Meet Siddharth Sivakumar | Writer & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Siddharth Sivakumar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Siddharth, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The need to create has been within me since I was born. I was always writing stories and making little videos as a kid, daydreaming all day about the coolest fantasy world. I got lost in the stories I created in my head. When I realized I could bring those stories to life, to see them played out in-front of me, everything clicked.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create films with the aim of visceral storytelling. More of creating & displaying emotion than sticking to reality. I find that films too grounded can seem boring. To make a great film, it needs to be inherently emotional. Even realistic, non-fiction films such as the Zone of Interest have heavy visceral storytelling. It’s what makes the best movies even better, and it’s a tool I’ve fallen in love with. I’ve been wanting to be a filmmaker since I was a little kid. It seemed impossible for the longest time. Growing up in America I never have seen people like me in movies. In-front or behind the camera. Little did the movies I’d watch feature someone that looked like me, and when they did, it was the butt of a joke. Seeing this was discouraging, to me and especially my family who originally tried to shoot down any attempt of me pursuing a job in this industry. Regardless, I kept at it. I found ways through school such as its news station KCBY to be able to use more of my time creating. I looked up to the greats of filmmaking and filled my nights watching all the movies I could. Soon enough I was able to convince my parents (and more importantly myself) that I could do this. My passion and lack of doubt took me out of Texas and dropped me in Atlanta where I go to school. I’ve found myself working on many different sets honing my skills throughout every department in filmmaking. Currently, I’m in the process of creating my own film, “Decaffeinated” a dark comedy about addiction. If I’ve learned anything so far it would be that doubt is the end all be all of ANY career and that I still have so much more to learn. I want the world to understand that along with me, there’s a whole new generation of filmmakers gearing up to change the landscape of movies. So be ready.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Some of my favorite spots in Atlanta include the High Art Museum and Ash Coffee. Brasstown Bald is about two hours out and can be a beautiful hike. Many of the parks in Atlanta are gorgeous, but I’m gonna gatekeep my favorite. Sorry

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Mom & Dad, but mostly my little sister Shreya. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her in my life. Also the producers of my Film Decaffeinated. Sofia German, Akshita Yadavalli, and Benny Chinery.

Website: https://www.heliosfc.com

Instagram: siddsivakumar

Image Credits
Harris Britton
Taye Reed
David Rosales