Emille Joson born on October 10, 1992 is a Filipino filmmaker known for bold, socially conscious storytelling that centers women, justice, and survival. At 19, she became the youngest nominee at the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival, representing the Asia Pacific Film Institute. Her breakout short film Adivino later gained international attention during the rise of the #MeToo movement.

Since then, she has written and directed films such as Pagari Mohammad Abdullah (2013), My Second Mom (2012), and starred as Carmen in Dangerous Beauty (2020), where her performance was praised in Paris Film Awards. She is also trained in martial arts and firearm choreography, a rarity among LGBTQ+ filmmakers. She has also became part of some of the hit indie films like Sakaling Hindi Makarating (2017), and The Comeback (2015).

Emille previously worked at ABS-CBN, where she honed her storytelling craft in mainstream television and movies before transitioning to independent cinema. Her work has been featured in Asian Journal New York and Los Angeles Edition, Manila Bulletin Philippines, Daily Tribune and screened at international festivals.

Joson comes from a distinguished and multicultural background. On her father’s side, she descends from a Chinese-rooted political family in Nueva Ecija, tracing back to her great-grandfather Eduardo Joson, a World War II guerrilla fighter and founder of the original Alaga Producers Cooperative. Her father, Carlito Javier Joson, worked as an accountant in major Philippine media networks including Solar Entertainment Company, contributing to the rise of international telenovelas in local television.

Her mother, Emma Joson is of Spanish heritage, she is a longtime admirer and close friend of National Artist Nora Aunor, whose influence helped shape Emille’s passion for independent cinema.

Awards and Nominations of Emille Joson:

FAMAS Awards

• 2013 – Winner, Special Kabataan Short Film Award
  for Adivino

Guadalajara International Film Festival

• 2013 – Winner, Best Foreign Short Film – Special Mention
  for My Second Mom

Metro Manila Film Festival

• 2011 – Nominee, Best Student Short Film (MMFF Award)
  for Adivino

PMPC Star Awards for Movies

• 2014 – Nominee, Female Face of the Night
• 2012 – Winner, Special Award: PMPC Souvenir Program Magazine
  for Adivino

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina

• 2012 – Nominee, Best Director – Short Film
  for Adivino

Calgary Horror Con

• 2022 – Winner, Audience Choice – International Short Film
  for Adivino

20 MinMax International Short Film Festival

• 2024 – Nominee, Audience Award – Short Film
  for Adivino
• 2017 – Winner, Audience Award – Best Foreign Short Film
  for My Second Mom

Bram Stoker International Film Festival

• 2014 – Winner, Jury Award – Best Short
  for Adivino

Paris Film Awards

• 2021 – Nominee, Silver Award – Foreign Actress (February Edition)
  for Dangerous Beauty

Aarhus International Film Festival

• 2022 – Winner, Jury Special Award – Best Short Film
  for My Second Mom

80 Screams International Film Festival

• 2024 – Winner, Best Short Film – Feature-Length Fiction Category
  for Adivino

BAFTA’s Children & Young People Awards

• 2024 – Winner, Best Children’s Favorite Short Film
  for My Second Mom