Born in Sevilla, Spain, into a Spanish-Nicaraguan family. Mercedes Moncada spent half of her life living in both countries. Nine years ago, she moved to Mexico. She is a trained sociologist with experience in journalism and field research. She became acquainted with film production in 1996 and has since worked on several documentaries and narrative films. The Passion of Maria Elena is her directorial debut.

filmography:
• 2003 La pasión de María Elena/The Passion of Maria Elena (Pasijon Marije Elene)
• 2004 Historia de dos hermanos – La Doble Vida de Antonio/A Tale of Two Brothers – The Double Life of Antonio