Sean McManus – Co-President
Sean has nearly 20 years of experience building organizations that have come to make a meaningful impact in both the domestic/international film and non-profit worlds.
Recognizing the significance of motion pictures as an artistic form of expression, Sean has dedicated the past thirteen years to empowering artists at Film Independent, a leading non-profit arts organization dedicated to championing artist-driven filmmaking and expanding the audience for independent film. He joined Film Independent (formerly IFP/West) in 1998 as Development Director, was promoted to Senior Director in 2006, and became Interim Executive Director in 2011. Sean oversees 36 full-time staff members and more than 100 contract employees that cover all aspects of Film Independent—management and administration, fund development, marketing and communications, technology, and a robust portfolio of programs, including the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series.
During his tenure, Sean has fostered an inclusive culture that values teamwork, respect, initiative, and innovation. He has developed creative funding opportunities and fellowships, secured grants and sponsorships, negotiated domestic and international licensing deals, and built lasting relationships that have strengthened the organization’s services to filmmakers. In addition, Sean has led the organization’s programmatic diversity initiatives, expanded direct grants to filmmakers, and secured marketing partnerships with print, broadcast, radio, outdoor, and online media. Sean has also played a key role in engaging and galvanizing stakeholders, resulting in the expansion of the organization’s annual budget from approximately $1.6 million to more than $8.5 million, in addition to securing $3.5 million in yearly in-kind contributions.
Outside of his professional efforts at Film Independent, Sean served two terms as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Trevor Project and ten years as a Board member. The Trevor Project is a national non-profit organization determined to end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. As Chairman, Sean led the Board and staff in developing and executing an ambitious three-year strategic plan that resulted in an annual budget increase from $750,000 to $2 million. Under his leadership, the organization was nationally accredited as the expert in its field, received the American Association of Suicidology’s National Crisis Center of Excellence Award, expanded its call centers, in-school programs and awareness campaigns, and established an online youth forum. Most recently, the organization was recognized and honored for its service by the President of the United States. Sean currently serves as the organization’s first Chairman Emeritus.
Sean began his career in the non-profit sector as a development professional, advancing over five years in positions of increasing responsibility at the University of Southern California (USC) and serving for one year as the Director of Major Gifts at the American Film Institute. He is a graduate of the USC Marshall School of Business. Sean grew up in Rochester, New York with longstanding family ties to the Eastman Kodak Company and currently lives with his long-time partner and their beloved Wheaten Terrier, Camden, in the Hollywood Hills.
Contact Sean McManus – smcmanus@filmindependent.org
