Biography

Jay Manari is a non-binary, award-winning director with a passion for crafting compelling narratives in period dramas, romance, and coming-of-age stories. With a strong foundation in both independent filmmaking and high-end television, Jay has demonstrated exceptional directorial skills, bringing evocative storytelling and artistic vision to every project.  In June 2024, Jay was nominated 'Filmmaker of the Month' by My First Job in Film Company, the largest community of emerging filmmakers in the UK. Jay started out working on independent films and commercials both in Europe (Italy) and in the U.S (California - LA & New York) back in 2014 where he worked with LA producers, such as Ed Polgardy, and, in the last years, in the UK, with series producer Jon Jennings, assisting directors like Ben Taylor (known for popular shows like for ‘Sex Education’) and Amanda Brotchie (known for ‘Gentleman Jack’). In 2018, Jay founded MiraBan, an Arts & Entertainment running film events, online film courses, and networking opportunities, such as the MiraBan UK Film Awards (MUFA), a British, London-based, Film Festival focused on diversity in auteur movies. Member of Film Hub London and winner of the BFI FAN Film Exhibition Fund, MUFA provides a spotlight for under-represented, emerging, and experienced independent, auteur filmmakers.

Credits

Other Credits

American Rouge Short Film View
Description Year
Experimental, Noir short film. Produced in NYC. 2015
Festival Promo Promo View
Description Year
Promo for MiraBan company. Distributed on the MiraBan Youtube channel. 2024
Leonard Cheshire Promo - Strictly Cymru Promo View
Description Year
Directed a series of promos for Leonard Cheshire Youtube Channel 2019
La Mia Italia Short Film View
Description Year
"La Mia Italia" is a war drama/romance short fiction set during the Second World War and based on the melange of two true stories. Received over 15 festival awards and nominations, among which the Best Drama Director at the London Director Awards. 2023
Petite Blanche Short Film View
Description Year
Produced in NYC. Nominated for Best Director Award at Oniros Film Awards and Gold Film Awards 2017
My Big Mouth Vagina LGBTQ Short Film View
Description Year
Short Film Nominated by the London Lesbian Film Festival, the longest-running lesbian film festival in North America and the only one of its kind in Canada. 2014
Atonement LGBTQ+ Short Film View
Description Year
Short Film Nominated by the Los Angeles Cinefest and the Sydney Transgender International Film Festival. 2015

Non-Directorial Credits

Assistant Editor View
Description
Unforgotten (ITV) - Series 5
Assistant Editor View
Description
What It Feels Like For A Girl (BBC 3) - S1
Production Assistant View
Description
Sex Education (Netflix) - Series 3
Producer's Assistant View
Description
Renegade Nell (Disney Plus) - S1
Director's Assistant View
Description
Renegade Nell (Disney Plus) - S1

Awards

Skills

  • Arts
  • Self-shooting
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