K. Lorrel Manning

K. Lorrel Manning is an award-winning writer, director, actor, and musician. His work explores themes of identity, resilience, and human connection, often pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling.

Manning’s debut feature film, Happy New Year, premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival and was screened at over two dozen festivals worldwide. It received numerous honors, including the Directorial Discovery Award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and Best Screenplay at the Santa Fe International Film Festival. His most recent short film, The Red Shoe, won the prestigious Hearts, Minds & Souls Grand Prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and is currently on a national festival tour. He is currently developing two new film projects: the feature Sheila & The Punk Rock and the short experimental film Maria, both slated for production in 2025–26.

In theatre, Manning is an accomplished and versatile artist. His solo show Lost...Found premiered to critical acclaim at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He also wrote, directed, and starred in the Off-Broadway world premiere of Awake at the Barrow Group Theatre, where he is a resident director and instructor. His directorial work has been widely praised for its emotional resonance and innovative staging. He is currently developing two new theatre projects: the full-length play Pamela and a new solo work titled Hipster: A Love Story.

Manning holds an MFA in Film from Columbia University and a BFA in Drama from the University of Georgia.