Numa Khandwani is a director and photographer working across narrative, branded, and editorial formats with a focus on emotionally resonant storytelling and strong visual identity. Born in Dubai, educated in the United States, and now based in Toronto, Numa brings a globally informed perspective to her work. Her storytelling often explores themes of identity, growing up, and cultural memory, with a cinematic lens that leans intimate, grounded, and quietly powerful. She has worked across commercial and long-form formats, most recently assisting on *Daring Partners* (Prime Video, Dharmatic Entertainment), while also contributing to campaign productions for clients such as Etisalat and Les Benjamins. With a formal education in Film Production and Photography from Ringling College of Art & Design, Numa is as fluent in the technical craft of filmmaking as she is in shaping tone, mood, and visual narrative. Her practice is guided by a deep understanding of emotional storytelling, cross-cultural nuance, and aesthetics that connect. She is currently open to collaborations across film, fashion, and cultural projects that value strong direction, intention, and fresh perspective.

Numa Khandwani

Numa Khandwani is a director and photographer working across narrative, branded, and editorial formats with a focus on emotionally resonant storytelling and strong visual identity. Born in Dubai, educated in the United States, and now based in Toronto, Numa brings a globally informed perspective to her work. Her storytelling often explores themes of identity, growing up, and cultural memory, with a cinematic lens that leans intimate, grounded, and quietly powerful. She has worked across commercial and long-form formats, most recently assisting on *Daring Partners* (Prime Video, Dharmatic Entertainment), while also contributing to campaign productions for clients such as Etisalat and Les Benjamins. With a formal education in Film Production and Photography from Ringling College of Art & Design, Numa is as fluent in the technical craft of filmmaking as she is in shaping tone, mood, and visual narrative. Her practice is guided by a deep understanding of emotional storytelling, cross-cultural nuance, and aesthetics that connect. She is currently open to collaborations across film, fashion, and cultural projects that value strong direction, intention, and fresh perspective.

Available to hire

Numa Khandwani is a director and photographer working across narrative, branded, and editorial formats with a focus on emotionally resonant storytelling and strong visual identity.

Born in Dubai, educated in the United States, and now based in Toronto, Numa brings a globally informed perspective to her work. Her storytelling often explores themes of identity, growing up, and cultural memory, with a cinematic lens that leans intimate, grounded, and quietly powerful.

She has worked across commercial and long-form formats, most recently assisting on Daring Partners (Prime Video, Dharmatic Entertainment), while also contributing to campaign productions for clients such as Etisalat and Les Benjamins. With a formal education in Film Production and Photography from Ringling College of Art & Design, Numa is as fluent in the technical craft of filmmaking as she is in shaping tone, mood, and visual narrative.

Her practice is guided by a deep understanding of emotional storytelling, cross-cultural nuance, and aesthetics that connect. She is currently open to collaborations across film, fashion, and cultural projects that value strong direction, intention, and fresh perspective.

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Work Experience

Director’s Assistant (First Assistant to the Director and Showrunner) at Daring Partners 2025, Prime Video, Dharmatic Entertainment
April 30, 2025 - August 6, 2025
Actively shadowed and influenced creative decisions from script development to post-production. Collaborated with heads of departments to translate the director’s vision into cohesive visual and narrative elements. Led preparation of lookbooks, mood boards, and creative briefs to support presentations and align teams across production and studios stakeholders. Facilitated on-set script continuity, tracked revisions, and coordinated with script supervisors and assistant directors to maintain story integrity. Supported key editorial and visual choices during shoot and edit, contributing to scene tone and pacing adjustments.
Photo & Video Assistant at Sophia Khalifeh, Dubai, UAE
November 30, 2023 - August 6, 2025
Set up and managed lighting, camera gear, and grip equipment for high-end fashion and editorial shoots, ensuring smooth, professional-grade setups. Offered and executed creative inputs on shot composition, styling, and visual mood, actively contributing to overall look and feel alongside the photographer. Filmed and edited behind-the-scenes content.
Production Assistant at Deja Vu, Dubai, UAE
November 30, 2023 - August 6, 2025
Assisted producers and crew across commercial and narrative productions, supporting talent wrangling, set preparation, and real-time logistics on shoot days.
Script Coverage Writer at Hungry Bull Productions, Florida, USA
May 31, 2022 - August 6, 2025
Delivered detailed script coverage reports including loglines, synopses, and analysis to help producers evaluate narrative potential, character depth, script-to-screen feasibility, and market fit.

Education

BFA Film Production at Ringling College of Art & Design FL, USA
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022
Minor Photography & Imaging DIP. Creative Media at Ringling College of Art & Design FL, USA
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022
Education Distinction Award at English College Dubai, UAE
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2018

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education