Arif Wazir

I am a documentary filmmaker based in Leh, Ladakh, working at the intersection of directing, cinematography, and editing. As an alumni of the prestigious GreenHub Fellowship (Western Himalayas) a program rooted in environmental and community-based filmmaking I bring together visual sensitivity, lived experience, and deep field research.

Before filmmaking, I worked in tourism for four years as a professional biker. Those years on the road gave me a profound understanding of the region its terrain, its people, its silences, and its raw, unpredictable beauty. That journey shaped my instinct for adventure, endurance, and storytelling grounded in lived reality.

Rooted in ecological narratives and cultural preservation, my films explore the human spirit and the fragile landscapes of the Himalayas.Through the lens and through community, I try to capture resilience, connection, and voices often overlooked.

For me, filmmaking is a bridge between people and land, heritage and change, emotion and advocacy.

Mountain Stories

Documenting the lives of remote mountain communities, their traditions, and the challenges they face amid changing climates and landscapes.

River Journeys

Following the course of sacred rivers, capturing the rituals, stories, and ecological significance they hold for local people.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Director of Photography & Editor

Zen Mountain Studio – Manali
Shot and edited multiple documentary segments, photo stories, and short films. Contributed to visual storytelling projects centered on the Himalayas, conservation, and community-based narratives.

• Worked closely with grassroots communities

• Shot adventure-focused films

• Edited long-form documentary content

• Developed cinematic visuals rooted in culture and ecology

COMMERCIAL WORK

• Climb2Change Project (India) — DOP
  Worked with Emmy Award winner Ram Krishna Pokharel

• Bisleri Ad Shoot — DOP

• Refuge Ad Shoot — DOP, Editor

• Wedding Film (Leh) — Director, DOP, Editor

• Music Video for Local Artist — DOP

DOCUMENTARY FILMS & PROJECTS

Echoes of Chuchot

Director, Writer, DOP, Editor (2024–Ongoing)
A poetic documentary set in my village, tracing the search for the vanishing Ibisbill and reflecting on ecological memory, loss, and belonging.

Moving Mountains

DOP, Editor (2025–Ongoing)
An intimate, visually driven exploration of Himalayan resilience—following communities who navigate climate uncertainty, cultural change, and the shifting realities of mountain life.

Khass — A Story of Special Abilities

DOP (2025)
A heartfelt film about a child with special abilities, celebrating dignity, courage, and acceptance in Ladakh.
Selected at NHK Japan 2025

Woven Dreams: The Thread of Empowerment

Director, DOP, Editor
A film on women-led self-help groups in the mountains, weaving stories of culture, craft, and empowerment.
Selected at DIFF India 2025

I Am Zanskar

Assistant Editor
A documentary on cultural loss and the climate crisis in Zanskar.
Premiering at ALTEFF 2025 and IMF India 2025

Living Lahaul

Assistant Editor
A documentary exploring the deep connection between humans, wildlife, and nature in the remote valley of Lahaul.

EDUCATION

Diploma in Travel & Tourism (2019–2023)

Specialized in:

• Tourism marketing

• Sustainable tourism

• Cultural interpretation

Worked simultaneously in Ladakh’s tourism sector for 4+ years:

• Guided travelers and organized cultural expeditions

• Acted as a local ambassador

• Managed guests and coordinated travel programs

• Led solo & group bike expeditions across Ladakh

• Merged adventure travel with filmmaking and cultural storytelling

SKILLS Technical

• Camera Operation (DSLR & Mirrorless)

• Drone Operator

• Adobe Premiere Pro

• DaVinci Resolve

• Adobe Lightroom

• Photoshop

Creative

• Visual storytelling

• Long-form documentary editing

• Short-form content (Reels)

• Photo editing

• Scriptwriting

Interpersonal

• Leadership

• Teamwork

• Cultural sensitivity

• Field coordination

• Community engagement

CERTIFICATIONS & WORKSHOPS

• GreenHub Fellowship (2024): Community-based filmmaking & conservation storytelling

• 10,000ft Foundation: High-altitude documentary training & rural education outreach

• Volunteer, Green Stories – Goa 2025

• FTII Course: AI in Filmmaking

• Selected my film in DIFF India 2025

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