We are a
social impact
creative studio
Some stories deserve more than documentation
Most organisations don't struggle to do meaningful work. They struggle to communicate it.
The challenge isn't visibility. It's helping people understand why the work matters.
That's where we come in.
We work alongside organisations, movements and communities to uncover the human stories inside programmes, policies and systems, creating films that stay with people long after they've finished watching.
10+
Years in the Field
Documenting communities, movements, and organisations across India and Southeast Asia.
30+
Documentary Projects
Across education, health, migration, gender, climate, livelihoods, and justice.
4
Countries
Stories documented across India, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand
100+
Days in the Field
Each year working alongside communities, not just behind the camera.
The Sonder Method
The strongest stories are rarely found in a brief alone. They emerge through time, trust, observation, and the willingness to let people lead us into their world.
We follow the story, not just the brief. We protect complexity. We let form carry meaning. And we think about the afterlife of every film: where it will travel, who it needs to reach, and what it can help make possible.
We listen before we frame
Every project begins with curiosity, not assumptions. We spend time understanding people, context, and relationships before deciding how a story should be told.
We follow the story, not only the brief.
A brief tells us the objective. The field tells us the story. We stay open to what emerges, striking perfect balance.
We protect complexity.
Communities are never one-dimensional. Our work resists simple narratives, making space for nuance, contradiction, and the dignity of lived experience.
We think beyond the film.
A documentary doesn't end with the final export. We create stories that can travel across fundraising, advocacy, campaigns, reports, and public conversations.
Things We Do
Documentary Films
Character-led films that explore people, places, and systems with depth, patience, and emotional honesty.
Impact Films
Purpose-driven films for fundraising, advocacy, reporting, campaigns, and public engagement.
Photography
Editorial and documentary photography that captures people, field realities, organisational work, and moments of change.
Distribution & Dissemination
Ensuring stories reach the audiences they were made for- through screenings, festivals, campaigns, partnerships, digital platforms, and strategic outreach.
Field Documentation
On-ground documentation of programmes, communities, events, trainings, processes, and lived experiences.
Narrative Strategy
Research, interviews, story mapping, and creative direction to help organisations identify the strongest way to tell their work.
Proven Success
Insia Dariwala
Trauma-Informed Executive Leader | Founder | Survivor-Centered Systems Change | Creative Campaign Strategist | TEDx Speaker | Filmmaker | Author
"I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Studio Sonder across a range of deeply sensitive and complex projects, and his work as a cinematographer and editor has always stood out for its thoughtfulness and integrity.
On projects dealing with issues such as child sexual abuse, female genital cutting, and palliative care awareness, Studio Sonder brings a rare balance of technical skill and emotional intelligence. They understands the weight of these subjects and approaches them with great care, ensuring that the storytelling remains respectful, nuanced, and grounded in dignity.
I would strongly recommend Studio Sonder for any work that requires both creative excellence and a responsible, human-centered approach to storytelling."
Uma Chatterjee
Founder & CEO | Sanjog
Co- founder | Change Mantras
Co- Founder | Torii International
"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Studio Sonder on multiple projects, and what consistently stands out is their ability to bring depth and sensitivity to storytelling.
Studio Sonder approaches filmmaking with a rare combination of creative clarity and empathy. Whether working with communities, young people, or institutional stakeholders, he creates an environment of trust that allows authentic stories to emerge. Their strength lies not just in visual storytelling, but in truly listening- something that reflects in the honesty and nuance of their films.
They are highly collaborative, open to feedback, and deeply committed to the purpose of the work. From conceptualisation to execution, Studio Sonder brings thoughtfulness, rigour, and a strong sense of design to everything they do.
I would highly recommend Studio Sonder to anyone looking to create meaningful, impact-driven visual narratives."
Roop Sen
Co-Founder | Torii, Change Mantras, Sanjog,
Nyaypath | System's Coach
"Raj Shekhar is a deeply thoughtful filmmaker and a remarkably sensitive human being. What stands out in Raj is not only his artistic ability, but the quality of attention and empathy he brings to people, stories, and the world around him. As a filmmaker, he has the instinct to see beneath the surface and the patience to allow complexity, nuance, and emotion to emerge with honesty. His work is marked by sincerity, intelligence, and a quiet depth that stays with you.
As a person, Raj carries sensitivity without pretence. He is attentive, respectful, and deeply humane in the way he engages with others. He listens carefully, relates with warmth, and brings a rare integrity to both his creative and personal relationships. I value him not only for his talent, but for the kind of person he is — reflective, compassionate, and grounded. He is someone who brings both artistic seriousness and human depth to whatever he does.
