Production and post studio Aris has signed Indian-American director Zoe Malhotra, marking her first exclusive deal for representation throughout the U.S.
Malhotra joins the roster after previously freelance directing with Aris for Pfizer. She and Aris are currently shooting a social campaign for a major airline.
Specializing in character-driven stories with a vérité approach, Malhotra’s work often balances an elevated cinematic style with an organic feel while incorporating unique texture through mixed media and film elements. Her commercial portfolio includes campaigns for global brands Walmart, eBay, Six Flags, Coachella, Genentech, Maison Margiela, and DoorDash. Earlier in her career she had regional representation, handled in the Midwest market by Dictionary Films.
Malhotra has collaborated with a range of personalities, such as celebrities Ashley Tisdale, John Leguizamo, Charli XCX, and Chappel Roan, as well as key opinion leaders and novice talent. This passion for crafting narratives centered on real people and cultural celebrations carries over to her work as an independent documentary filmmaker. She is also an accomplished producer of documentary features and series on Hulu, Showtime, and Netflix. For the latter, she garnered a News & Documentary Emmy nomination for producing the Nadia Hallgren-directed Civil: Ben Crump (2022), an intimate vérité look following the life of maverick civil rights attorney Ben Crump during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Brands today seek authentic stories that organically resonate with audiences, and Zoe has a rare talent for capturing these narratives in a way that feels authentic to both the subjects and the brand’s ethos,” said Greg Bassenian, Aris founder and executive producer. “She also embodies a new generation of digitally-native directors that both our agency and brand clients will appreciate–one who brings hands-on experience in the production and post processes, along with a keen sense of conceiving a story for screens of all sizes.”
“Authenticity, for me, means crafting stories that audiences see themselves in, creating connections that resonate deeply,” said Malhotra. “Greg and I are very aligned on how to channel that perspective in the branded space. I’m confident that Aris will be the best partner to support my creative style and storytelling approach, and together, we can deliver brands a fresh, authentic voice.”
Malhotra’s multicultural upbringing–as an Indian-American raised in Washington, D.C.–shaped her worldview as a storyteller. While studying at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, she focused on documentary storytelling, and her thesis documentary short about a mother-daughter cooking duo, God Bless the Cook, made waves on the festival circuit. The film caught the attention of DoorDash, leading to her first directing gig for a major brand.
“That project ignited my interest in short-form branded content and the collaborative dynamic of working with diverse teams in the ad world, from agency creatives to production talent to brand-side execs,” said Malhotra.
Working with brands, she has established her signature visual style of beautiful naturalism and ability to uncover impactful stories, as seen in her eBay Sellers Stories project. The film follows immigrant Sarkis Rshdouni, a former archaeologist and vintage camera refurbisher, who preserves his passions and past as an eBay seller.
Malhotra went on to deepen her imprint by working with the notable Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival to direct its first short documentary, Ascending, a 25-minute film capturing a historic moment in global music at Coachella 2023, where six South Asian artists redefined the festival experience and global music landscape.
“I have a deep curiosity and love for the world and the stories it holds,” she concluded. “As a director, I’ve been connected to so many different people from all walks of life, finding truths in each story that could never be scripted. In the branded space, I have the opportunity to capture this essence and elevate it cinematically – creating in a way that conveys genuine emotion and lasting impact.”
