Mariana is a Croatian-Canadian writer and director currently based in Berlin. After studying Film and Television Production at Sheridan College in Ontario, Canada, she explored her own visual style directing music videos and as a set decorator in commercials and independent films, before deciding to fully focus on writing and directing. She has since written and directed both short and feature length films. Her first feature film, CHASING PAPER BIRDS, is a personal and intimate portrait of 30-somethings in Berlin. The underlying themes and storylines were infused by her experiences working amidst the Toronto and Berlin nightlife scenes and co-running an after hour club. Mariana is a recent alumna of the prestigious writer’s room training program SERIAL EYES at the DFFB in Berlin.
Her childhood revolved around double feature movie nights starting with Bambi and ending with monsters of the 80s like Freddy and Jason. Having grown up watching and loving horror films, and due to her Balkan roots, immersed in folk tales of myth and superstition has surely played a role in her passion for exploring deep dark human fears in her stories. Currently Mariana is developing exciting new films and series concepts, with a focus on genres such as thriller, mystery, horror and comedy-horror.