Basilic Fly Studio celebrates Shutter Bird’s Oscar qualification

Basilic Fly Studio celebrates Shutter Bird’s Oscar qualification

Basilic Fly Studio is proud to celebrate the incredible milestone achieved by Shutter Bird, now officially Oscar-qualified. This recognition marks not only a triumph for the film’s creative vision but also a heartfelt moment of pride for every artist who contributed their craft to bring the story’s visual beauty and emotion to life.

A cinematic story that speaks from the soul

Directed by Réi (Justin “Réi” Ching), Shutter Bird unfolds as a deeply moving story set in rural California, following two teens, Mia and Ray, who dream of leaving their small town while struggling with family, grief, and the pull of memory. The film captures the fragile tension between loss and hope, grounded in an authentic sense of place.

Through its poetic storytelling, delicate cinematography, and emotional intimacy, Shutter Bird reminds us how powerful short films can be when they listen to the human heart. The performances of Isabella Ferreira (Love, Victor) and Dallas Liu (Avatar: The Last Airbender) anchor the narrative with sincerity and vulnerability, creating a world that feels both personal and universal.

The artistry behind the frame

Basilic Fly Studio is honored to have been a part of Shutter Bird’s creative journey through our visual effects team, whose work seamlessly supported the director’s storytelling vision. Every shot demanded precision, sensitivity, and an understanding of subtle emotion qualities our artists brought with care and dedication.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all the VFX artists, compositors, paint and roto specialists, tracking and lighting teams, supervisors, and production coordinators who contributed to the film. Each detail, each frame, and each invisible touch of artistry helped elevate the film’s emotional tone while keeping its natural realism intact.

The collaboration between our creative team and the filmmakers was rooted in trust and shared passion. Together, we aimed to preserve the raw soul of the story making that the visual effects served the narrative, rather than overshadowing it. From invisible compositing and delicate environmental cleanup to enhancing cinematic continuity, our team approached the project with both artistic sensitivity and technical precision.

A moment of gratitude and pride

Becoming Oscar-qualified is a reflection of the dedication and heart of everyone involved—from the director’s vision to the cinematographer’s framing, the editor’s rhythm, the sound designer’s emotion, and the subtle artistry of our VFX team.

At Basilic Fly Studio, we believe that storytelling is a collective art form, one where every department, every artist, and every frame matters. To see Shutter Bird reach this global recognition reminds us of why we do what we do: to tell stories that move people, across borders and languages.

We thank Réi, Adriana Santos, Adil Chamakh, Dawn Suhyun Shim, Kristin Valentine, and the entire creative crew for trusting us to be part of this journey. Their vision inspired our team to bring their best, frame by frame.

To all our artists who contributed to the film, your work shines quietly, but its impact is profound. This milestone belongs to you as much as to the film itself.

Looking ahead

As Shutter Bird continues its journey through festivals and Academy screenings, we at Basilic Fly Studio stand proud to have played a role in this heartfelt story. Collaborations like these remind us that cinema is not only about spectacle, but about emotion,about what stays with you long after the screen fades to black.

Congratulations once again to the director, actors, producers, and every artist behind Shutter Bird. Your passion, creativity, and dedication have truly taken flight.

Basilic Fly Studio is honored to have been part of this unforgettable journey and we look forward to seeing where Shutter Bird soars next.

Team Basilic Fly Studio

Yogalakshmi Balakrishnan
Executive Director & Chief Business Strategy Officer
Yogalakshmi Balakrishnan, visionary strategist who merges operational excellence with human-centered leadership. With the background in business analysis and HR enables her to align company goals with actionable strategies that foster sustainability and scale. Yoga is committed to optimizing operations, nurturing talent, and driving impactful change. Yoga also handles team engagement, enhances internal systems, and builds a solid foundation for long-term business success.
Balakrishnan R
Managing Director & CEO
Balakrishnan R's journey from a Compositor to the Founder of Basilic Fly Studio reflects an unwavering passion for visual storytelling. With years of hands-on experience in the VFX industry, he leads with an exceptional blend of creative insight and business acumen. His leadership style that emphasizes innovation, quality, and growth. Bala cultivates a collaborative culture that empowers teams and ensures that every project delivered is world-class that aligns to his long-term vision continues to push creative boundaries and elevate Basilic Fly Studio as a global VFX powerhouse.
Prabhakar D
Whole Time Director
Prabhakar D leads with a precise understanding of both artistic direction and technical execution. With a strong background in VFX production, he ensures seamless project delivery, creative consistency, and on-time execution across all divisions. He plays a critical role in aligning creative vision with studio objectives. Under his guidance, Basilic Fly Studio continues to produce high-quality content while nurturing a culture of excellence and integrity.
Zameer Hussain
Chief Operating Officer & Global EVP
Zameer brings depth in operations, strategic leadership, and creative workflows to the table. With a portfolio featuring global blockbusters like The Irishman and Stranger Things, he has redefined how teams collaborate and deliver. Focused on efficiency, learning, and innovation, Zameer integrates processes and people to achieve results at scale. His leadership enhances cross-functional collaboration and raises the bar for VFX production standards.
Gaurav Mehra
Chief Financial Officer
Gaurav Mehra is a financial strategist with deep experience in corporate finance, process automation, and ERP implementation. His leadership has been instrumental in driving financial transformation and operational efficiency. At Basilic Fly Studio, Gaurav ensures fiscal health, manages global compliance, and champions scalable financial models. His approach supports strategic growth and sustainability with precision and accountability.
Chandramohan
Company Secretary & Compliance Officer
Chandramohan leads the legal and compliance arm of Basilic Fly Studio, managing regulatory responsibilities across Indian and international subsidiaries. His expertise spans board governance, shareholder management, SEBI compliance, and legal drafting. He also supports overseas investments and regulatory filings (FDI, FTP, FLA), helping the company operate with integrity and transparency. His leadership fosters ethical growth and strong corporate governance.
Krishna Prasad
Head of Production
A media and entertainment leader with expertise in studio management and business development, Kris drives strategic growth, fosters collaboration, and optimizes business operations globally.
Lakshmanan C
Production Operations Manager
Lakshmanan is an operations expert skilled in data analytics, Python automation, and workflow optimization. At Basilic Fly Studio, he manages critical reporting tools and incentive schemes that enable production planning and team motivation. A tech enthusiast and optimizer at heart, he ensures data-backed decisions and efficient operations across the board. His work empowers the studio to stay agile and accurate in delivery.
Manikandan R
Associate Head of VFX Operations
Manikandan R brings over 19 years of experience in optimizing VFX operations and production workflows. He leads with a hands-on approach, ensuring timely delivery and team alignment across all project stages. Known for his analytical mindset and strong team leadership, he drives efficiency in large-scale productions. His passion for basketball and cricket reflects his energetic, team-driven approach to operations.
Rachael Penfold
CEO and Co-Founder of One of Us
"The film industry is full of challenges, and VFX is often front line ? inventing new ways to realise the creative appetites and imaginations of filmmakers and creators alike. The opportunity to combine with a fast-growing studio like BFS, working closely with Bala, Yoga and their fantastic leadership is very exciting for us. It allows us to expand in ways we would not easily achieve on our own. We will bring together our brilliant and talented teams, offering a greater diversity of choice within the sector and more exciting opportunities into the hands of our artists. This will be a powerful and agile offering, at a time when the industry is transforming itself, and engaging with the work requires new and innovative thinking. On a day-to-day basis, it will remain business as usual, with myself and the founders overseeing the London studio, and Emmanuel Pichereau providing leadership in Paris.
Balakrishnan R
CEO and Co-Founder of Basilic Fly Studio
Balakrishnan R's journey from a Junior Compositor to the Founder of Basilic Fly Studio reflects an unwavering passion for visual storytelling. With years of hands-on experience in the VFX industry, he leads with an exceptional blend of creative insight and business acumen. His leadership style that emphasizes innovation, quality, and growth. Bala cultivates a collaborative culture that empowers teams and ensures that every project delivered is world-class that aligns to his long-term vision continues to push creative boundaries and elevate Basilic Fly Studio as a global VFX powerhouse.
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Sal Umerji
General Manager , UK & Europe
With over 20 years of experience in film, TV, and advertising, Sal Umerji has held key leadership roles including COO, Head of Studio, and Head of VFX. He has successfully led creative and production teams across the UK and India, bringing a strong track record of strategic leadership and operational excellence. As he joins the global leadership team at Basilic Fly Studio, Sal will focus on strengthening collaboration across geographies, driving long-term growth, and preserving the unique culture and identity of each studio under the group.
Anbukumaran D
Head of Production
Anbukumaran Dakshinamoorthy brings over 28 years of experience in VFX, animation, and cinematography, leading complex projects and optimizing production pipelines across top studios. A 5th-generation fine artist, he merges creativity with strategic leadership, contributing to R&D-driven automation and workflow innovation. Outside the studio, he?s a passionate photographer, biker, and humanitarian who led the 1995 Mukti Mahayatra rally for the physically challenged.
Amir Shahinsha
Head of Studio
With over 25 years of experience in VFX and Animation, he brings unparalleled expertise in VFX production, technical integration, and studio operations.His journey includes designing robust production pipelines and pioneering India?s first remote render facility, key contributions that have propelled the industry forward.Beyond the studio, he is a passionate photographer and sports enthusiast, blending creativity, precision, and discipline in all aspects of life.We're excited to have him onboard as we continue pushing creative and technological boundaries!
Dinesh Rokade
Head of IT
Dinesh drives the technology infrastructure behind Basilic Fly Studio?s high-performance pipeline. He leads IT transformation, cybersecurity, and compliance efforts, including TPN Gold Shield certifications and cloud optimization. From remote work solutions to secure data workflows, his leadership ensures technical resilience and smooth production support. Dinesh enables scalable, future-ready IT environments across all sites.
Tushar Kant Ojha
Head of Human Resources
Tushar is a transformative HR leader passionate about shaping progressive workplace cultures. He excels in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and organizational development, bringing strategic HR thinking to every layer of the studio. Known for scaling diverse teams and driving HR innovations, Tushar promotes a people-first environment that aligns with Basilic Fly Studio?s growth ambitions. His approach fosters inclusion, productivity, and purpose.
Jennifer
GM Business Development North America
Jennifer is a dynamic business leader who bridges creativity and commerce. She brings strategic insight into client relationships, bidding processes, and long-term partnerships that fuel Basilic Fly Studio?s expansion. Calm under pressure and always solutions-oriented, Jennifer ensures client satisfaction, builds cohesive teams, and streamlines complex production processes to meet creative goals.
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Basilic Fly Studio

Basilic Fly Studio Ltd

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