Joy Aquino is a 31-year-old director and cinematographer from the Philippines – working in film, television, commercials, and branded content.
“Whatever happens to you belongs to you. Make it yours. Feed it to yourself even if it feels impossible to swallow. Let it nurture you, because it will.”
― C. Strayed
Joy graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Audio-Visual Communication. In 2011, her thesis film “Nilda” was nominated for Best Short Film during the 2011 Gawad Urian Awards – it is considered the most prestigious film awards in the country.
She started tinkering around with her medium as a kid with a hi8—shooting home videos and simple documentaries. Her insistent curiosity about the vast possibilities of interrelation between entities and layers has lead her from one thing to another. As she transgresses spaces in search for slices of ideas that may or may not fulfill her cravings, her passion for the process itself spikes every nerve in her body and gives her a fresh dosage of drive to continue creating.
Awards & Exhibitions
2019 27th Golden Dove Awards Best TV Station Promotional Material
“Get It On 5” Station ID – Winner
2017 MYX Music Awards (Best Music Video, Favorite Urban Video)
ABRA and KZ Tandingan – “Bolang Kristal” Music Video – Official Selection
2015 MYX Music Awards (Favorite Music Video)
ABRA and Julie Anne San Jose – “Dedma” Music Video – Official Selection
2013 International Film Festival Manhattan in New York
“Nilda” – Official Selection
2013 Helsinki Cine Asia Festival in Finland
“Nilda” – Exhibition
2013 Tampere Film Festival in Finland
“Nilda” – Exhibition
2012 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival
“Isang Litrong Liwanag” Full-length Documentary Film – Special Screening
2012 Philippine Center in New York
“Isang Litrong Liwanag” Full-length Documentary Film – Special Screening
2011 Rencontres Henri Langlois International Film Schools Festival in Poitiers, France
“Nilda” – Official Selection
2011 Gawad Urian Best Short Film
“Nilda” – Nomination
2011 International Women’s Film Festival
“Nilda” – Exhibition
2011 Florida Experimental Film Festival
“Nilda” – Official Selection
2010 Cinemanila International Film Festival
“Nilda” – Best Short Film Winner
2010 Kodak Film School Competition
“Nilda” – National Winner
2010 University of the Philippines Film Institute
“Nilda” – Best Thesis Experimental Film
Joy Aquino 