Joe Eshwar.
A British-Indian filmmaker based in Liverpool. Stories of people, place and belonging — told across borders.
Biography
Joe Eshwar is a British-Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, author and documentary filmmaker based in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Originally from Kerala, India, his career spans feature films, documentaries, television productions and short films.
Working across languages, countries and cultures, his films explore migration, identity, historical memory, spirituality, displacement and the complex relationship between individuals and their homelands. His independent approach combines ambitious international production with an enduring interest in ordinary lives.
Early Career and Entry into Cinema
Before establishing himself as a feature-film director, Eshwar worked in the South Indian film industry as an assistant, associate and chief associate director. His credits include the English-language production Saint Dracula 3D (2013) and Monsoon Tide. These experiences shaped his approach to the creative and technical demands of international filmmaking.
Kunthapura — Directorial Debut
Eshwar made his feature-film directing debut with Kunthapura (2013), a Malayalam-language historical period drama set against the backdrop of British colonial India in the 1920s. Written and directed by Eshwar, it features Charu Haasan, Anu Hasan, Biyon and Priyaa Lal, alongside British performers. The film examines colonialism, resistance and the experiences of rural communities. Recognition: Special Jury Mention, Kerala State Film Critics Awards (2014).
8119 Miles — International Recognition
His second feature, 8119 Miles (2021), is a multilingual international road drama about Gabriel D'Selva, a mechanic from Goa whose determination to reach the United Kingdom takes him on a perilous overland journey. Filmed across multiple countries, it explores migration, resilience, friendship and faith. Festival honours include the Critics' Prize and Best Production at the Terni Film Festival (2021); winner recognition at the Elizabethtown International Film Festival (2021); and finalist status at the Izmir International Refugee Film Festival (2021). It was also an official selection of Lift-Off Sessions (2020). The film became available on NET5 in February 2021.
Daavpech: The Trap
Eshwar's third feature, Daavpech: The Trap, extended his work into Marathi-language filmmaking. Featuring actor Prasad Oak, the project reflects his interest in developing cinema beyond a single language or region. This credit is included in the director biography, not in the company's selected public film portfolio.
Garudavruthantham — The Chronicles of Garuda
His fourth feature, Garudavruthantham (The Chronicles of Garuda), is a Malayalam-language rural drama about Aravindan, who returns from Chicago to Kerala to sell his ancestral property. A dispute involving a pond on the land disrupts his plans, drawing questions of inheritance, environmental memory and belonging into focus. As of November 2026, the film is in final post-production, with a 2027 international festival strategy in development.
Documentary and Television Career
Eshwar's professional biography credits him with 72 documentaries covering human experiences, cultural heritage, spirituality and migration. He has worked as a European programme producer for Shalom World Television and wrote and directed approximately fifteen episodes of its documentary series Journal.
Short Films and Literary Work
His short-film work includes The Response, Mamma, Feathers and W House. The Response was selected for Liverpool Film Night, organised by FACT. Eshwar has also written short stories and is credited as the author of Tessellated Pavements. His wider creative interests include photography, travel writing and cultural documentation.
TEDx Oxford — Quo Vadis?
In September 2026, Eshwar spoke at TEDxOsney in Oxford under the theme Quo Vadis — Where Are You Going?. Drawing on 8119 Miles, he discussed ambition, uncertainty, rejection, persistence and the unexpected paths of independent filmmaking.
Eastern Lantern Films Ltd
Based in Liverpool, Eshwar develops international feature films and production services through Eastern Lantern Films Ltd. The company's areas of work include film development, co-productions, documentary filmmaking and practical production support for overseas filmmakers working in the UK and other territories, subject to project-specific arrangements.
Creative Vision
Across Kunthapura, 8119 Miles and Garudavruthantham, Eshwar explores identity, migration, historical memory, spirituality, displacement and the connection between people and their homelands. He continues to pursue independent filmmaking and international collaboration, with an ambition to direct larger-scale English-language features for global audiences.
Selected recognition
Awards and festival recognition supplied and confirmed by the filmmaker.