Q&A with NYFA Filmmaking Alum Ruchir Kulkarni

Ruchir Kulkarni is an Indian writer, director, and editor. Since graduating from his MFA in Filmmaking, his thesis film Changing Room has traveled the international festival circuit, earning multiple awards and screenings at prominent festivals across the U.S., Canada, and India, while his other short films continue to reach global audiences through digital platforms.

Learn more about Ruchir's journey in the Q&A below:

NYFA Alumni Network: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you're from, and what brought you to New York Film Academy?

Ruchir Kulkarni (R.K.): My name is Ruchir Kulkarni, and I am a writer, director, and editor from India. Before joining the New York Film Academy, I was actively working in the Indian film industry as an assistant director and editor. During this time, I gained hands-on experience across a wide range of commercial projects, including advertising films and digital content, while also writing and directing a few independent short films.

After gaining practical industry experience, I felt the need to formally study filmmaking to better understand storytelling, structure, and cinematic language at a deeper level. I wanted to refine my instincts and push my creative boundaries. I applied to NYFA with my portfolio, and I was fortunate to receive a partial scholarship, which ultimately brought me to Hollywood to pursue my MFA in Filmmaking and immerse myself in an international creative environment. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What projects have you worked on since graduating? Have you won any awards or been showcased in any festivals or competitions?

R.K.: Since graduating, I have worked as an editor on a couple of feature-length documentaries. Alongside this, I’ve had the opportunity to travel extensively with my MFA thesis film, Changing Room, which is currently on the international festival circuit.

The film has screened at several notable festivals, including Dances With Films: Los Angeles, iSAFF Canada, the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, BEYOND Festival, and the Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival. In addition to its screenings, Changing Room has received multiple awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Editor, and was also a finalist at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival, India’s only Oscar-qualifying short film festival. These screenings and recognitions have allowed me not only to present my work to diverse audiences across the U.S. and internationally, but also to engage in meaningful conversations with filmmaking communities in different cities. 

Beyond festivals, two of my short films are currently streaming on Kinema, allowing the work to reach a wider international audience and continue its life beyond the traditional festival circuit. This balance between festival exhibition and digital platforms has helped me engage with audiences across different formats and geographies.

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us more about Changing Room?

R.K.: Changing Room is a short film that follows a 12-year-old boy who is forced to confront his insecurities around body image and self-worth during a last-minute shopping trip to a clothing store with his mother. The confined space of the changing room becomes a catalyst for deeper emotional reckoning.

This is the most personal film I’ve ever made. I traveled back to my hometown, Pune, India, to shoot the film in Marathi, my mother tongue, to preserve cultural authenticity and emotional honesty. Through this film, I aim to shed light on the unrealistic body image standards we normalize as a society, and how bullying, microaggressions, and so-called “harmless teasing” can have a lasting psychological impact on children. These early experiences can quietly plant the seeds for long-term self-doubt and struggles with self-esteem.

NYFA Alumni Network: What did you learn at NYFA that you applied directly to this project and others?

R.K.: NYFA played a crucial role in shaping my approach to storytelling and filmmaking. One of the most important lessons I learned was the value of thematic clarity; understanding that every creative decision in a film should serve the story’s central idea. Rather than focusing solely on making a film look cinematic, how simplicity, restraint, and honesty can often make a story far more powerful. NYFA also emphasized the importance of rigorous pre-production. Elements such as shot divisions, scene breakdowns, lighting diagrams, and mood boards are not just academic exercises; they are essential tools that help filmmakers stay grounded, adaptable, and efficient when faced with unexpected challenges during production.

NYFA Alumni Network: Are you currently working on any future projects?

R.K: Yes, I am currently developing and working on multiple projects. I am editing two feature-length documentaries currently in production in India. In parallel, I am developing a television series and actively working on writing the pilot script. I also have a short film script ready for production and am currently exploring funding and collaboration opportunities to bring it to life.

NYFA Alumni Network congradulates Ruchir on all his success!