Biography

Born in Cyprus and from a young age Daina
Papadaki is in love with the cinema. Graduated with
honors Summa Cum Laude and a BA degree in
Visual Communications (Hawaii Pacific University)
and a MFA (Masters in Fine Arts) in Motion Pictures
Production/Directing (University of Miami).  She was employed for 4 semesters in the position of
teaching assistant (for film production classes) in
University of Miami. For the past nine years Daina is based in Cyprus, works at a local production studio (Media Studios) where she professionally directs and produces TV commercials, corporate and music videos. She has directed more than 200 TV commercials, music videos, corporate
documentaries and 13 short films. Her short films “Trapped Inside”, “Nightfall of Eden” & “5 Ways 2 Die” were selected and awarded in numerous International Film Festivals.

Her latest short film “5 Ways 2 Die” (directed and produced by Daina) is selected and competed in more than 150 international film festivals.  Representing Cypriot cinema the film travels to all 5 continents and participates in renown international film festivals like Fantasporto, Woodstock, Cleveland International, Palm Springs Shortsfest, Short Film Festival in Drama, Sarasota Film Festival, Palm Beach Film Festival etc. The film gets very good reviews and is awarded with 48 awards.  Amongst these recognitions Daina gets recognized with the Best Director awards in Cluj International Film Festival, Underground FilmFest Munich and West Chester Film Festival. She was also very recently recognized for her directing work with a Madame Figaro Cyprus Women of the Year 2015 Award in the
creator/artist category.

From 2014 to 2016 Daina was the Secretary of the board of directors of the Directors Guild of Cyprus and she is currently the Treasurer of the board, in an attempt to contribute in the better conditions of filmmaking in Cyprus. She was also part of the film jury for the Young Lions Cyprus competition, and in the pre-selection jury committees of the Jaipur International Film Festival, the Bigger than Texas Film Festival & London Indie Film Festival.