biography
Eva Justine Torkkola is a writer, director and producer based in Melbourne, Australia.
In 2019 Eva graduated from the Masters of Film and Television (Directing - Narrative) at the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne. In her final year of study she was selected as one of twenty emerging filmmakers from around the world to attend the International Filmmaking Academy in Italy with masterclass teacher Jane Campion and featuring Francis Ford Coppola. That year eva was also chosen for the international Looking China filmmaking program and was invited to Xi’an to make a documentary in the Qin mountains.
In 2020 Eva was a Leading Lights recipient, chosen as one of forty emerging Australian documentary filmmakers, at the Australian International Documentary Conference. Eva was also nominated for an Australian Directors' Guild award for ‘Best Direction in a Student Film’ and an Australian Writers' Guild award for ‘Best Short Film’ for her graduate drama short SOMETHING HAS DIED IN THE FOREST (ЩОСЬ В ЛIСI ЗДОХЛО).
In 2021 Eva was one of fourteen participants for the Cinespace Package to Pitch program, an Australian masterclass series on pitching for television. Eva was also shortlisted for the Australian Writers’ Guild Monte Miller awards with her short script Viktor.
In 2022 Eva was selected by VICScreen as one of three Victorian filmmakers for the Melbourne International Film Festival Accelerator Lab. She was also announced to be on the winning team as director for the AACTA Pitch: Focus national short film competition.
She has made over 8 short films and is currently developing several projects across her slate including two feature films and a television series. Prior to film, eva was an actor primarily in theatre and has a bachelor of arts (acting). she currently works as an Acting Tutor for the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA Open) in Melbourne and is a sessional marker for film at the University of Melbourne.
“In a bold attempt to blend present and past, memory and imagination, the filmmaker’s thoughtful use of imagery and experimental treatment of time and space represent an ambitious directorial approach that dares to push the boundaries in this complex narrative about the perils of living in regional areas.”
DIRECTor & WRITer REEL
RECENT WORK
DEAD LESBIANS (2023)
Directed by Eva Justine Torkkola, written and produced by Jaq Avery. GPOY Productions.
Short Film.
As she readies for a first date, Isabelle is pestered by the apparition of Dorothy, a chain-smoking, well-spoken, deceased author of 1950's lesbian pulp.
SCREENING: Dead Lesbians is playing at the National Film and Sound Archive, Canberra on Friday, Apr 5th 2024, 6.30 pm. Link here.
LADY PRIEST (2023)
Directed by Eva Justine Torkkola, written and produced by Natalia Bornay and Emily Davis. Dos Hermanas Productions.
Web Series Pilot. Comedy.
A Lebanese marriage celebrant attends her chaotic family lunch full of unexpected events… but just how bad can this Sunday lunch be?
WINNER: Lady Priest Wins Best Pilot at Melbourne Webfest 2023.
SCORPIO (2021)
Directed by Eva Justine Torkkola, produced and directed by Allanah Avalon and Jack Dixon-Gunn, and written by Allanah Avalon and Lucas Olscamp.
Proof of Concept Short for Feature Film.
A collision of Orthodox Russians, lesbians, and sex workers. Scorpio traces one young woman’s experience dealing with family expectation, and the lies one must keep in order to sustain a double life.
SELECTED: Scorpio feature film was one of eight projects selected for VICScreen’s Originate Program Stage Two 2021.
FILM & Television
my CURRENT Projects
SOMETHING HAS DIED IN THE FOREST (ЩОСЬ В ЛIСI ЗДОХЛО)
LONG FORM
Written (and to be directed) by Eva Justine Torkkola.
A long-format work in development based on Eva’s short film of the same name. First Draft stage.
ANATOMY OF A LIFE
DOCUMENTARY
Written/directed by Eva Justine Torkkola.
Filming in Greece and Australia was completed in 2024. Currently in post-production.
Viktor
SHORT FILM
Written (and to be directed) by Eva Justine Torkkola.
The script was shortlisted for the 2020 National Australian Writers’ Guild Monte Miller Awards.
LOCKJAW
FEATURE FILM
Written (and to be directed) by Eva Justine Torkkola.
Feature film currently in development. First Draft stage.
my previous films
SOMETHING HAS DIED IN THE FOREST (ЩОСЬ В ЛIСI ЗДОХЛО)
Writer, director, EP and editor Eva Justine Torkkola. Produced by Eva Justine Torkkola, CJ Welsh and Alice Chaston.
Proof of Concept Short Drama (2020).
A Ukrainian migrant in Australia post WW2 struggles to come to terms with her pregnancy as she relives the trauma of losing her first child.
Nominated for an Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) award for ‘Best Short Film’ and Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG) award for ‘Best Direction in a Student Film’ in 2020.
TETHER
Writer, director, producer and editor Eva Justine Torkkola. Supervising producer Adrian Holmes.
Short Drama (2018).
What binds people – memories, time or the ties of family and blood?
An isolated woman constantly tries to control the narrative of her past memories when her estranged father suddenly passes away. Grappling with her hopes of what could have been, she struggles under the weight of the loss of someone unknown.
BOUND
Writer, director, producer and editor Eva Justine Torkkola.
Short Drama (2021).
Two strangers on a train; as a connection is made between them, memories slowly merge with fabrication. A film about desire, loss and the narratives we create in our minds.
Filmed under Jane Campion as a student of the 2019 International Filmmaking Academy, Italy.
THEORY OF EVALUTION
Writer, director, producer and editor Eva Justine Torkkola. Supervising producer Adrian Holmes.
Short Comedy (2018).
This is a film by EVA JUSTINE TORKKOLA, starring EVA JUSTINE TORKKOLA, written by EVA JUSTINE TORKKOLA, directed by EVA JUSTINE TORKKOLA, costumes by EVA JUSTINE TORKKOLA, makeup by EVA JUSTINE TORKKOLA…
A mockumentary about the perils of being an actor and trying to stand out in the industry.
ARTERY (脉)
Writer, director, producer and editor Eva Justine Torkkola. Co-produced by Shao Yinan.
Short Documentary (2019).
The roads in the Qin Mountains spread like veins, the mountain heaves like a body. And the heart? Found in the people living there.
Made when selected as an International Filmmaker of the 2019 Looking China Filmmaking Project, Xian.
MEDIA
CONTACT
Eva Justine Torkkola
eva.just.torks@gmail.com
AUS: +61 466 822 557
Drama / comedy / AUS
Freelance
