Born and raised in the American South, DaManuel’s rural upbringing fuels his passion for stories rooted in identity, nature and intergenerational healing. He is a creative producer at Hello Benjamin Films, where he develops bold fiction and nonfiction work supported by major institutions including the Ford Foundation’s JustFilms, Sundance Documentary Fund and Field of Vision. His latest project, Artificial Horizon, was presented at Ji.hlava New Visions Forum (2024) and Big Sky Pitch (2025), and projects he has produced have screened internationally at world-renowned festivals including IFFR, BlackStar and Dokufest. He previously collaborated with the Oscar-winning team behind Everything Everywhere All at Once, programmed shorts for Sundance and continues to consult for major documentary funds — all while tending a thriving garden in Los Angeles.