IRENA JOANNIDES: PRODUCER – DIRECTOR – WRITER
Whether directing films or producing television, radio and stage, Irena has led creative teams since the beginning of her career. She started out as one of Toronto’s leading promoters, producing and directing over 100 live shows. Then she turned to broadcasting; she worked in radio as producer, writer and host of weekly programs and special features. Her television work includes series producing, segment producing, writing and reporting.
She produced, directed and wrote three independent films, which have screened at nearly 100 festivals worldwide including at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, at the BIG Torino Biennale as one of only nine shorts selected from the entire world, and competed in preselection for the Academy Awards. Her films have garnered 15 international prizes including SPECIAL JURY PRIZES and BEST FILM awards. Irena’s films were produced with the participation of the National Film Board of Canada, Canada Council Explorations, Cyprus Cinema Advisory Committee, Toronto Arts Council, Department of Canadian Heritage, Racial Equity Fund.
Irena produced and directed a human-interest documentary series she created for Rogers TV, Canada, NEIGHBOURHOOD STORIES (2010, 6 x 28 min, HD), which won BEST COMMUNITY CABLE PRODUCTION in Canada. She is currently in development of new projects for television and online content (series and singles).
Her writing has been featured in magazines, anthologies and stand-alone volumes (UK, Australia, Cyprus, Greece, etc.). Her artwork has appeared in countless publications.
Specialties: Writing & Development | Directing | Creative Producing | Visual Art & Design
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/irena-joannides/1/631/784
Blog: Irena Writes