Joe Penna

Joe Penna, born Jônatas de Moura Penna on May 29, 1987 in São Paulo, Brazil, has become a multifaceted creative force whose work bridges the worlds of music, internet culture, and cinema. From his early days as a self‑taught guitarist uploading quirky stop‑motion videos to YouTube, he quickly amassed a loyal following, earning the title *MysteryGuitarMan* and becoming the most subscribed channel in Brazil by 2011. His breakthrough video “Guitar: Impossible” showcased not only technical virtuosity but also a distinctive visual storytelling style that would later define his short films, earning spots on the front page of YouTube, CNN, and even a display at the Guggenheim Museum. Penna’s relentless experimentation with animation, puzzle‑like narratives, and interactive formats led to collaborations with major brands such as Coca‑Cola, McDonald’s, and Ford, and secured his place among the top ten new directors at the Cannes Lions Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors’ Showcase in 2009. By the time he launched his first feature‑length effort, the Arctic, he had already proven his ability to translate viral internet aesthetics into cinematic language, gathering critical praise at Tribeca and Cannes while starring Mads Mikkelsen. The film’s later acquisition by Netflix, followed by the success of his sci‑fi thriller Stowaway, cemented his reputation as a director capable of delivering both artistic ambition and commercial appeal.

Beyond directing, Penna has expanded into producing, backing projects such as Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut *Woman of the Hour*, which grossed a $11 million deal at Toronto and achieved a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. His recent involvement in cutting‑edge generative‑AI research, co‑authoring papers on text‑to‑image scoring functions like PickScore, demonstrates a commitment to the technological frontier that mirrors his early YouTube innovations. Living in Los Angeles with his wife, Sarah, and their child, Penna continues to blend music, visual effects, and narrative ingenuity, positioning him as a pioneering figure at the intersection of digital media and mainstream filmmaking.