I am a Chicago-based writer, director, producer and filmmaker. I have expertise in storytelling, video camera operation and editing. I have made 3 short award-winning films since 2017. I also have expertise in the hero's journey and have published 4 academic articles on various aspects of the adventure. I have expertise in narrative, narrative structure, myth, archetype, fairytale an worldbuilding. In addition, I have expertise in academic writing for the Humanities.

Gitanjali Kapila

I am a Chicago-based writer, director, producer and filmmaker. I have expertise in storytelling, video camera operation and editing. I have made 3 short award-winning films since 2017. I also have expertise in the hero's journey and have published 4 academic articles on various aspects of the adventure. I have expertise in narrative, narrative structure, myth, archetype, fairytale an worldbuilding. In addition, I have expertise in academic writing for the Humanities.

Available to hire

I am a Chicago-based writer, director, producer and filmmaker. I have expertise in storytelling, video camera operation and editing. I have made 3 short award-winning films since 2017. I also have expertise in the hero’s journey and have published 4 academic articles on various aspects of the adventure. I have expertise in narrative, narrative structure, myth, archetype, fairytale an worldbuilding. In addition, I have expertise in academic writing for the Humanities.

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Language

French
Fluent
Danish
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
German
Intermediate
Hindi
Intermediate

Work Experience

Writer, Producer at Tail of the Dragon (one-hour drama series)
April 1, 2025 - Present
In development; developing a one-hour drama series, overseeing writing and production planning.
Writer, Producer, Director at Trinity Wars (short)
April 30, 2025 - Present
In development; writing, producing, and directing a short film; just awarded $3000 in grant money
Writer, Director, Producer at Bat (narrative short)
April 1, 2024 - September 9, 2025
In development; writing, directing, and producing the short.
Writer, Director, Co-Producer at Groped (narrative short)
April 1, 2024 - September 9, 2025
In development; writing, directing, and co-producing the short.
Writer at Sandra Claus (feature comedy)
September 1, 2019 - Present
Feature comedy project; represented for the 2019 Raine Filmmaker Award; Sundance Screenwriters Lab, second round.
Writer at Gray Clouds 4 Life (narrative feature)
November 1, 2015 - September 9, 2025
Paid assignment; feature drama; Top 15% Nicholl Fellowships.
Writer, Director, Co-producer at Weaning (digital video, experimental short)
June 1, 2004 - September 9, 2025
Oversaw production; involved in storyboarding and editing.
Redaction at Help! We’ve Got Kids! (digital video, documentary)
July 1, 2002 - Present
Shot and directed segments for a 6-part series documentary; aired on DR 1 (Denmark) in Spring 2003.
Writer at The Purifying Fire (feature)
August 1, 1999 - Present
Nicholl Fellowships, Quarterfinalist.
Associate Professor at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
September 1, 2015 - Present
Associate Professor, Film, Video, New Media and Animation (FVNMA); taught courses including Structuring Narrative, Worldbuilding, Beginning Screenwriting, and more.
Adjunct Professor of Instruction, School of Film and Television at Columbia College Chicago
September 1, 2004 - Present
Taught World Cinema, Production, Screenwriting, and a course on Worldbuilding; provided portfolio review and production guidance.
Writer, Producer, Director at Breathing above the Treeline (narrative short)
March 1, 2017 - August 1, 2018
Link: https://vimeo.com/294657183; Premiered at The Silicon Beach Film Festival, Los Angeles 6/14/2019; Official Selection, Milwaukee Short Film Festival, Milwaukee, USA; Nominated for Best Writing, Enginuity Film Festival, Shepherdstown, WV; Official Selection, Mosaic World Film Festival, Rockford, USA; Official Selection, 5th International Film Festival of Shimla, Shimla, India; Official Selection, Lake Placid Film Festival, Lake Placid, NY; Official Selection, International Short Film Festival Canton, Guangzhou, China; Nominated for Best Director of a Short Film, North Europe International Film Festival, London, UK; Nominated for Best Supporting Actress, North Europe International Film Festival, London, UK
Associate Professor, Adjunct at Columbia College Chicago
September 1, 2004 - Present
Film, Video, New Media and Animation (FVNMA). Teaching Structuring Narrative and Building the Imagined World; Beginning Screenwriting; Worldbuilding; Portfolio/lecture development.
Associate Professor at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
September 1, 2015 - Present
Teaching Film, Video, New Media and Animation; Structuring Narrative and Building the Imagined World; portfolio review and course design.

Education

Master of Fine Arts at Columbia University, Graduate School of Film
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 1999
Studies toward PhD in Comparative Literature at University of California, Berkeley
January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1994
Bachelor of Arts in English with Honors in Creative Writing at Wesleyan University
September 1, 1984 - May 15, 1989

Qualifications

Sundance Screenwriters Lab, second round
January 11, 2030 - September 9, 2025
Nicholl Fellowships, Quarterfinalist
August 1, 1999 - September 9, 2025
Top 15% Nicholl Fellowships
January 11, 2030 - September 9, 2025
Production grant, Danish Film Institute
December 1, 2002 - September 9, 2025
Nicholl Fellowships, Quarterfinalist
August 1, 1999 - September 9, 2025
Sundance Screenwriters Lab, second round
January 11, 2030 - October 13, 2025
Raine Filmmaker Award representation
September 1, 2019 - October 13, 2025
Nicholl Fellowships, Quarterfinalist
August 1, 1999 - October 13, 2025
Illinois Arts Council Agency Grant
October 1, 2019 - October 13, 2025
Part-time Faculty Development Grant, Columbia College Chicago
August 1, 2019 - October 13, 2025
Sundance Screenwriters Lab, second round
January 11, 2030 - October 13, 2025
Ra ine Filmmaker Award – 2019
January 1, 2019 - October 13, 2025
Nicholl Fellowships, Quarterfinalist
January 11, 2030 - October 13, 2025
Illinois Arts Council Agency Grant
January 11, 2030 - October 13, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Other
    uniE608 Bat
    A short live action narrative film with a VFX bat. video videoeditor filmdirector