Joonas Makkonen is a Finnish director and screenwriter. Makkonen's first feature direction was cult comedy-horror Bunny the Killer Thing (2015). His second feature was Finnish language road movie/comedy/drama Johannes ei kulje Jämsän kautta (2023). The film's female lead Saara Elina got nominated for a Jussi Award (the Finnish version of Oscars) in the category "Newcomer actor/actress of the year". Gravediggers is Makkonen's third feature film.
In early 2010s prior to his feature films Makkonen wrote and directed several short films for time-limited international film races, gaining useful insight. Eventually he and his team ended up winning almost everything there was to win in these types of contests. Makkonen has said the film races were an excellent "extra education" for film making in addition to his actual film school degree.
