Paola Bernardini is an award-winning filmmaker specializing in directing and producing both film and advertising.
 

Born in Switzerland in 1991, Paola has lived in Tokyo, Rome, New York, Brazil, and Paris. She holds a Baccalaureate in Economics and a BFA in Film from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Fluent in Italian, French, English, and conversational Spanish.
 

Paola’s diverse cultural background shapes her storytelling approach, drawing inspiration from both her personal and global experiences, as well as her deep passion for cinema.
Her travels and experiences have also influenced how she collaborates with production teams, fostering a creative environment that values diversity, adaptability, and mutual respect.
 

Her films have been showcased at prestigious festivals worldwide, including the Cannes Film Festival for her debut short City of Dreams. Most recently, her dark comedy Solitaire earned a prestigious Special Mention at Cortinametraggio. This project, created in collaboration with director Wayland Bell, was a unique achievement — shot entirely in Brazil without a productioncrew, from start to finish. Both films have secured distribution deals with Amazon Prime and WeShort.
 

With aspirations to work in both commercials and feature films, her goal is to create stories that not only entertain but also provoke thought and connect with audiences.
 

A member of New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), Paola received the NYWIFT Award in 2015. Since 2019, she has served as a judge for the SVA Alumni Society Alumni Scholarship Awards, helping to award grants to talented undergraduate filmmakers.