Joana Caiano (Lisbon, 2000) is a young Portuguese director. She completed her degree in Film at Arts University Bournemouth in England (2022). Since then, Joana has worked on narrative projects, music videos, and commercials between Lisbon and London. 

Her first short film, "42", travelled the world, earning awards and official selections at festivals such as the Quito International Film Festival, Four River Film Festival, Porto Femme, among others. Later this year (2024), the short film Joana directed "Lives at Steak" will begin its international distribution circuit. "Lives at Steak" was written by the award-winning Julia Grogan, winner of the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe and the 2020 ETPEP Award. Lastly, Joana's feature documentary "A Cabeça não é um Sítio Seguro" will premiere in 2025. It has been produced by Sopro Filmes (2023) and supported by ICA and RTP. 

With an inexorable passion for comedy, Joana loves playing with different characters' traits and placing them in uncomfortable situations. She is interested in exploring social, economic or political dilemmas in her films.

Awards:
Festival International de Cine de Quito; NAHEMI Extraordinary Times - Canon Competition; Sunderland Shorts Film Festival; Four River Film Festival; Zoom.13 Festival; Ufa Youth Short Film Festival; The BeBop Channel Dance and Theatre Film Festival; GaztefilmFest; NanoCon International Film Festival; Script Shop; Under the Radar.