Rufat Ray is a director and cinematographer specializing in branded and narrative-driven content for film and multiple platforms. He has led commercial and corporate productions for agencies and clients in Azerbaijan, overseeing creative direction, visual concept, and on-set execution across the full production process. His work includes projects for international agencies and brands such as McCann, DDB, Leo Burnett, and Procter & Gamble, managing productions from development and client strategy through production, post-production, and final delivery.

 

His debut short film The Well (2023) premiered in Germany at the Cottbus International Film Festival and won Best Film (Golden Pomegranate Award) at the Baku International Film Festival. He also participated in the MPV Talents Nest program at the Vilnius International Film Festival in Lithuania.

 

Rufat is a Fulbright Scholar from Baku, Azerbaijan, currently based in the United States and pursuing an MFA in Film Production and Cinematography at Ohio University’s School of Film under the mentorship of Palme d’Or–nominated director Rajko Grlić.