Bio
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, is a feature documentary built out of CCTV footage that follows a first-date which ends in horrific circumstances. The film has been released by Sky in the UK, and has now secured a theatrical and VOD release in the US as well as in Australia and New Zealand. The film is set to be released in cinemas and online in Spring 2024.
- Contact Amy Sparks
- amy@undernewmgmt.com
Blood Rites
- Director: Helena Coan
- Writer: Polly Stenham
- Producer: Tobi Coventry
- Cast: Mirren Mack, Ella-Rae Smith & Ellis George
BBC Films / Coven Films
Three young girls with a monstrous secret start to unravel in the English Fens. Based on the short story of the same name by Daisy Johnson.
Official Selection: Fantastic Fest, London Short Film Festival, Manchester Film Festival, British Shorts Berlin, Slash Film Festival, ScreamFest Horror Film Festival, Frightfest, North East International Film Festival, Norwich Film Festival.
Winner: Golden Bee for Best Short Film at Manchester International Film Festival.
Nominated: Best Composing at Underwire Film Festival, Méliès d'argent at Slash Film Festival.
Watch the trailer here.
Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story
- Director & Writer: Helena Coan
- Producers: Annabel Wigoder & Nick Taussig
- DOP: Nathalie Pitters
- Editor: Mark Keady
- Composer: Aisling Broweur
Salon Pictures / Amazon Studios
A feature-length documentary that tells the story of Nicola Adams OBE, the double Olympic and WBO female boxing champion, and the first woman to ever represent England in boxing.
Watch the trailer here.
Death and Dog Walking
- Writer & Director: Helena Coan
- Producers: Helena Coan, Gilbert Kyem Jnr & Stanley Morgan
Trash Panda Pictures
A short dark comedy that tells the story of a dog walker who, after a meeting with a particularly difficult client, has an existential crisis.
Official Selection: Aesthetica Short Film Festival
Nominated: Best Screenwriting at Underwire Film Festival
Watch the film here.
Audrey
- Director & Writer: Helena Coan
- Producers: Annabel Wigoder & Nick Taussig
- DOP: Simona Susnea
- Choreographer: Wayne McGregor
- Editor: Mark Keady
- Cast: Alessandra Ferri, Francesca Hawyard & Keira Moore
Salon Pictures/Universal Pictures.
An intimate look at Audrey Hepburn's life, with access to exclusive never-before-seen footage from her family's personal collection. Providing an unprecedented and insightful view on Audrey, her life and her dreams, aspirations and her everlasting legacy.
Watch the trailer here.
Keepsake
- Writer & Director: Helena Coan
- Producer: Ryan Bennett
- Cast: Patsy Ferran
Vero / Headgear Films
Two strangers, brought together by unlikely circumstances, discover each others hidden secrets.
Nominated: Screenwriting Award at Underwire Film Festival
Official Selection: Underwire Film Festival, Manchester Film Festival, British Shorts Berlin, Dumbo Film Festival
Watch the film here.
