Hey! My name’s Manuel Villarreal and I’m a queer Mexican-American writer-director from Oxnard, California. I started my career as an actor, doing my best Norma Desmond impression before getting my MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute Conservatory.

In 2024, I was selected to be a part of both the mitú x Walmart Filmmaker Mentorship Program and Film Independent’s Project Involve Directing Fellowship. My films have played at festivals like, Slamdance, Hollyshorts and LALIFF.

Using the folklore of my heritage, I hope to rewrite the narrative around Latinos across the USA.