About

Jonathan Sarmiento

Director · Screenwriter · Audiovisual Producer

Jonathan Alejandro Sarmiento Martínez is a director, screenwriter and audiovisual producer, graduate in Film Direction from the Escuela Superior de Artes y Espectáculos in Madrid.

He also holds professional training in acting, on-camera performance, stage direction and body expression.

He began his career as an actor in Spanish theater, film and TV — an experience that gave him deep understanding of acting and a sensitive eye for directing people, building characters and telling human stories.

Today he develops and supervises audiovisual productions from conception to final delivery, integrating creativity, narrative, direction, production and post-production.

His way of telling stories

Audiovisual as a tool to move, question and reflect.

“A good production doesn't begin with the camera. It begins when we discover what story needs to be told.”

Creative process

Ten stages, one direction.

01
Listen
02
Research
03
Imagine
04
Write
05
Plan
06
Produce
07
Direct
08
Edit
09
Finalize
010
Deliver & distribute

Jonathan personally directs and supervises every stage to keep the narrative, visual and emotional coherence of the work.

Background & awards

More than two decades directing, producing and telling stories.

From Madrid in 2004 to Guadalajara with Agave Films in 2008, Jonathan Sarmiento's work has traveled festivals in Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Italy, USA and Panama.

2004
Begins his professional career in Madrid, Spain, as an actor in theater, film and television.
2008
Founds Agave Films in Guadalajara, Jalisco — his production house directing and producing film, series and audiovisual content.
2015
Premieres his debut feature Cuando den las tres, with international festival run.
2017
Directs his second feature, Insignis, awarded in festivals in Mexico, USA and Spain.
2021
Directs the documentary series Agua Santa (11 episodes), internationally awarded.
2024
Al final del camino, his third feature film, upcoming release.

Cuando den las tres — Feature, debut (2015)

Official selections:

FICG 30 — Festival Internacional de Cine de Guadalajara: Ibero-American Official Selection and Premio Mezcal Official Selection.
Cinema Avenire 2015, Roma, Italia — International Official Selection.
FICH 2016 — Festival Internacional de Cine de Hermosillo, International Official Selection.

Awards:

FICPA 2015 — Festival Internacional de Cine de Pasto, Colombia: Winner — Best International Film.
Premios Latino Marbella 2016: Best Mexican Social Film and Best Direction.
FICTEQUILA 2017: Best Jalisco Director.

Insignis — Second feature (2017)

Cinema Horrors Film Festival (Los Ángeles, California): Winner — Best Art Direction. Nominated for Best Horror Film, Best Sound Design and Best VFX.
Premios Latino Marbella 2017: Winner — Best Mexican Horror Film and Best Cinematography.
Feratum 2017: Winner — Best VFX.

Agua Santa — Documentary series, 11 episodes (2021)

Panama International Series Festival 2023: Winner — Best Documentary Series.
First-Time Filmmaker Sessions (Lift-Off Global Network): Nominated for Best Documentary Series.

Al final del camino — Feature film · upcoming release

His third feature film, upcoming release.

Where to watch

Cuando den las tres

Insignis

Agua Santa

See portfolio