Christopher Manning is a writer, director and creative producer working in fiction and documentary.
He is currently in production with his debut feature film. James Ivory: In Search Of Love And Beauty is a biographical documentary portrait of Oscar® and BAFTA® award-winning director and screenwriter James Ivory (A Room With A View, Maurice, Howards End, The Remains of the Day, and Call Me By Your Name) and features Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, and Wes Anderson.
His drama feature debut is in development with James Watson (BFI Vision Awardee) and Diana Paroiu (EAVE participant and Romanian Gopo Award recipient) attached to produce. The project is supported by Creative Europe Media through their European Development Slate funding scheme.
Born in the United States, Christopher has lived and worked in Europe most of his adult life. He studied History and Film at Columbia University in New York and eventually went on to graduate with an MA in filmmaking from the London Film School. As a student, he began writing and directing with a series of narrative drama shorts.
His debut short "Jamie" began its' unexpected journey as a side project during film school. The film found a devoted following after the BFI Flare London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival and British Council selected it as one of only five films to take part in the FiveFilmsForFreedom campaign, which broadcast the film on YouTube, BFI Player and Vimeo to millions of viewers in March 2017. "Jamie" went on to screen at over 75 festivals worldwide, picked up multiple nominations (LSFF, Concorto, Uppsala) and won the 'Alternative Spirit Award' at Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival. The film has since resonated with a large audience on YouTube.
"Isha," his follow up short, costarred renowned Romanian actress Maia Morgenstern and Lino Facioli (Game of Thrones, Sex Education) alongside newcomer Hora Savescu. "Isha" premiered at the BFI London Film Festival before nominations at Encounters ('Best UK Student Short'), London Short Film Festival ('Best British Short'), Frameline ('Best Short') and Sicilia Queer ('Best Short'), where it won the Audience Award and a Special Mention from the 100 Autori Jury. "Isha" cinematographer Simona Susnea was also nominated for a British Society of Cinematographers' 'Emerging Cinematographer Award' for her work on the film.
Christopher's most recent short "Nowhere" was one of three films commissioned by BFI NETWORK, BFI Flare, and the British Council as part of the More Films scheme. Starring Ophir Award-winning Arab-Israeli actress Mouna Hawa, the film premiered online during the COVID-19 pandemic in celebration of London pride and screened at BFI Flare and Frameline before picking up a 'Best British Short' nomination at the London Short Film Festival. "Nowhere" was also shortlisted for a London Critics Circle Award nomination in 2021.
Christopher attended the Telluride Film Festival's Student Symposium and is a member of Directors UK and BAFTA Connect.
