Joonas Makkonen is a multifaceted Finnish creative professional, exceling in both the directorial and screenwriting aspects of the film industry.
His initial foray into feature filmmaking was the cult comedy-horror sensation, Bunny the Killer Thing, released in 2015. This was followed by his sophomore effort, the Finnish language road movie/comedy/drama Johannes ei kulje Jämsän kautta, which premiered in 2023.
Notably, the film's lead actress, Saara Elina, garnered a prestigious Jussi Award nomination for "Newcomer actor/actress of the year," further solidifying Makkonen's reputation as a talented director.
Makkonen's forthcoming feature film, Gravediggers, is slated for release in 2024, promising to be an exciting addition to his already impressive filmography.
Prior to his feature films, Makkonen honed his craft by writing and directing several short films for international film races, where he and his team consistently achieved remarkable success, winning almost every available accolade.
Makkonen has emphasized the value of these competitions, describing them as an "extra education" that complemented his formal film school training, providing invaluable insight and expertise that have contributed to his growth as a filmmaker.
