Papaya Films Welcomes Director and Photographer Lidia Estepa

Feb. 05, 2026

Creative production company Papaya Films has signed Madrid-born, Mexico-based director and photographer Lidia Estepa for representation in the UK.

Acclaimed for her mastery of light, colour, texture and composition, Estepa’s commercial work spans collaborations with Palacio de Hierro, American Eagle and Kate Spade, as well as global giants including Bose, Coca-Cola and Pantene. 

With deep roots in the fashion industry, she has also created emotionally resonant worlds for a slew of leading editorial titles including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and L’Officiel alongside luxury fashion brands such as Gucci, Cartier, Chanel and BCBG. 

A graduate of Madrid’s prestigious Centro Internacional de Fotografía y Cine, Estepa spent fifteen years honing her photography practice in New York, Boston, Barcelona and Madrid before moving to Mexico City and expanding into directing.

She explained:

"It developed organically as a need to express myself more deeply. I find directing a more complete way of communicating."

 

Rooted in emotional truth and guided by an intuitive feminine gaze, Estepa’s unique storytelling explores the space between the sacred and the ordinary, the seen and the felt. Her ability to create emotionally resonant worlds, both mystical and human is seen in work such as her short film Khimia for Harper’s Bazaar, which portrays the transformative process of the soul.

Pilar Muro, Global Head of Talent, Papaya Films said:

"From the first time I saw Lidia’s work, I was genuinely moved by the depth of her vision. When we connected, it felt immediate and instinctive. She has a rare sensibility; there is a quiet poetry in the way she sees the world, and it translates beautifully on screen. We feel incredibly fortunate to welcome her to the roster."

 

Lidia Estepa added:

“What immediately drew me to Papaya Films was the care and intention behind their roster, it’s thoughtfully curated, not only in terms of aesthetics but also in sensibility. There is a strong sense of trust, dialogue and respect for the director’s voice. Papaya feels like a natural creative home for me. It’s a place where emotional intelligence and authorship are valued as much as craft and production.”