Writer/Director Joel Juárez is known for his distinctive style that merges emotional depth with cinematic innovation. With a diverse portfolio that includes commercial work for global brands like Ford, Nike, Black Earth, and Budweiser, Joel’s storytelling transcends cultural and language barriers, demonstrating his skill in non-verbal communication and understanding of human emotion. A world traveler, he draws inspiration from his experiences, using his deep expertise in media and technology to craft narratives that resonate universally.

Joel’s career is defined by his passion for pushing the boundaries of storytelling. His debut feature film, Generation Last, a gripping sci-fi global warming thriller, showcases his ability to merge timely social issues with compelling cinematic experiences. Currently, he is developing two highly anticipated Mexico/US feature films: a Mexican Kaiju epic “The Lords of the Earth”and an international heist drama “Sacred Art Thieves“.

An MFA graduate from the prestigious UCLA School of Film & TV, Joel has been recognized as an “Auteur-to-watch” by LA Magazine, his award-winning dark comedy Pelea de Gallos (Showtime) earned him his second Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award, while his poetic film Sin Azul (PBS) garnered his first DGA Award and the coveted UCLA Spotlight Award. His documentary Eating Insects (Showtime), a stunning exploration of Mexico’s ancestral culinary traditions, further solidifies his reputation as a versatile and thoughtful filmmaker.

Joel’s talent has earned him mentorship opportunities with the DGA Latino Mentorship Program, where he shadowed directors Felix Alcala, Ed Ornelas, Rick Telles, and Jesus Treviño on major TV shows such as Prison Break, Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, and Southland. He was also invited to the Sundance Film Festival as part of Kodak’s Emerging Filmmakers Program. Joel consistently creates films that bridge cultures.  He is currently developing immersive walk through experiences, and AR and VR experiences.