Derek Manansala

Biography

DEREK MANANSALA is a Filipino-American genre writer and filmmaker. He grew up in New Jersey where he met his wife and creative partner, Grace Hanna. They’ve made short films like LOLA and HALCYON DAYS, receiving awards from the DGA, Television Academy, and Imagine Entertainment, and screening at festivals including AFI Fest, Fantasia, and FilmQuest.

Derek completed the improv and sketch programs at UCB, wrote on The Pack Theater’s house sketch teams, and performed improv in several condemned NYC basements. He dabbles in stand up and would love to do his tight 43 seconds on your next show.

Derek holds a BS in Civil Engineering and was a Walt Disney Imagineer before earning an MFA in Film & TV Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. He is based in Los Angeles.