Joseph Vitali

Biography

Joseph Vitali (b. 2002) is an emerging Filipino filmmaker from Manila, shaped by a working-class upbringing in informal communities. His work focuses on quiet realities of everyday life, turning lived experiences into stories rooted in the streets he grew up in. Themes of safe spaces and social injustice remain central to his works, drawn from firsthand encounters growing up. He continues to develop his voice through observation-driven and socially grounded storytelling. He began filmmaking in 2023, first working as a camera operator before moving into cinematography and eventually directing his own films. He was recently selected as a participant in Batch 30 of the Ricky Lee Scriptwriting Workshop, conducted by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, where he further developed his storytelling practice under the guidance of one of the Philippines’ most respected screenwriters. His debut film, sa likod ng salamin (reflections of the end) 2024, gained recognition in local festival circuits and received multiple awards and nominations in the Philippine independent film scene. His succeeding work, kung paano kakalas (never been there, never.) 2026, has already premiered, continuing his exploration of working-class realities in Metro Manila. He is currently completing his third film, nakalimutan ko na kung paano (2026), which is in post-production.