I'm a writer, director, and development educator focused on storytelling craft across Asia, the United States, and Africa. My work centers on story structure, symbolism, and visual and emotional storytelling, supporting emerging filmmakers in building clear narratives and strong thematic foundations. I lecture and mentor across features and short-form projects, from screenwriting workshops to development roles, collaborating with partners like UN information centers and NGOs to bring rigorous craft to real-world campaigns.…

Mehaka Lui

I'm a writer, director, and development educator focused on storytelling craft across Asia, the United States, and Africa. My work centers on story structure, symbolism, and visual and emotional storytelling, supporting emerging filmmakers in building clear narratives and strong thematic foundations. I lecture and mentor across features and short-form projects, from screenwriting workshops to development roles, collaborating with partners like UN information centers and NGOs to bring rigorous craft to real-world campaigns.…

Available to hire

I’m a writer, director, and development educator focused on storytelling craft across Asia, the United States, and Africa. My work centers on story structure, symbolism, and visual and emotional storytelling, supporting emerging filmmakers in building clear narratives and strong thematic foundations.

I lecture and mentor across features and short-form projects, from screenwriting workshops to development roles, collaborating with partners like UN information centers and NGOs to bring rigorous craft to real-world campaigns.

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Language

English
Fluent
Nepali
Intermediate

Work Experience

Development Facilitator at Chalachitra Lab
October 1, 2025 - October 1, 2025
Led workshops focused on narrative structure, thematic clarity, and character progression. Provided 1:1 script consultations, giving detailed feedback on short film drafts.
Producer at Roe v. Wade (Short Film)
August 1, 2025 - August 1, 2025
Produced a short exploring reproductive rights in a post Roe landscape.
Production Assistant at The New Yorker at 100 (Netflix Documentary)
July 1, 2025 - July 1, 2025
Supported production and research across interviews and archival prep.
Production Assistant at Marshall Curry Productions
July 1, 2025 - August 15, 2025
Supported producers and directors on an editorial documentary about The New Yorker's legacy. Coordinated logistics, scheduling, and crew operations across multiple locations and conducted archival research to enhance storytelling.
Production Assistant at The New Yorker at 100 (Netflix Documentary)
November 1, 2024 - July 1, 2025
Supported production and research across interviews and archival preparation.
Film Instructor at Manhattan Youth
November 1, 2024 - November 1, 2024
Taught screenwriting and film making through camera exercises and hands-on practice. Introduced basic storytelling and early narrative structure.
Film Instructor at Manhattan Youth, New York
May 1, 2024 - November 1, 2024
Taught screenwriting and filmmaking through camera exercises and hands-on practice. Introduced basic storytelling principles and early narrative structure.
Development Intern at Louveture Films
May 1, 2024 - May 1, 2024
Wrote coverage and supported narrative and creative development.
Development Intern at L'ouverture Films
May 1, 2024 - August 15, 2025
Provided script coverage and research support for documentary and narrative projects. Assisted on shoots and conducted historical research for a Cold War themed film, contributing to the project's depth and accuracy.
Production Advisor at A Dream Called Khusui
April 1, 2024 - August 15, 2025
Advised student filmmakers on story development and ethical production in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar. Supported respectful engagement with vulnerable communities on a film that won a Student Academy Award.
Producer at Le Choix (Short Film)
March 1, 2024 - Present
Produced a short film for the Congo project as part of the Indian Paintbrush Grant.
Producer at Le Choix
March 1, 2024 - November 20, 2025
Produced a community-led short film about sexual exploitation at a public university. Indian Painbrush Grant.
Co-Writer & Producer at Do You Have a Name? (Short Film)
January 1, 2024 - Present
Co-wrote and produced a Mandarin-language science fiction short exploring science-driven themes (Beijing/Sloan Foundation Grant).
Development Intern at Louveture Films, New York
January 1, 2024 - May 1, 2024
Wrote script coverage and supported narrative and creative development for film and television projects.
Mentor / Advisor at A Dream Called Kushhi
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024
Advised on story and ethical research; worked briefly with Rohingya youth in Cox’s Bazar. Student Academy Award + College Television Award.
Producer & Co-Writer at Do You Have a Name?
January 1, 2024 - August 15, 2025
Co-wrote and produced a sci-fi short in a Mandarin-speaking environment. Led casting, location scouting, and crew hiring, successfully delivering the production amid cross-cultural and logistical constraints.
Producer at Le Choix
December 1, 2023 - August 15, 2025
Produced a narrative short in rural DRC with local cast and crew. Managed budgeting and scheduling and led workshops training mine workers to take on crew roles and run the film set, facilitating local capacity building.
Intern at Mirabai Films
November 1, 2023 - August 15, 2025
Assisted director Mira Nair with scheduling and sourced, organized, and prepared visual materials for her visual magazine, contributing to the creative process and production organization.
Mentor / Adviser at A Dream Called Khushi (Documentary)
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Advised on story development and ethical research practices while working with Rohingya youth in Cox's Bazar. The project received a Student Academy Award and College Television Award.
Creative Producer at UN Information Centre Kathmandu
September 1, 2021 - September 1, 2021
Wrote scripts and treatments for UN campaigns, directed and produced advocacy videos.
Creative Producer at United Nations Information Centre Kathmandu
January 1, 2021 - September 1, 2021
Wrote scripts and treatments for UN campaigns. Directed and produced advocacy and awareness videos.
Screenwriter at Pentacle Creationz
February 1, 2020 - February 1, 2020
Mumbai-based screenwriter for Indian projects; developed episodic arcs.
Writer & Director at Dodo (Short Film, Mumbai) • Amazon Prime
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020
Wrote and directed a coming-of-age short exploring memory and displacement.
Production Consultant at United Nations Information Centre
January 1, 2020 - August 15, 2025
Produced awareness campaigns on menstrual health and sanitation in rural Nepal. Developed scripts, visual concepts, and managed location shoots with cultural sensitivity to amplify community voices.
Screenwriter at Pentacle Creationz
May 1, 2019 - August 15, 2025
Wrote a television drama inspired by the Lifeline Express hospital train. Conducted field research and developed socially relevant storylines to engage and educate the audience.
Screenwriter at Pentacle Creations Mumbai
March 1, 2019 - February 1, 2020
Wrote scripts for short films and projects across the Mumbai scene.
Lecturer, Directing & Story Fundamentals at Whistling Woods International
March 1, 2019 - March 1, 2019
Taught first-year directing with an emphasis on visual storytelling and basic scene design. Led practical directing exercises and provided feedback on student films.
Lecturer, Directing & Story Fundamentals (Undergraduate) at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai
July 1, 2018 - March 1, 2019
Taught first-year directing with emphasis on visual storytelling and scene design. Led practical directing exercises and provided structured feedback on student films.

Education

Master of Fine Arts – Film, Creative Producing at Columbia University
January 1, 2022 - May 1, 2024
BSc in Filmmaking at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai, India
June 1, 2018 - May 1, 2019
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Producing at Columbia University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2024
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Film Making at Whistling Woods International
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2018
Diploma in Dramatic Arts at Actors Studio Nepal
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013
MFA, Creative Producing at Columbia University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2024
B Sc, Film Making at Whistling Woods International
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2018
Diploma in Dramatic Arts at Actor's Studio Nepal
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013

Qualifications

Sloan Production Grant
January 11, 2030 - August 15, 2025
Indian Paintbrush Production Grant
January 11, 2030 - August 15, 2025
MFA, Creative Producing (Columbia University)
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2024
BSc, Film Making (Whistling Woods International)
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2018
Diploma in Dramatic Arts (Actors Studio Nepal)
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013
Student Academy Award
January 11, 2030 - January 3, 2026
College Television Award
January 11, 2030 - January 3, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Education, Government, Professional Services