WHO WE are
Visual Narrative Films creates focused, intentional indie films engineered not just to be made, but to break through. In a landscape where attention is the true currency, we transform constraints into creative advantages, crafting distinctive, high-impact stories that rely on precision, atmosphere, and audience connection rather than scale alone. Every project begins with clarity: a defined audience, a sharp creative angle, and a strategic path to visibility.
We don’t treat distribution as an afterthought it’s built into the DNA of the film from day one. By aligning storytelling with market awareness and audience behavior, our films are designed to travel: to generate conversation, build momentum, and compete far beyond their budgets.
The result is a new model of indie filmmaking: lean, deliberate, and positioned for outsized impact, where success isn’t measured by how much is spent, but by how effectively a film connects, resonates, and gets seen.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Unni Rav
Founder/CEO & Cinematographer
Unni Rav is an award-winning cinematographer, executive producer, and founder/CEO of Visual Narrative Films, crafting powerful visual stories from the San Francisco Bay Area for audiences around the world. Renowned for his striking imagery and deep narrative sensitivity, his work spans feature films, documentaries, shorts, and branded content, each frame shaped with intention, emotion, and cinematic precision.
His recent projects include Lost Inside (streaming on AppleTV & Amazon), Boundaries (set for release in 2026), Lemurian Candidate (currently on the festival circuit), and Tapak, an Indonesian feature now in production. Unni has also collaborated with acclaimed filmmaker Robert Greenwald, whose work has garnered 25 Emmy nominations and 2 Golden Globe nominations.
Among his notable documentary work is Beyond Bars, which tells the powerful story of Chesa Boudin, who, after his parents were incarcerated for their role in a fatal robbery when he was just 14 months old, rose to become a leading advocate for children of incarcerated parents and a reform-driven District Attorney.
Unni’s films have received critical acclaim, while his commercial portfolio includes collaborations with iconic global brands such as Burger King, Calvin Klein, and Harley-Davidson. With a storyteller’s soul and a cinematographer’s eye, Unni transforms visuals into emotion, capturing atmosphere, humanity, and truth in every frame.
Milena Rimassa
Lead Executive Producer
Milena Rimassa serves as Lead Executive Producer at VNF and Partner and President of Distribution at Iris Indie International. Through her role with VNF, she provides direct access to Iris Indie’s global distribution network, financing and packaging relationships, international sales expertise, and Iris Indie Studios’ North Carolina production facility, which includes more than 20,000 square feet of production space and a state-of-the-art LED virtual production volume.
A lifelong storyteller, Milena began her career as an entertainment journalist and financial editor, covering film, television, music, and media for The Hollywood Reporter and other publications. That experience shaped her understanding of the creative, financial, and human elements that help stories connect with audiences.
Today, she works across development, financing, production, and worldwide distribution. Milena maintains direct relationships with territorial licensors, broadcasters, distributors, and global streaming platforms. She also brings deep expertise in project packaging, tax credits, production incentives, and finance structures across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Milena is also the founder of Catalytic Films, a development, production, and financing company focused on commercially viable film and television projects with global potential. Through her alignment with VNF, she combines creative instinct, financial strategy, production infrastructure, and international market relationships to bring powerful stories to audiences worldwide with clarity, scale, and impact.
Rajeev Ravindranathan
Creative executive partner & actor/Director
Rajeev Ravindranathan is an Indian actor and stand-up comedian known for intelligent performances, quiet intensity, and sharply observed humor. Trained as an engineer before moving into the arts, he began his creative career in theatre, where he developed a disciplined, character-driven approach that continues to shape his work on screen and stage.
He gained wider recognition with his breakout role as Jimmy, the menacing school bully in Udaan, delivering a performance marked by unsettling realism and emotional precision. Rajeev has since appeared in major Hindi films including 3 Idiots, English Vinglish, and Katti Batti, consistently bringing authenticity, restraint, and depth to supporting roles.
Alongside his film career, Rajeev has established a strong presence in India’s stand-up comedy circuit. His comedy is cerebral, self-aware, and rooted in close observation, often exploring middle-class ambition, corporate culture, identity, social expectations, and the absurdities of everyday life. With dry wit and narrative control, he turns familiar experiences into smart, engaging performances.
Rajeev’s work bridges independent credibility and mainstream appeal. His ability to move naturally between dramatic storytelling and live comedy makes him a distinctive, versatile performer with a voice that is thoughtful, contemporary, and deeply relatable. Across both mediums, he brings emotional intelligence, precise timing, and a grounded perspective that connects with diverse audiences.
Ed Ng
Director, Producer & Creative Executive
Ed Ng is a director, producer, and writer who began his career in Northern California. His fascination with cinema started at a young age through films such as King Kong, Star Wars, and Apocalypse Now, inspiring a lifelong interest in storytelling and visual expression.
In junior high, Ed wrote his first short story about a motorcycle thief who, while fleeing the police, travels back in time—years before Back to the Future was released. The assignment earned him a strong grade and, more importantly, revealed an instinct for imaginative storytelling. Although he spent years pursuing another career, he eventually left his job to follow his creative path and make his first short film.
Through his production company, Be Media, Ed has worked with agencies to produce national television commercials and has helped develop and produce feature films and shorts. His experience has led to collaborations with companies including NBCUniversal, Apple, and Amazon.
As a director and producer, Ed is known for being practical, resourceful, and solutions-oriented. He understands how to balance story, budget, schedule, and crew while protecting the creative vision.
He is currently developing a feature film composed of interconnected stories exploring the emotional highs and lows of life in Los Angeles through a grounded, cinematic, and deeply human perspective.
LEGAL & LOGISTICs team
Ernest Goodman
Entertainment Lawyer
Mr. Goodman specializes in entertainment (media) law, offering comprehensive legal expertise across the industry. His practice covers intellectual property, contract negotiation, labor and employment issues, and dispute resolution. With extensive experience in film, television, music, and digital media, he is dedicated to safeguarding the creative and commercial interests of artists, producers, and storytellers as they navigate the complexities of the entertainment landscape.
ABR LIFESTYLE
logistics team
Visual Narrative Films proudly partners with ABR Lifestyle as our trusted logistics team, delivering precision, reliability, and excellence on every production. They expertly manage location setup, celebrity, cast, and crew transportation, and accommodation with seamless coordination. Their crew support ensures top-tier catering, rest areas, and essential facilities, keeping everyone comfortable and focused. What sets ABR Lifestyle apart is their ability to solve problems instantly, handling delays, adapting to challenges, and executing backup plans without disruption. Their professionalism and efficiency allow our productions to run smoothly, ensuring we stay focused on storytelling while they handle every critical detail behind the scenes.
creative TEAM
Yashashree Shende (YASH)
PROJECT MANAGER
With over 13 years of experience, Yashashree Shende combines strategic leadership with exceptional project management to bring creative ideas to life. Before joining Visual Narrative Films, she built a successful career in the tech industry, leading cross-functional teams and launching her startup, TravelTect (India). At Visual Narrative Films, she oversees productions from planning to final delivery, ensuring seamless execution, efficient collaboration, and timely completion. Outside work, Yashashree enjoys exploring art spaces and discovering the city's best plant-based dining, reflecting her passion for creativity and new experiences.
Pavan Bhat
Film Editor
Pavan Bhat, a freelance film editor and filmmaker from Bengaluru, divides his time between Bengaluru and Mumbai. His editing credits include Last Film Show (Chhello Show), directed by Pan Nalin, which was officially shortlisted for Best International Feature at the 95th Oscars; Bhasmasur (Nishil Sheth); Nirmal Anand Ki Puppy and Danny Goes Aum (Sandeep Mohan), among others. His work has received widespread acclaim at prestigious film festivals such as Tribeca, Berlin, Toronto, Busan, and Mumbai, as well as on global release platforms, winning both critical and audience praise.
Shraddha Sansare Upadhye
Production Designer
Shraddha Sansare Upadhye is a Production Designer based in San Francisco, California. She began her career in Bollywood (in Mumbai, India) and has worked on blockbuster films, as well as a Netflix original series. Shraddha is known to wear many hats and will find a creative solution for any hurdle in the Art Department.
Billy Finnegan IV
Production Designer
Billy Finnegan IV brings a multidisciplinary, hands-on perspective to every project he joins. A graduate of the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Sociology (2002), Billy directed music placement and licensing on projects with Lionsgate. In 2017, he returned to the Bay Area to reimmerse himself in the film world. His associate producer credit and first on-screen appearance came with Grizzly Peak, followed by his role as a Production Designer and Art Director in The System trilogy (2025). Billy’s additional credits span Locations, Armor Assistant, Associate Producer, Actor, Best Boy, 2nd AC, and Set Decorator - reflecting a career built on versatility, collaboration, and a deep respect for story.
Ashay Javadekar
Tech Consultant
Ashay Javadekar is a filmmaker, tech entrepreneur, and creative technology advisor with over 15 years of filmmaking experience. Holding a PhD in engineering, Ashay combines deep technical expertise with a passion for story building and creativity. As CEO of Eagle Studio, a company dedicated to building innovative tech solutions for creativity, Ashay helps bridge the gap between technology and artistic vision in modern film production.
Divya Nambiar
Marketing & Media Strategist
Divya Nambiar is a content writer, strategist and travel blogger with over a decade of experience in developing SEO-driven content. A former journalist with a Master's in Mass Communication from University of Mysore, and bylines in a travel trade magazine, a mainstream daily and an international news portal, she aims at bringing editorial insight into web content. She is now in the process of channeling all her skills into Content Marketing.
Gabriel Bocanegra
Sound Designer
As a freelance filmmaker and sound engineer with over 15 years of experience, Gabriel has worked on a wide range of film productions, from independent documentary projects to large-scale Hollywood productions. While he’s especially sensitive to soundscapes and audio world-building, Gabriel also brings extensive professional experience as a videographer and producer. He has worked in a wide range of geographic, linguistic and cultural contexts. Born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, he became nationally recognized as a sound engineer and documentary filmmaker.
Hugo Liu
assistant director
Hugo Liu is a Bay Area-based filmmaker originally from Hong Kong. He began his film journey at a camera rental house and has since produced award-winning films showcased at international and local festivals. A graduate in Motion Picture, he directs and produces narratives, documentaries, and commercials through his company, 1111. Hugo has worked in various roles—PA, gaffer, camera operator, and coordinator—on projects across Asia and the U.S. His clients include Google, Salesforce, eBay, and Firefox, and he previously interned with Turner Broadcasting in Singapore.
Kevin Edilson
Composer & Music Producer
Kevin Edilson is a versatile Film Composer, Music Producer, and Multi-Instrumentalist Musician from Mozambique, who is currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Kevin Edilson composes music scores for a variety of film genres, these include: Action, Drama, Psychological Thrillers, Wild Westerns, Comedy and Video Games. His main instrument is the guitar but he is also well versed with the piano and has a deep understanding of orchestral instruments. These personal skills allow Kevin Edilson to become a strong composer in this industry, and to be able to translate any story or director's vision to life. Kevin Edilson's main goal as a composer is to help a director's vision come to life, and provide the most value and quality possible.
govind k saji
Creative Producer
Govind K Saji, a filmmaker/ DP based in Los Angeles, earned his Diploma in Filmmaking from Creo Valley School of Film and Television in Bangalore (2016) and recently completed his MFA in Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles (December 2024). He is an alum of the Academy Gold Rising program (2024). He has honed his craft with a range of cinematography tools—from cinema cameras like the RED V-Raptor 8K, ARRI Alexa 35, Sony Venice 2 to 4K DSLRs and mirrorless systems. He is skilled in editing and post-production software, including DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Creative Cloud, MovieMagic budgeting and scheduling, and Avid Pro Tools. Having worked in film festivals and events, he also brings extensive experience managing 2D digital video production and 360 VR-based video production for social media and client projects. So far, Govind has directed films with filmmaking crews ranging from 4 to over 50 members.