Director/Producer/Writer

 2024 Sundance Directors Lab Fellow

“When I first started at JHU as a freshman, I had no idea that the school even had a Film & Media studies department. As fate would have it, I sat in on an Introduction to Film Production class for fun and it changed the course of my life and career. The faculty were extremely passionate and generous with their time and resources. Not only did I get a great foundation in film theory and history, but I also received tons of hands-on production experience on student films and professional feature films. Learning to shoot on 16mm was such a unique education. With the practical skills I learned in the program, I’ve been able to establish a career as a filmmaker and a producer in advertising in New York City. The program cultivated a tight-knit community of students. My peers from the program are still some of my closest friends and collaborators. In fact, a few of my fellow alums worked with me on my first feature film De Lo Mio (2019). Without the Film & Media Studies program, I would never have found my tribe.”

Diana Peralta is a filmmaker, producer, and writer from New York City. She is a 2024 Sundance Screenwriters and Directors Lab fellow and was featured in Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film”. Her debut feature film, DE LO MIO (Criterion / Janus Films), had its world premiere as the closing night film of BAMcinemaFest in 2019 and was initially distributed by HBO. The film was awarded “Best Narrative Feature” at IndieMemphis Film Festival and “Best Film” at RiverRun International Film Festival. She is currently in development on her second feature film NO LOVE LOST, which has been supported by the Sundance Feature Film Labs, The Gotham Film & Media Institute, and the Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund. She also developed a TV pilot through the Ojalá Ignition Labs. In addition to her filmmaking, Diana currently teaches directing at Columbia University’s Film MFA program, and she has worked as a creative producer in advertising for 9+ years.