acting background

I lean towards villainous and comedic roles.

I've been acting since the age of 3 in school plays and musicals. 

I did Theatre acting throughout elementary, middle, and high school.

I began acting on-camera in high school and fell in love with the craft.

Whether it’s a lead role, an audition, or an improv exercise, nothing makes me happier. 

ACTOR'S ACCESS
BACKSTAGE
Kariena Panpaliya Acting Headshot

Click on the pictures for links

(if available)

LEAD ROLES

~

LEAD ROLES ~

Before The Light Fades Dir. Wenqing Jian

Before the light fades

Short Film

Dir. Wenqing Jian

August 2026

iris

Lead

The Funeral Dir Sinden Goldberg

the funeral

Short Film

Dir. Sinden Goldberg

August 2026

Naomi

Lead

Kourtney Dir Mia Akkaraju

kourtNEY

Short Film

Dir. Mia Akkaraju

August 2026

Maddie

Lead

Missed You Dir Chloe Chae

missed you

Short Film

Dir. Chloe Chae

July 2026

jayden

Lead

Party! Dir. Nika Tabrizi

Party!

Short Film

Dir. Nika Tabrizi

July 2026

Emma

Lead

Angel Dir. James Zhang

Angel

Short Film

Dir. James Zhang

July 2026

Samantha

Lead

Boredom Bliss Dir. An Nguyen

Boredom bliss

Short Film

Dir. An Nguyen

Mar 2026

the girl

Lead

Evie's Room Dir. Gabe Sakoda

evie’s room

Short Film

Dir. Gabe Sakoda

Feb 2026

evie

Lead

Free Dir. Kariena Panpaliya

free

Short Experimental Film

Dir. Kariena Panpaliya

Jan 2026

headphone wali ladki

Lead

OFFICIAL SELECTION - TRILLVISION 2026

Kariena Panpaliya Crystal Paradise Dir. Joseph Green

crystal paradise

Short Film

Dir. Joseph Green

Oct 2025

Jade

Lead

The Afterlife is Currently a Waiting Room Dir. North Chen

the afterlife is (currently) a waiting room

Short Film

Dir. North Chen

Oct 2024

cerberus

Lead

Kariena Panpaliya acted, directed, and edited [secret], her submission film for USC's Film & TV Production program, which got her admitted as a transfer

[secret]

Short Film

Dir. Kariena Panpaliya

Feb 2025

Conscience

Lead

Never Gonna Give You Up Parody - Kariena Panpaliya

never gonna give you up (parody)

Music Video Parody

Dir. Kariena Panpaliya

May 2023

blue shirt rick

Lead

Trapped in an Elevator Kariena Panpaliya Monologue

trapped in an elevator

Comedic Monologue

Advanced Theatre Audition (Accepted)

May 2022

Trapped girl

Lead

SUPPORTING ROLES

~

SUPPORTING ROLES ~

I Accidentally Started A Cult Dir. Bryce BensonI Accidentally Started A Cult Dir. Bryce Benson

I accidentally started a cult

Short Film

Dir. Bryce Benson

August 2026

rainbow

Supporting

David & Monica's Emergent Behaviors Dir. Ben Haines

David & Monica's Emergent Behaviors

Short Film

Dir. Benjamin Haines

July 2026

Maya

Supporting

Anemics Anonymous Dir. Katy Reese

Anemics Anonymous

Short Film

Dir. Katy Reese

Nov 2025

vivienne

Supporting

SELF TAPES

~

SELF TAPES ~

Self Tape

self tape

Moody Vampire (cast as Vivienne, Anemics Anonymous)

Oct 2025

vampire

Self Tape - Jealous Wife

self tape

Oct 2025

jealous wife

BACKGROUND ROLES

~

BACKGROUND ROLES ~

The Coming Dir. Rita Pereyra

the coming

USC Master’s Thesis - Short Film

Dir. Rita Pereyra

July 2025

infected mayan

Background

Sweet Farewell Dir Cynthia Nguyen

sweet farewell

Short Film

Dir. Cynthia Nguyen

Nov 2024

customer

Background

Other Credits

  • ImprovSC (improv comedy club) - Vice President

FILM

  • Mannequin - LEAD - Haunted Girl 

  • Vanished (Short Film) - LEAD - Possessed Girl

  • No Time To Live (Long Take Action Sequence) - SUPPORTING - Failed Assassin (& Co-Director/Choreographer/Editor)

  • Teachers On Video Calls- LEAD - Teacher & Student

THEATRE

  • A Lie of the Mind (Play) - LEAD - Sally

  • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Play) - SUPPORTING - Policeman

  • The Odyssey (DTASC Play) - LEAD - Odysseus (& Co-Director)

  • Bright Star (Musical) - Soprano Ensemble

  • Arabian Nights (Play) - SUPPORTING - Wise Sage

  • Unbreakable Timmy Cratchit (Play) - SUPPORTING - Mall Girl