Director. Writer. Cameraperson.
Juanita Umaña is a filmmaker from Bogota, Colombia who splits her time between New York and the Bay area. Her films and documentaries explore the personal and subtle moments of family life with a focus on social commentary. Juanita’s short film “Before the World Was Big”, an autobiographical film about her and her mother, was recognized by the Sundance Institute in 2021 which afforded her a spot as a director in the Adobe x Ignite fellowship that year.
Apart from directing shorts and writing her own films, she enjoys working on set. Juanita’s credits include The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, Red One, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and the Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Event Film.
Juanita is in the early stages of development of her debut feature Amor y Medicina.
When she’s not making movies you can find Juanita hiking in Colorado, or somewhere in the Pacific ocean.
Accomplishments
Before the World Was Big (2020) - Director, DOP, Producer:
Sundance Ignite x Adobe 2021 - Official Selection & Fellow
Official Latino Film & Arts Festival 2020 - Official Selection
Georgia Latino Film Festival 2020 - Official Selection
San Francisco Latino Film Festival 2020 - Official Selection
Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival 2020 - Official Selection, Best College Film Finalist
Mujer en Día (2018) - Director, Producer:
Directed by Women: NYC Shorts of All Sorts - Official Selection
University of Central Florida (2016-2020):
Bachelor Fine Arts in Film Production
Minor in Political Science with a focus in International Relations