Disha Shah: Shaping Cinematic Storytelling Through Design

Disha Shah has emerged as one of the most compelling production designers and editorial creatives in the modern film landscape, distinguishing herself through a relentless pursuit of artistic excellence and her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in international cinema. When interviewed about her trajectory, Shah reflects on her belief that production design is more than simply creating an environment—it is about shaping space to tell stories that would otherwise remain unheard, and doing so with sensitivity, innovation, and a fierce dedication to meaning.

Her impact is most powerfully felt in her work for the film “Best Eyes,” which garnered attention across some of the industry's most influential festivals. The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), an Oscar-qualifying event that champions Latino and Latinx storytelling, featured Shah’s work—an achievement that not only confirms her technical mastery, but also signals her vital role in advancing diversity and cultural expression in filmmaking.

Beyond LALIFF, Shah’s production designs have been showcased at KULTURA CON in Mexico City—a multidisciplinary culture festival that touches on themes of hybridization, collective care, and marginalized perspectives—and at the Georgia Latino International Film Festival (GALIFF), a beacon for Afro-Latino narratives in the southeastern United States. Her involvement with the Micheaux Film Festival, AFI FEST, and the Urbanworld Film Festival highlights her sustained influence in forums that are crucial for independent filmmakers, particularly those of color and from global south backgrounds. These platforms not only celebrate her creative vision, but also amplify voices across intersecting communities, making her contribution deeply significant in the push for authentic storytelling.

Shah's editorial ethos is clear in her approach: she sees the award-winning recognition of her work not as mere accolades, but as evidence of a shifting industry—one that is beginning to value intersectionality, digital innovation, and new media forms. Her role as production designer for “Gratuity,” honored at the HollyShorts Film Festival, provided a rare pathway toward Oscar eligibility—a mark of credibility that helped her work reach global audiences and marked her as a vital contributor to the evolution of short-form film. The HollyShorts global expansion further cements Shah’s presence on the international stage, providing a launchpad for talent and diversifying traditional channels of film distribution.​

In the digital domain, Shah’s boundary-pushing work in vertical-format shorts signals a brave, future-facing pivot for the industry. Her film “Taming My Bullies” amassed an astonishing 100 million views in under three weeks on the ReelShort app, while “My Husband's Nephew Is My Pleasure” claimed top honors at the Vertical Shorts Festival, demonstrating her fluency with mobile-first storytelling. She credits these platforms with empowering filmmakers to connect with contemporary, mobile-native audiences, and sees the recognition her work receives—such as genre, screenwriting, and technical awards—as validating new methods of narrative and design for emergent viewing habits.

Her accomplishments as art director on vertical dramas such as “Secrets of Sin” and “Daddy Mommy Don’t Divorce” reveal a creator at the vanguard of streaming content, able to design immersive visual environments that capture millions of views on major apps. Shah’s deliberate adaptation of storytelling for two-minute, vertical episodes not only meets the demands of modern audiences, but also positions her as a pioneer shaping the next wave of media consumption.

Perhaps most prestigious is Ms. Shah’s role with the Deutsche Bank Frieze Los Angeles Film Award—a global incubator for innovation in cinematic design. Her production design on a project themed "Togetherness" was selected from international applicants and screened at Frieze LA in 2025, a testament to her capacity to produce work that resonates within the collaborative, interdisciplinary art world. Backed by substantial support and mentorship from Frieze, Shah’s artistry bridges visual arts and storytelling, earning international acclaim for her immersive environments and experimental approach.

In genre cinema, her work as art director on “Good Mother,” recognized by Screamfest—America’s largest and most prestigious horror festival—underscores her versatility and skill in conjuring atmospheric, emotionally charged worlds. With festivals like Screamfest credited with the launch of iconic horror franchises, Shah’s inclusion affirms her influence and stature within the competitive landscape of genre filmmaking.

When asked to reflect on the significance of her achievements, Disha insists that each project is an opportunity to build community, disrupt entrenched narratives, and foster inclusion across platforms old and new. Her editorial voice is not only seen in awards and festival selections, but in the visible change she catalyzes within production design and cinematic storytelling. Disha Shah stands as an exemplar of creative resilience and a transformative force, repeatedly proving that the intersection of art, culture, and social impact is where the future of film will be realized.