Biography

José Camargo is an emerging director, screenwriter and actor born in Bogotá, Colombia. He currently holds dual Colombian and Canadian citizenship.

​

Before starting his filmmaking journey, he completed a Bachelor of Arts at McGill University, where he majored in philosophy and psychology. His honours thesis, entitled “Existential Anxiety and its Implications for Psychotherapy and Psychiatry” explored the works of renowned Viennese psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl, in particular his therapeutic approach, which aims to support people in their search for a personal life meaning. Afterwards, he worked for the Canadian NGO Cuso International, first as a psychosocial research advisor and then as a gender and social inclusion advisor, positions that allowed him to perform humanitarian work in his country of origin. 

​

Wanting to channel his knowledge of philosophy and psychology into film, his lifelong passion, he enrolled in the Master’s in Film Directing program at the Vienna Film Academy, where he was mentored by acclaimed filmmakers Michael Haneke, Jessica Hausner, Barbara Albert and Markus Schleinzer. His medium-length film “Interchange”, which was made in the framework of his studies, was acquired by YAQ Distribución, won the audience award at the New York State International Film Festival and was the winner of the Sildel Award for Best Film at MENTAL - Festival of Mental Health, Cinema, Arts and Information in Portugal. He graduated in 2024 and received the award of honour of the Academy. 
​​
His short film "Tras la Niebla", which he made as his master’s thesis film, is undergoing visual effects and sound enhancements and is expected to begin distribution at the end of 2025. 

​

"Solitude Divine", his next project on queer and trans resilience, is currently undergoing production. 

​

He is currently based in Toronto, Canada.