Deanna Orlando is an award-winning actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker based in London, UK. 

Born and raised in Toronto with Italian roots, she has been performing from a young age and grew up surrounded by a deep love of cinema — films taught her how to feel things fully, and performing gave her the language to express them.

Deanna began performing in theatre before going on to study Screen Acting & Filmmaking at Met Film School in Ealing Studios. This gave her an intimate understanding of the filmmaking process and sparked her passion for writing, expanding her practice beyond acting and into story creation. She gained experience in screen acting through short filmmaking, immersive performance and musical theatre, shaping her into a collaborative, instinct-led creative. 

Deanna is drawn to stories that live in the emotional in-between - the messy space between longing, connection and becoming. In 2024, she wrote and starred in the short film Last Spark, winning Best Acting at the London 48 Hour Film Festival, with the film going on to win Best Film for London and compete internationally. 

She has worked alongside both established and up-and-coming filmmakers, actors, choreographers and creatives in various roles, bringing heart, curiosity and dedication to every project. She continues to train with practitioners affiliated with the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, and Netflix.

Aside from performing, writing and producing her own work, Deanna is passionate about helping others tell their stories, leading her to script-editing, creative direction for photoshoots, and, in 2026, a venture into directing narrative commercial work.

Above all, Deanna’s goal is to tell stories that feel human, honest and alive. Stories that stay with you, that see you and don’t shy away from the wonderful complexity of identity, healing and growing up.