Directing

Ramona S. Diaz

Born August 31, 1962 · Phillipines (age 64)

Ramona Diaz is an award-winning Filipino-American documentary filmmaker whose films have screened at Sundance, the Berlinale, Tribeca, the Viennale, IDFA, and many other top-tier film festivals. All of Ramona's feature-length films—Imelda (2004), The Learning (2011), Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey (2012), Motherland (2017) and her latest film A Thousand Cuts (2020) - which chronicles the…

Known For

A Thousand Cuts

A Thousand Cuts · 2020

A Thousand Cuts

MovieDocumentary

Nowhere is the worldwide erosion of democracy, fueled by social media disinformation campaigns, more starkly evident than in the authoritarian regime of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Journalist Maria Ressa places the tools of the free press—and her freedom—on the line in defense of truth and democracy.

And So It Begins

And So It Begins · 2024

And So It Begins

MovieDocumentary

Amidst the traditional pomp and circumstance of Filipino elections, a quirky people’s movement rises to defend the nation against deepening threats to truth and democracy. In a collective act of joy as a form of resistance, hope flickers against the backdrop of increasing autocracy.

Motherland

Motherland · 2017

MovieDocumentary

The planet’s busiest maternity hospital is located in one of its poorest and most populous countries: the Philippines. There, poor women face devastating consequences as their country struggles with reproductive health policy and the politics of conservative Catholic ideologies.

Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey

Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey · 2013

Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey

MovieDocumentaryMusic

Follows the real life rock-n-roll fairy tale story of Filipino Arnel Pineda, who was plucked from You Tube to become the front man for iconic American rock band, Journey, thereby becoming the latest performer to go from the Internet to real life celebrity. Having already overcome a life full of painful obstacles and now saddled with the immense pressures of leading a world renowned band and replacing a legendary singer, the film follows Arnel on this personal journey.

Give Up Tomorrow

Give Up Tomorrow · 2011

Give Up Tomorrow

MovieDocumentaryCrime

When a teenager from a political family in the Philippines is accused of a double murder, the country’s entire judicial system is put to the test after years of alleged corruption.

Imelda

MovieDocumentary

A "beyond the shoes" documentary on the former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos.

DFW Punk

DFW Punk · 2008

MovieDocumentaryMusic

DFW Punk, covering the Dallas/Ft. Worth punk/new wave scene. If you thought Texas in the late ’70s was all about urban cowboys, country tunes and bible-thumping, get ready to be proved dead wrong. 2007, MiniDV.

The Learning

The Learning · 2011

MovieDocumentary

Synopsis One hundred years ago, American teachers established the English-speaking public school system of the Philippines. Now, in a striking turnabout, American schools are recruiting Filipino teachers. The Learning is the story of four Filipina women who reluctantly leave their families and schools to teach in Baltimore. With their increased salaries, they hope to transform their families� lives back in their impoverished country.

Filmography

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A Thousand Cuts

A Thousand Cuts · 2020

A Thousand Cuts

MovieDocumentary

Nowhere is the worldwide erosion of democracy, fueled by social media disinformation campaigns, more starkly evident than in the authoritarian regime of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Journalist Maria Ressa places the tools of the free press—and her freedom—on the line in defense of truth and democracy.

Writer

And So It Begins

And So It Begins · 2024

And So It Begins

MovieDocumentary

Amidst the traditional pomp and circumstance of Filipino elections, a quirky people’s movement rises to defend the nation against deepening threats to truth and democracy. In a collective act of joy as a form of resistance, hope flickers against the backdrop of increasing autocracy.

Director

Motherland

Motherland · 2017

MovieDocumentary

The planet’s busiest maternity hospital is located in one of its poorest and most populous countries: the Philippines. There, poor women face devastating consequences as their country struggles with reproductive health policy and the politics of conservative Catholic ideologies.

Director

Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey

Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey · 2013

Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey

MovieDocumentaryMusic

Follows the real life rock-n-roll fairy tale story of Filipino Arnel Pineda, who was plucked from You Tube to become the front man for iconic American rock band, Journey, thereby becoming the latest performer to go from the Internet to real life celebrity. Having already overcome a life full of painful obstacles and now saddled with the immense pressures of leading a world renowned band and replacing a legendary singer, the film follows Arnel on this personal journey.

Director

Give Up Tomorrow

Give Up Tomorrow · 2011

Give Up Tomorrow

MovieDocumentaryCrime

When a teenager from a political family in the Philippines is accused of a double murder, the country’s entire judicial system is put to the test after years of alleged corruption.

Executive Producer

Imelda

MovieDocumentary

A "beyond the shoes" documentary on the former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos.

Director

DFW Punk

DFW Punk · 2008

MovieDocumentaryMusic

DFW Punk, covering the Dallas/Ft. Worth punk/new wave scene. If you thought Texas in the late ’70s was all about urban cowboys, country tunes and bible-thumping, get ready to be proved dead wrong. 2007, MiniDV.

Editorial Consultant

The Learning

The Learning · 2011

MovieDocumentary

Synopsis One hundred years ago, American teachers established the English-speaking public school system of the Philippines. Now, in a striking turnabout, American schools are recruiting Filipino teachers. The Learning is the story of four Filipina women who reluctantly leave their families and schools to teach in Baltimore. With their increased salaries, they hope to transform their families� lives back in their impoverished country.

Director

Frontline

Frontline · 1983

SeriesDocumentaryNews

Since it began in 1983, Frontline has been airing public-affairs documentaries that explore a wide scope of the complex human experience. Frontline's goal is to extend the impact of the documentary beyond its initial broadcast by serving as a catalyst for change.

Director

Cadillac Desert

Cadillac Desert · 1997

Cadillac Desert

SeriesDocumentary

Documentary on water usage, money, politics, the transformation of nature, and the growth of the American west, shown on PBS as a four-part miniseries.

Associate Producer