Viera Čákanyová (1980) was born in Bratislava, Slovakia. She graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava in screenwriting and received a BA from the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague in documentary film.

Her school films repeatedly won at the Famufest School Film Festival. Piranha (2007) – Best Film of Famufest 2007, Alda (2009) – Award for Best Director and Editor. Her films were also presented at several international festivals and won a number of awards. Under Underground (2006) – Honorary Diploma and Students Jury Award of the 14th International Film Festival Etiuda & Anima 2007, Krakow, Poland; 100 Days (2009) – The Grand Prix of Early Melons Film Festival 2010, Bratislava, Slovakia; The Grand Prix (Golden Dinosaur) of the 17th International Film Festival Etiuda & Anima 2010, Krakow, Poland; Best Camera, national competition of the 2nd Ostrava Kamera Oko International Cinematographers‘ Film Festival 2010, Ostrava, Czech Republic; Alda (2009) – Regard Neuf (Prize of the canton Vaud) for a first or second film by a filmmaker of the 16th Visions du Réel International Film Festival 2010, Nyon, Switzerland; The Golden Key Award for the best documentary work of a director under the age of 35 of the 27th Kassel Documentary Film and Video Festival 2010, Kassel, Germany. Besides working on her own films, she also works as script editor and editor of independent film projects and makes documentary films for non-profit organizations and television.

Photo: Natalie Richard and MJ Mays, FAMU.