
Akshay Bhatia
Directing
Biography
Akshay Bhatia is a Georgia-born, Atlanta-based filmmaker. He recently served as Francis Ford Coppola's personal assistant and directorial apprentice on Megalopolis, where he followed the project from pre-production all the way through post-production and premiere. During the shoot, he aided in directing and writing scenes for the film, and apprenticed under Roman Coppola, director of the second unit, working most frequently with him to help rehearse the many practical special effects in the film. He also collaborated with Mike Figgis, director of Leaving Las Vegas, on MegaDoc, the behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of Megalopolis. Along with the ongoing festival tour of his latest short film as director, titled The Preakness, starring Jeffrey Pierce of The Last Of Us fame, with music by electronic music legend Dan Deacon, Bhatia is in development on his debut feature, as well as serving as producer on an untitled zombie film directed by renowned film critic Scout Tafoya and executive produced by Mark Pellington, director of The Mothman Prophecies and Arlington Road.
Known For

In a futuristic New York known as New Rome, visionary architect Cesar Catilina dreams of building "Megalopolis," a utopian city that redefines society’s limits. Opposing him is the corrupt Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who clings to power and profit. Between them stands Julia, the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar forces her to choose between loyalty, ambition, and the fate of humanity.
Megalopolis

Presenting a behind-the-scenes account of a visionary at work. From Oscar-nominated Mike Figgis, Megadoc gives audiences an unfiltered and intimate look at the making of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic sci-fi drama Megalopolis.
Megadoc

When a young woman confesses her lust for a man devoted to the church, her priest’s guidance blurs into provocation when he believes the confession is meant for him.
Confessions

Artistic lovers, Viv and Jay, have become trapped in a vicious cycle of codependent heroin addiction. But when Viv’s wealthy parents hire an interventionist to take Viv to rehab, the couple decides to set off on their own with the help of a suboxone prescription... all they have to do is survive a harrowing night through drug withdrawal.
Withdrawal

One drunken night, a down on his luck horse trainer is visited by a mysterious lobbyist who comes to him with a centuries spanning pitch involving the US meat packing industry, the history of horse racing, and how he and his farm factor into all of it.
The Preakness

A stranger wonders the empty streets of his neighborhood and city searching for answers but is being lured away by an unseen force.
Soulless

A young hellion named Kip grows up too fast in a small sweat-assy town that’s eaten up with the mystery of a lost child.
BiRDY

After an unsuspected called Daniel is informed his father won't make it through the night, he is conflicted on whether or not he should go since they haven't spoken in years.
Just One More
While suffering through a shift at an independent cinema, a disillusioned theater employee reconnects with an old friend, discovering that the place dedicated to other people’s stories might finally force them to confront their own.
Some Kind of Escape

Conflicted on where to take his story next a writer gets an unexpected visit from someone who tries to motivate him to continue writing.
Writer's Block

A mysterious lurker stalks a girl with a strange hobby in this dark atmospheric thriller.