FILMMAKER - JOSEPH GRANDA
Joseph Granda is an award-winning filmmaker with over 30 years of experience bringing
story-driven independent films from concept to screen.
As the founder of Defenestration Films, he is known for pairing creative vision with disciplined production strategy — building films that resonate artistically while remaining grounded in commercial reality. Granda wrote, directed, produced, and starred in The Sasqualogist, a multi–Best Picture festival winner that helped establish his voice in modern independent cinema. His earlier feature, The Healing Garden, marked a successful debut as a writer-director and signaled his instinct for emotionally anchored storytelling.
Having spent decades packaging projects, pitching financiers, and leading productions, Granda is regarded as a filmmaker who understands not only how to imagine films — but how to get them made.
JOSEPH GRANDA
Award-Winning Filmmaker | Writer | Director | Producer | Actor
Founder & CEO — Defenestration Films
Colorado
PROFILE
Award-winning filmmaker with a multifaceted career spanning film, stage, and television. Experienced
as a writer, director, producer, and actor with numerous films produced, screenplays optioned, and
projects brought to market. Known for building story-driven independent films that balance emotional
resonance with commercial awareness. Trained in the Meisner technique in New York City, with
professional experience across both independent and commercial production environments.
SELECTED DIRECTING & WRITING CREDITS
THE SASQUALOGIST — Feature Film (2024)
Writer • Director • Producer • Actor
Winner, Best Film — Winter Park Film Festival; Winner, Palmer d’Or Award — MidWest WeirdFest;
Winner, Best Comedy Feature — NC Film Festival. Successfully packaged for release following festival
recognition.
THE HEALING GARDEN — Feature Film (2021)
Writer • Director — Critically acclaimed and financially successful debut as writer-director.
INTO THE FLATIRONS — Feature Screenplay — Kairos Prize Semi-Finalist; Currently in
development.
THE SUPER AWESOME — Feature Screenplay — In pre-production with Edge of 27 Productions.
THE MARRIAGE OF ADAM AND EVE — Screenplay — Noted for thematic scale comparable to
biblical epics.
RIDE SALLY RIDE — Screen Adaptation — Adapted from the novel by Douglas Wilson.
FILM DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCING
Head of Film Development 2021 2024 — Merkel Media
Oversaw and produced multiple projects including The Shape of Shadows; Sasquatch and the Missing
Man; Project X (post-production).
The Big Empty — Collaboration with Galaxy Digital and director William Foxley exploring the cultural
impact of Bitcoin mining.
TELEVISION & DIGITAL
Breaking Laws — Loor.tv
Host and creator of a travel series examining unusual laws across America through a cultural and
faith-centered lens.
Miracle Hunter — Television project currently in development.
ACTING
Shared the screen with Mira Sorvino (Amongst Friends), Keanu Reeves (A Walk in the Clouds), Eric
Roberts, Theresa Russell, and James Marsden (HBO’s Public Enemies), and appeared alongside
Snoop Dogg and LL Cool J in Caught Up. Recently appeared in The PK’s for Loor.tv.STAGE
Originated the role of Tippy in Broadway’s Club House Madness and portrayed Tchaikovsky in the
off-Broadway production of the composer’s life, praised by The New York Times.
SCREENWRITING
Credits include Smells Like School Spirit; Winning at Waterloo; White Noise — purchased by Saleem
Films. Multiple scripts optioned and developed for production.
EARLY INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Personal assistant to director Abel Ferrara on King of New York and Bad Lieutenant. Collaborated on
productions involving Christopher Walken, Harvey Keitel, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Val Kilmer.
Extensive commercial production background as Second Assistant Director and First AD, including
work with Tony Scott.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Professional acting training in New York City under William Alderson (Meisner Technique).
LEADERSHIP
Founder & CEO — Defenestration Films
Currently developing multiple feature projects including Gen-Z Werwolf and The Unicorn of St. Ignatius
High.
PERSONAL
Based in Colorado with his wife and daughter. Continues to develop film projects while expanding
Defenestration Films’ production slate. He is a follower of Christ.
