Manuel Ashman (he/him) is an independent filmmaker who can’t turn a blind eye to the humour he sees in everything and has thus surrendered himself to making comedies. With a background in camera, sound and art department, as well as performing as the lead actor in Paco (2023), his varied experience informs his approach to film writing and directing.
His latest short film Good Morning (2022) won Best Film and Best Script at Fleurieu Film Festival, as well as the Grand Jury Prize at Underexposed.
His previous short, Dirty Dishes (2020), was a collaboration with two other directors and saw success in Canadian and Australian festival circuits.
Manuel’s film and TV writing projects are off-beat, absurdist comedies that focus on eccentric characters, quirky family dynamics and imaginative worlds.
He is not just a filmmaker, he also cares deeply about building communities around filmmaking. In 2019 he co-founded Test Fest Adelaide, a one-night, multi-screen film festival with a music festival vibe.
When he’s not working on films, or starting festivals, he makes music and coleslaw.