About Me

Elena Yianni is a London-based, Greek Cypriot Theatre and Film Director who works with bold new writing and overlooked stories by and about underrepresented voices, particularly those connected to communities like her own. She is drawn to stories about people - their identity, culture, politics and the realities of life today - often seeking out narratives that hold a thread of hope. 

Her practice is grounded in care, curiosity and collaboration. She draws inspiration from artists such as Ryan Calais Cameron, Lynette Linton and Jordi M. Carter - directors known for centring powerful writing and performance in their storytelling. She is committed to championing new voices, developing work with emerging creatives, and telling authentic stories that reflect the world as it is and as it could be.

She holds a First-Class BA (Hons) in Applied Theatre and is an alumna of the Young Vic’s Fresh Direction Programme and the Lyric Hammersmith Young Associate Programme. She has also trained through the ALT B Intensive Directors Course with Toby Clarke, been mentored by Kalungi Ssebandeke, and shadowed directors such as Lynette Linton on Shifters.

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Elena is also the Founder of AMDA (Artists’ Movement for Developing Artistry), a multidisciplinary company dedicated to nurturing artists aged 13–30. AMDA provides resources, training, and mentorship to help young creatives bridge the gap between education and the professional industry.