Joant Úbeda is an award-winning film director. The son of Nicaraguan refugees who fled the country's Sandinista-Contra War of the 1980s, Úbeda was born in San Francisco, California, just weeks before his mother arrived in the sanctuary city. This turn of events granted him dual citizenship for both Nicaragua and the United States.
Úbeda's passion for filmmaking began at a young age. At 10, his parents fueled his creativity by gifting him a small camcorder, which he used to make and edit short action films directly in the camera. He honed his skills further by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Multimedia from Hawaii Pacific University and later a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film Directing from New York University. Currently based in Singapore, Úbeda also works extensively throughout the region.
Úbeda's filmography includes the award-winning short film, "Spirit from the Meadow," a dark comedy exploring the supernatural. The film has been screened at festivals across the United States, Europe, and Asia. He has also directed music videos, including a one-shot piece for the band Spacedays (2015) and a crime drama for musician Intriguant (2016).
In 2018, Úbeda leveraged his filmmaking expertise in the consulting world, joining PwC's Experience Centre as their in-house film director. There, he focused on creating innovative film projects that addressed critical issues within major industries and society as a whole.
Úbeda's feature film debut, "Sementara" (Malay for "transient"), arrived in 2020. This documentary, filmed during Singapore's 50th-anniversary celebrations, captures the philosophies, dreams, and pivotal moments of strangers, ultimately revealing universal truths. The film premiered at the prestigious 31st Singapore International Film Festival, where it garnered the coveted Audience Choice Award.
Beyond filmmaking, Úbeda also applies his creative talents as a brand strategist, specializing in supporting fledgling tech companies in developing their brand identities. His experience spans various sectors, including food and climate technology.
