Mathur’s portfolio also includes the acclaimed short film Red Pocket, which was a top 10 finalist for the Deutsche Bank Frieze Los Angeles Film Award.
ARUSHI MATHUR
Indian-origin production designer Arushi Mathur has marked a significant milestone with her latest short film, UNALIVED, securing official selections at several prestigious festivals worldwide. The film has been chosen for the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival in Silicon Valley, alongside screenings at HorrorHound Weekend, Chicago Horror Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, and the PANO Shorts Showcase at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
These festivals are known for their competitive selection processes, with Cinequest alone attracting over 300,000 participants from more than 55 countries. Mathur’s meticulous attention to detail and her ability to craft immersive, emotionally resonant environments have been repeatedly singled out by critics and juries, who praised her for elevating the film’s narrative and emotional impact.
The high-profile selections highlight Mathur's distinctive visual storytelling and her ability to create richly immersive cinematic worlds. The recognition at such diverse, esteemed festivals underscores both the film's artistic excellence and Mathur's rapidly growing influence as an innovative production designer shaping the future contemporary cinema.
Mathur’s talents extend well beyond short films. She has played a pivotal role in the success of several miniseries, including Daddy Mommy Don’t Divorce on DramaBox, which achieved an impressive IMDb rating of 8.4 and garnered 2.6 million views across TikTok and DramaBox. Her innovative visual storytelling brought the series’ emotional themes to life, helping DramaBox—now with over 90 million users worldwide—cement its reputation as a leader in short-form drama. Mathur’s work on Secrets of Sin and Broken for Galatea TV has also been widely recognized. Both series achieved strong viewership and engagement, with Secrets of Sin drawing over 1.5 million views on TikTok and Broken amassing over half a million views. In each case, Mathur’s designs were instrumental in creating authentic, visually compelling worlds that resonated with audiences across the globe.
Mathur’s portfolio also includes the acclaimed short film Red Pocket, which was a top 10 finalist for the Deutsche Bank Frieze Los Angeles Film Award, judged by leading figures in art and entertainment and held at the iconic Paramount Theatre.
Her work as a production designer for the music video Lie to Me was central to its striking aesthetic and strong performance across platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and major streaming services.
Her expertise is not confined to narrative projects. Mathur has worked as a Set Decorator for the Matua Wines commercial campaign, bringing New Zealand’s heritage to life and helping the campaign achieve thousands of views across multiple platforms, reinforcing the brand’s global identity.
Another standout achievement is her work as a Set Decorator on the film Mis-Alignment, which received selections at a host of influential festivals, including the Palm Springs International ShortFest (where it was nominated for Best Midnight Short), LA Shorts International Film Festival, Regina International Film Festival & Awards, South Georgia Film Festival, Juggernaut Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Festival, Jacksonville Film Festival, Meme Pas Peur International Fantastic Film Festival, Boston Science Fiction Film Festival, Las Cruces International Film Festival, and AFI FEST. The film’s distribution on MUBI, available in over 190 countries, further extended her global reach.
Mathur’s recent project, Queen of Samba, was selected for the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, Miami Film Festival, and Bogotá Short Film Festival, all of which are recognized as major international platforms for cinematic talent.
Her journey is a testament to the power of Indian talent in shaping global cinema. Through every project, Arushi Mathur doesn’t just design sets—she crafts worlds that linger in the minds and hearts of audiences long after the credits roll.
As she looks ahead to new challenges and stories, Mathur’s passion and dedication continue to inspire. Her story is not just one of personal achievement, but a shining example of how Indian artists are redefining the language of visual storytelling on the world stage.
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