ruchi mital
foundress / filmmaker / ceo
In addition to a background in creative writing and social justice, penchant for puns, and a deep dedication to the dancefloor, Ruchi brings to Solani over a decade of experience producing a kaleidoscopic array of film and television projects. Her first feature, We Could Be King, won the Emmy for Outstanding Sports Documentary.
Most recently, Ruchi produced and co-wrote This World is Not My Own, a genre-bending hybrid doc now on a North American theatrical run and airing on PBS in Spring 2025, and Solani Media’s first co-production, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, currently touring festivals around the world. She also produced Encounters, which was nominated for an Emmy – Ruchi’s third nom!
In 2020, Ruchi was selected as one of DOCNYC’s 40 Under 40 list of emerging non-fiction talents. She has served as a filmmaking mentor through the 2021 Sundance Producer’s Intensive and 2022 DOCNYC Storytelling Incubator. In 2023 she had the honor of serving as Juror for DOCNYC’s International Competition, and the Reel Sisters of the African Diaspora Film Festival.
Ruchi’s films have screened at festivals including Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, and Hot Docs, and she has produced work for partners including HBO, Netflix, Paramount, and more. A full list of works is below.
work
Encounters (2023, Netflix, with Amblin Entertainment, Boardwalk Pictures, Vice)
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow (2023, docnyc premiere)
This World is Not My Own (2023, with OpenDox, SXSW, Hot Docs Premiere)
Women Making History (2021, Lifetime, Feat. Kamala Harris)
The Me You Can't See (2021, Apple TV+)
This is Personal (2019, Paramount Pictures, Sundance Premiere)
The Case Against Adnan Syed (2019, HBO, Emmy nomination)
Connecting Thread (2017, Refinery29)
Local Voices (2016, Democratic Super PAC Campaign)
Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang (2016, Netflix, Sundance Premiere)
Hell Week (2015, ESPN)
We Could Be King (2014, Tribeca Films, Emmy-winner, Outstanding Sports Doc)
honors
zachary barnett
cofounder / coo
Zach’s first boss said he could get blood out of a stone, and his friends call him the Director of Ambèyonce. Simply put, he is a deeply creative person who knows how to get things done with style.
After graduating from Concordia University with a Bachelors of Industrial Design, Zach opened a gallery in Brooklyn with Gabriela Alva Cal y Mayor called Eyelevel BQE. The community facing arts space helped support a wide range of creatives from choreographers, sculptures, and photographers. Facilitating connection through experience and culture emerged as a theme that would continue to drive Zach’s life. It was during this time that he began advocating for funding for an outside-the-box HIV vaccine, eventually starting Abzyme Research Foundation, and the #endHIV Campaign.
Zach was producing a celebrity powered PSA with Zoe Saldana, Sia and Julianne Moore and needed a talented storyteller to help craft the vision - enter Ruchi. The two instantly felt recognized in the other. Sparks, baby.
Since then he has lead operations and creative direction at tech and computer start ups. At the same time he was starting to write science fiction novels, TV pilots, and capture film ideas.
When Ruchi expressed interest in breaking out on her own she needed a partner. This time it was Ruchi bringing in Zach. Full circles are the best kinds of circles. Sitting between production, fundraising, partnerships and communications, Zach brings clear messages and strong execution to all his work. In Ruchi's words, Zach is someone around whom things move.