Jose Lorenzo “Pepe” Diokno a film director, producer, and screenwriter.

After making short films and acting in stage plays in high school, he pursued a degree in film at the University of the Philippines - College of Mass Communication.

At the age of 22, Jose made his first feature film, Engkwentro. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received the Lion of the Future - Luigi de Laurentiis Award and the Orizzonti Prize. He followed this with two more feature films: the drama Above the Clouds and the experimental film Kapatiran.

Since 2016, Jose has worked with advertising production company UxS. His brand films — including as the Kwentong Jollibee series, Pabaon sa Buhay for P&G, and Kusinaserye for Nestlé — have broken viral video records and received recognition at the Asian Academy Creative Awards, Effie Awards, and New York Festivals International Advertising Awards.

Jose returned to feature filmmaking in 2023 with the historical drama GomBurZa. The film won five Luna Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, as well as seven awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival, including Best Director. The following year, he directed and produced the musical Isang Himala

Jose has participated in international workshops and labs including Berlinale Talents, Torino Script Lab, and Produire Au Sud. He also studied screenwriting under Philippine National Artist Ricky Lee.

He is currently developing several films and series under his company, Kapitol Films.