Myth made human.

A premium independent motion picture studio developing an original slate of mythic, character-driven films under the creative vision of Neil Karunatilaka.

01 / Proof of Concept

Three worlds.
One first look.

The public trailer introduces the tone and scale of Studio VII Pictures. The complete 16-minute presentation is available privately by request.

Cinematic Proof of Concept16-minute presentation

The Prologue: The Dead Do Not Return

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.

Inside The Prologue

Explore the cinematic chapters spanning the Studio VII feature slate below.

Unreal Engine fly-through of an ancient Greek Underworld environment
World-Building / VFX Environment Preview

A passage through the Underworld

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.

02 / Feature Slate

Old myths.
New consequences.

A connected creative slate of elevated genre features, each designed as a standalone cinematic world with franchise-scale potential.

I
Arthurian LegendIn Development

The Last Breath

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.

Cast / Proof of ConceptKayla Swift as Guinevere, Lead · Adrian Honner as The Soldier, Supporting
The Last Breath animated title
II
Greek MythIn Development

The Serpent's Snare

A dark reimagining of Greek mythology centered around ancient Athens, cursed bloodlines, and the legend of Medusa.

Set generations before The Last Breath. In The Prologue, The Soldier enters a ruined Greek temple charged with supernatural danger.

Cast / Proof of ConceptAdrian Honner as The Soldier, Lead · Kimberly Roxas as Medusa
The Serpent's Snare animated title
III
Ancient EgyptIn Development

The Obelisk

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.

Cast / Proof of ConceptCasting to be announced
The Obelisk animated title
Filmmaker Neil Karunatilaka at The Prologue private first-look presentationNeil Karunatilaka · Founder, Director, Writer, Producer
03 / The Filmmaker

A singular
creative vision.

Neil Karunatilaka is an American film director, writer, producer, and visual effects filmmaker based in California. He founded Studio VII Pictures 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.

CreatorDirectorWriterProducerVisual Effects
Studio VII founder Neil Karunatilaka attending Cine Gear Expo 2026 with his wife in matching Studio VII jackets
Studio VII / In the Field

Cine Gear
Expo 2026.

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.”

Roger Deakins signed copy of Reflections: On Cinematography inscribed To Studio VII
Reflections: On Cinematography · Inscribed to Studio VII
04 / Newsroom

The first
look.

Adrian Honner, Andrew Johnston, Neil Karunatilaka, Kayla Swift, and Eddie Davies at The Prologue private first-look presentationPhoto by Maury Phillips / Getty Images for Studio VII
North Hollywood, CaliforniaMay 14, 2026

Studio VII hosts private first-look presentation for The Prologue: The Dead Do Not Return

The 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.

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something unforgettable.

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Studio VII does not accept unsolicited scripts, screenplays, treatments, pitches, concepts, story ideas, artwork, links, or other creative material. Any unsolicited material sent through this form or to a Studio VII email address will not be read, reviewed, or returned and will be deleted without response.