Reina Bonta

Bio

Reina Bonta is a queer Filipina American award-winning director and professional football player. Her most recent short documentary, Maybe It’s Just the Rain, screened at Cannes Marché Du Film, was selected to DOC NYC’s Academy Award Short List, and examines her experience representing the diasporic Philippines team at their FIFA World Cup debut. Reina was an Archival Producer for Judy Blume Forever (World Premiere: Sundance 2023), was an A-DOC 2025 Impact Producing Fellow, and her directorial debut, LAHI, secured national streaming distribution. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Studies with distinction from Yale University. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Reina has had her photography featured in world-renowned publications including Forbes Magazine, worked as a Brand Strategist for Nike, and her writing has been published by ESPN. She is also a professional football player who has represented the storied Brazilian club Santos FC, as well as her national team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.