A premium independent motion picture studio developing an original slate of mythic, character-driven films under the creative vision of Neil Karunatilaka.
The public trailer introduces the tone and scale of Studio VII. The complete 16-minute presentation is available privately by request.
A cinematic director’s treatment combining proof-of-concept footage, visual-effects-driven sequences, concept imagery, atmospheric storytelling, and narrative world-building across the Studio VII feature slate.
Five cinematic chapters spanning the Studio VII feature slate.
The Soldier connects two chapters of the Studio VII slate. Adrian Honner appears in a supporting role in The Last Breath, confronting an otherworldly army at the threshold between life and death, and leads The Serpent's Snare as the character enters a ruined Greek temple charged with supernatural danger.
The lead role in The Last Breath. Guinevere stands at the center of an Arthurian dark fantasy shaped by forgotten gods and ancient realms.
A vision of Medusa inside the mythological world of The Serpent's Snare, a prequel of sorts to The Last Breath.
From the domain of pharaohs and kings to the heights of Mount Olympus and the depths of the Underworld, The Prologue crosses ancient civilizations and mythic realms shaped by gods, monsters, and forbidden power.
A mysterious figure emerges from the desert, carrying the ritual imagery and forbidden power of The Obelisk.
An ancient force erupts in a surge of supernatural energy, revealing only a glimpse of the danger held within this world.
A solitary passage into the unknown expands the mythological scale, atmosphere, and visual language of The Prologue.
The Prologue: The Dead Do Not Return
An Unreal Engine environment fly-through developed for The Prologue, exploring the ancient Greek Underworld and the connected mythological universe of the Studio VII slate.
A connected creative slate of elevated genre features, each designed as a standalone cinematic world with franchise-scale potential.
A mythological dark fantasy inspired by Arthurian legend, exploring forgotten gods, ancient realms, and the fragile boundary between life and death.
The Prologue depicts Guinevere and a warrior at the edge of an immense, otherworldly army.
A dark reimagining of Greek mythology centered around ancient Athens, cursed bloodlines, and the legend of Medusa.
A prequel of sorts to The Last Breath. The Prologue follows The Soldier into a ruined Greek temple charged with supernatural danger.
An ancient Egyptian supernatural thriller exploring forbidden power, ancient gods, and the rise of a mysterious monolithic force.
The Prologue previews the project’s scale, iconography, and supernatural tone.
Neil Karunatilaka · Founder, Director, Writer, ProducerNeil Karunatilaka is an American film director, writer, producer, and visual effects filmmaker based in California. He founded Studio VII to develop original, character-driven films across mythology, fantasy, horror, and science fiction. His work combines cinematic world-building, practical filmmaking, and visual effects under a singular creative vision. In 2026, he presented The Prologue: The Dead Do Not Return, a 16-minute proof-of-concept director’s treatment introducing the Studio VII feature slate.
Studio VII founder Neil Karunatilaka attended Cine Gear Expo 2026 with his wife, joining filmmakers, artists, and motion-picture technology leaders from across the industry.
A memorable highlight was receiving an inscribed copy of Reflections: On Cinematography from acclaimed cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins, personally dedicated “To Studio VII.”
Photo by Maury Phillips / Getty Images for Studio VIIThe event introduced Studio VII's developing slate of mythological fantasy and dark genre films, bringing collaborators, cast, invited guests, and creative partners together for an intimate presentation of the studio's visual identity.
Follow on InstagramFor development, financing, distribution, press, and creative partnership inquiries connected to the Studio VII original slate.
