Biografia
Journalist by education and producer by vocation, Joana Domingues is a Portuguese film and television producer founder of the production company Caracol Protagonista, also known as Caracol Studios in 2016ç Since then she has produced fiction TV series, short films, and feature-length films. Starting her career as a journalist, Joana initially ventured into economic journalism before swiftly transitioning to topics related to social and cultural issues. She collaborated with various channels such as RTP, RTP2, RTP INTERNATIONAL, RTP ÁFRICA, SIC, ECONÓMICOTV, among others. In 2016, Joana made her entry into the world of cinema by producing short films for Portuguese director Bruno Gascon, garnering several awards nationally and internationally. The same year marked the founding of Caracol Protagonista, lda, also known as Caracol Studios, where Joana, alongside three partners, successfully independently financed the film "Carga," directed by Bruno Gascon. Focused on the theme of human trafficking, this debut work became one of the most-watched Portuguese films in 2018, with distribution handled by Caracol. The film was sold by the sales agent Wide to over 30 countries, accumulating numerous awards in various territories and participating in numerous festivals. In 2019, Joana was selected for the MatchMe! program at the Locarno Film Festival, being one of three producers representing Portugal in this section that highlights promising producers. Later that year, she produced "Sombra," a film based on the real story of a missing Portuguese child, drawing from conversations between Bruno Gascon and mothers of various children, notably Filomena Teixeira. This feature film was awarded at the Barcelona Film Festival and showcased at festivals such as Mastercard Off Camera, Raindance Film Festival, Shanghai International Festival, among others. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was successfully released in Portugal in 2021, sold to various countries, and considered a contender for Portugal's representative at the 2022 Oscars. "Sombra" was also pre-selected in six categories for the Platino Awards, including Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Film, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, and Platino Award for Education and Values in Cinema. Additionally, it won two Sophia Awards (Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for Ana Moreira and Ana Cristina de Oliveira, respectively) and received a nomination for the Golden Globe for Best Actress. "Sombra" also had a series adaptation that aired on RTP and was sold to HBO. In 2021, Joana Domingues produced "Homeland" and the series "The Outlaws" for RTP, both projects focused on the theme of xenophobia and the rise of extremist movements. Due to the impact of COVID-19 and delays in Portuguese film releases, "Homeland" was released on October 19, 2023, with distribution by NOS Audiovisuais after being sold to several territories by Wide. At the end of 2021, Joana Domingues, at the age of 33, was elected as a Board Member of the European Film Academy (EFA) and appointed as the representative for Portugal and Spain in the EFA, a prestigious position recognizing her significant contributions from 2022/2023. In March 2022, Joana Domingues produced her first co-production with the United Kingdom, titled "A Minha Casinha," directed by Portuguese filmmaker António Sequeira, focusing on the empty nest syndrome. The film was selected for the Austin Film Festival 2023 and won the audience award. After that it was released in Portugal in December 2023 by Pris Audiovisuais. In February 2023, she produced the series "Irreversível" by director Bruno Gascon, addressing relevant themes such as mental health, women's reproductive rights, illegal adoptions, grief, and substance dependence. Irreversible was selected at the Official selection MIPDrama 2024. Announced by MIPTV as one of the 10 most anticipated new dramatic series of the year and one of the candidates to win the "Coup de Coeur" award. The series, featuring female protagonists, is set to premiere on RTP in the first half of 2024.
Joana Domingues is currently preparing new projects as a producer, including the series "The Last Wolf," co-produced with SPi, a project that already won two awards at the 2022 Conecta Fiction (including a development contract with RTVE), and the series "Past Waters," an adaptation of the book by the acclaimed author João Tordo selected to Fiction Mallorca Pitch, along with "Jones," a new project by Bruno Gascon for RTP, scheduled for filming in 2025. On a cinematic level Joana is developing the feature film "FAR" and preparing new projects for the future. She has been one of the 10 producers selected to the prestigious Ace Mentorship program 2024.
