious BBC Films, BFI and Creative UK iFeatures programme, regarded as the UK’s leading development lab for debut feature filmmakers. His series CUTH – Just A Little Bit Brown was one of 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.
His 16mm short film SURPRI-! premiered at the BFI London Film Festival 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 the Straight 8 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, Cork International Film Festival, Aesthetica, British Shorts Berlin, 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 production companies. He was assistant to Writer-Director Paul King (PADDINGTON 2) on a Disney feature film through Film London’s Equal Access Network. He has directed commercial content for clients including Netflix, Nike, Adidas, ELEMIS, VISA, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Deutsche Bank and ASOS.
He has been mentored by visionary filmmakers including Sally Potter (through Four Corners) and Camera d’Or winner Anthony Chen (through iFeatures & Directors UK Inspire). He 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.
He studied French and English Literature and spent time living and writing in Paris. He is now based in the U.K where he is developing a slate of feature film and TV projects.