Manuel Villarreal is an award-winning queer, first-generation Mexican-American writer and director based in Los Angeles. His short film Deep Dish Dimples, created through Film Independent’s Project Involve, premiered at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival. His AFI thesis film, La Bruja, has screened at over 20 festivals across the country and won the Audience Award at the Hola Mexico Film Festival.

In 2024, he directed El Colibri as part of the mitú x Walmart Filmmaking Mentorship Program, which has reached over 30,000 views on YouTube. Through his work, Villarreal weaves Latinx and LGBTQ+ narratives to remind audiences of the enduring power of magic.