Catho D’Souza is an emerging writer and director, whose work focuses on using art for social impact. She began her career writing and directing stage productions. Her debut play The Games We Play (2016) tackled the impacts of drone warfare on civilians. Her second production, titled When We Meet Again (2017), dealt with the different and complicated interpersonal relationships between women who have faced loss.

During her time at the University of Sydney, she spent a year abroad studying at the UCLA School of Theatre Film and Television where she was a member of the prestigious Bruin Development Academy for Media and Entertainment.

Catho expanded her focus to creating work for screen to impact a wider audience and further elevate the voices of her characters. Her film I'd Never Date an Indian Girl (2025) had its Australian Premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and won the People's Choice and Best Actress awards at its debut festival in New Zealand. She has also written and directed other impactful projects including the short film Snow Pea (2022) which premiered at Malibu International Film Festival and You Make Me Sick, set for a 2026 premiere.

Her most recent work I’m Still Here will make its premiere as a 2026 Tropfest Finalist, 1 of 16 selected from over 700 submissions.

Catho’s passion extends beyond her work. Most recently she moderated a panel at SXSW Sydney 2025 called ‘Hating and Loving Ourselves: The Impact of What We Consume’. The discussion focused on the impact representation in film and television has on audience self-worth and perception. She spoke alongside Safia Arain (actor; ‘Bump’, ‘House of Gods’), Sereen Omran (artist, content creator) and Raeanne Chami (producer of ‘The Crop Tops’).

In 2023, Catho was listed as one of ANZ’s rising creatives by LBBOnline and in 2024 was nominated by Paramount for the B&T 30 under 30 awards. She has also built a community on TikTok around her filmmaking projects including short form cinematic art films that have garnered her over 34,000 followers.

Alongside a team of collaborators across Sydney and LA, Catho develops and executive produces films, music videos, online series and commercial content that blend meaningful storytelling with striking visuals.