Pietra is a highly acclaimed and innovative filmmaker, renowned for her unique, intimate, and beautifully cinematic works that transport audiences to another world. With a passion that borders on obsession, she has taken risks in her filmmaking, resulting in a body of work that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
Born and raised in a family that encouraged curiosity and exploration, Pietra's early life was marked by a sense of wonder and appreciation for the diversity of cultures and stories. Her parents took her on a journey from Papua New Guinea to Portugal, exposing her to the richness and complexity of human experience.
Pietra's approach to filmmaking is characterized by a considered quietness, a non-judgmental attitude that allows her subjects to tell their stories in their own words. She treasures the honesty and trust that people grant her, capturing and documenting pivotal moments in their lives with sensitivity and nuance.
Throughout her career, Pietra has received support from prestigious organizations such as the Sundance Institute, Gucci Tribeca Fund, BritDoc, and the New Zealand Film Commission. She has also been a three-time Sundance Institute alum, attending the Creative Producing Labs twice and the Edit and Documentary Lab.
Pietra's films have premiered at top-tier festivals around the world, including the Tribeca Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and Sundance Film Festival. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including Best Documentary at the Warsaw Film Festival, Best Editing at the Sundance Film Festival World Cinema, and Best Documentary Director at the Qantas Film and Television Awards.
Pietra's unique filmmaking style has been praised by critics, with Variety Magazine describing her work as "a poetic fusion of art, politics, and domestic drama." Her films are not only visually stunning but also thought-provoking, challenging audiences to consider the complexities of the human experience.
Despite not attending film school, Pietra has developed a distinctive voice and style, drawing inspiration from her favorite artists, including Basquiat. Her dedication to her craft is evident in every frame of her films, which continue to captivate and inspire audiences around the world.