Didimos Johnson Pulikkottil is a self-taught photographer and a PhD student in chemistry at Auburn University. His passion for photography began while experimenting with chemicals in a neighbor’s photo lab. His work has been recognized nationally and internationally. He is actively involved in local art communities, including OA Visual Voices, the Auburn Arts Association, and BOXCAR (Opelika-Auburn Film Arts Collective). In December 2024, he organized the successful “Deserted Village” art show in Auburn, which showcased work by 10 artists and offered free workshops aimed at raising awareness about climate change through art. He hopes to continue this as an annual event.
His storytelling is deeply personal, often inspired by his family, life experiences, and the time he spent teaching with an NGO in northern India after completing his master’s degree. He is the founder and curator of the first Auburn Science Film Festival and hopes to continue making films that explore real-life stories and reflections on the world around him. Didimos is partnering with RadicalMedia on a project that captures powerful portraits and stories of remarkable individuals from Alabama. Didimos has made several short films and is currently collaborating on projects with filmmaking communities in both Boston and Columbus, GA. He is currently working on his dream film project, “Muneeba”.
Education
BS-MS Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala
Film and TV Industry Essentials Certificate- NYU
PhD (2021-Present) Auburn University, Alabama
2016- BURN - Writer/Producer (Student Project)
2017- Manjalneerattu- Cinematographer/Director (Student Project)
2019- Heaven in Quarantine – Documentary photography project capturing life in Kashmir (‘Heaven on Earth’) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020- Thiruvonam Varavayi- Onam video song- Cinematographer (Student Project)
Toomer Sittin – Ongoing photo project documenting protesters at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn, Alabama, exploring their journeys, relationships, and struggles.
2021- Thiru (Malayalam Short film)- Screenplay
2023- Superheroes of NYC – Documentary photography project highlighting food delivery workers in New York City.
2024- Two Worlds, Two Fathers- Cinematographer/Director
2024- Stephenson (Post Production)- Cinematographer/Director
2025- Ugly NYC- Cinematographer/Director
2025-2026 Let's go to Tuskegee (Development)
2024-2026 Bay Kelley's Dream (Production in progress)
2025-2026 CampHill (2030)- Documentary photography project about CampHill,Al and ACROSS (The Alabama Center for Rural Organizing and Systemic Solutions )
Freelance contributor for Radical Media’s Be the One project (2026): Produced five complete stories — including photo and video content — within a 30-day period.
2026- Muneeba (Development)
EXHIBITIONS/AWARDS
2016- National Science Film Award for "BURN"
2017- India International Science Film Award for "BURN"
2017- National Science Film Award "ManjalNeerattu"
“One Blue, Two Orange” – Semifinalist at the 3rd International Rotary Peace Film Festival; Official selection at First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Vol. 13, Kerala Short Film Festival, and FLAME FirstCut 2026; Winner of Best Experimental Film at Kodaikanal International Film Festival, Gothamite Monthly Film Awards and Auburn Indie Film festival 2025.
2021- Auburn City Fest
2022- Auburn City Fest- Photography Merit Award
2023- Auburn Arts Association-Photo award
2022, 2023- Opelika Auburn Visual Voices Exhibition
2024- Deserted Village - Edition 1
2025-2026 Verdant
Fund Project Grant. (CampHILL 2030)
Fund Project Grant. (CampHILL 2030)
