Gunjan Dere is an animator and storyteller from India with an MFA in Animation from USC. Blending traditional and contemporary art styles, his work explores fresh ways to represent culture in animation without limiting its audience. Passionate about storytelling that transcends borders, he aims to craft meaningful narratives while supporting the next generation of storytellers.

 

Since graduating, Gunjan has worked on several acclaimed short films and is best known for directing Salt and Pepper, a film that explores the struggles of creativity and self-doubt.

 

Outside animation, Gunjan enjoys playing guitar and making music, often drawing creative inspiration from sound. His multidisciplinary interests shape his storytelling approach, adding rhythm and emotional nuance to his visual work.