Helena Coan

Helena Coan is a British director and writer, who works in both narrative and documentary. Her latest narrative work is the short horror film BLOOD RITES, produced by BBC Films. BLOOD RITES has screened at prestigious genre film festivals across the world including Fantastic Fest, Beyond Fest and Fright Fest, as well as numerous BAFTA and BIFA-recognised festivals in the UK. It was nominated for the European Méliès d'argent award and won the Golden Bee for Best Short Film at Manchester Film Festival. BLOOD RITES is now being developed into a feature film, which Helena will direct.

Before this, Helena wrote and directed KEEPSAKE, starring Olivier Award winner Patsy Ferran. KEEPSAKE premiered at BAFTA-recognised Underwire Film Festival, where Helena was nominated for a Screenwriting Award, before going on to play at several festivals across the UK, Europe and the US. ​ Helena also wrote, directed and produced a short dark comedy, DEATH AND DOG WALKING, which premiered at BAFTA and BIFA recognised Aesthetica Film Festival. 

Helena is also known for her documentary work. ​In November 2020, her feature documentary AUDREY, an intimate look at Audrey Hepburn's life, was released to critical acclaim across the world. It was produced by Salon Pictures and distributed worldwide by Universal Pictures. The film secured a theatrical release and was acquired by Netflix in the US, where it became one of the Top 10 most watched films on the platform in new releases.

Helena then made Amazon Original LIONESS which tells the story of boxer Nicola Adams, the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing, and the unjust world of women's boxing. It was released in November 2021 in the UK and US to a positive reception, and off the back of this, Helena is now developing a narrative feature film based on Nicola Adams' life.

Helena’s latest project, THE LIE (2024), is a feature documentary built out of CCTV footage about the murder of Grace Millane and the subsequent trial. The film was released by Sky in the UK and secured a theatrical and VOD release in the US. It was then released in cinemas in New Zealand, before being picked up by Netflix in New Zealand and Australia, where it became the No 1 most watched film on the platform, a first for a NZ made film. The film received praise from critics and audiences across the world for its sensitivity and unflinching approach.

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