Joana Santos
ActressPortugal
Birth : 16 November 1985
Career : 20 years
Age : 39 years
She began her television career by appearing in various series and playing leading roles in several national telenovelas. In theater, she has collaborated with directors such as José Carlos Garcia, Pedro Mexia, Mónica Calle, and Bruno Bravo.
In 2024, she played the lead role of Aurora in the film "On Falling" by Laura Carreira.
PRESENCES AT THE JURY

Biography
Joana Santos is a Portuguese actress born on November 16, 1985, in Lisbon, Portugal. Before embarking on acting, Joana began her career as a model, which made her a well-known figure in the entertainment industry. However, her true love for theater and screen quickly led her to focus on her acting career.
She made her debut on the small screen in 2005, where she quickly gained popularity by starring in Portuguese television series and playing lead characters in several local telenovelas. These roles allowed Joana Santos to make a name for herself in the Portuguese television landscape and cement her reputation as a talented actress.
Alongside her television career, she also broadened her artistic horizons by working in theater. She has collaborated with renowned Portuguese directors, such as José Carlos Garcia, Pedro Mexia, Mónica Calle, and Bruno Bravo, and has performed a wide range of roles on stage. Her theater work is marked by great diversity, allowing her to explore many different character types and styles. This versatility and ability to adapt to various artistic formats have enriched her experience and deepened her skills as an actress.
In 2024, Joana Santos took part in a highly anticipated international film project: "On Falling," directed by Laura Carreira. In this drama, she plays the character of Aurora, a Portuguese immigrant working in a warehouse in Scotland, a role that highlights the challenges of modern workers and the precarious conditions in which they operate. The film was well-received by critics, particularly for the depth and emotion of Joana Santos' performance. This role marked a turning point in her career, allowing her to step outside her comfort zone to address important and timely social issues, while expressing complex emotions through her character.
Joana Santos has also been praised for her ability to convey the subtle nuances of her characters, which has contributed to her growing popularity and recognition in the film industry. Her talent is appreciated both in Portuguese cinema and in international productions, and she continues to captivate audiences with her on-screen presence, whether in film, television, or on stage.
She remains a major figure in the Portuguese artistic scene, always seeking new creative challenges to further her art and her development as an actress.
This versatility in her choice of roles, her commitment to projects that address relevant social issues, and her desire to push her boundaries as an artist make her a respected and highly promising actress on the contemporary scene.