Avani Rai is an Indian photographer and filmmaker who has been capturing the world through her lens since she was a teenager. Born in New Delhi, India, Avani developed a passion for photography at an early age. She studied photography at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India and then went on to pursue a Masters in Photography from the University of Westminster in London.
Avani's work has been featured in numerous publications including Vogue India, The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, and The Wall Street Journal. Her work has also been exhibited at galleries around the world including the Tate Modern in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Avani is known for her unique style of documentary photography which focuses on capturing everyday life with an eye for detail and emotion. Her work often explores themes such as identity, gender roles, and social issues. She has traveled extensively throughout India to document its diverse cultures and landscapes.
In addition to her photography career, Avani is also an accomplished filmmaker. She has directed several short films which have been screened at film festivals around the world including Cannes Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival. Her debut feature film "The World Before Us" premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019 where it won Best Documentary Feature Award.
Avani's work has earned her numerous awards including a World Press Photo Award for her series "The Unheard Voices" which documented stories of women living in rural India. In 2020 she was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list for Art & Culture category.
Avani continues to use her camera to tell stories that matter and inspire change around the world.