Derek Manansala is a writer and filmmaker based in LA.

He co-wrote and executive produced LOLA, a sci-fi short awarded by the DGA, Television Academy, and Imagine Entertainment, with selections including Fantasia Film Festival, AFI Fest, and SeriesFest. It streamed on Air Canada and Shudder in 2025.

Derek wrote, produced, and edited HALCYON DAYS, a surreal family dramedy starring an ensemble of Filipino-American comedy talent including Chris Renfro, Rachel Marsh, and Mike Cabellon, premiering at festivals in 2026.

As a writing team, Derek and Grace Hanna recently co-wrote THEN AGAIN, a horror-thriller feature on The Black List’s Mystery & Suspense Top List.

Derek completed the improv & sketch programs at the Upright Citizens Brigade, wrote on The Pack Theater’s house sketch teams, and performs stand-up in condemned LA basements. He received a BS in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University and was a Walt Disney Imagineer before earning an MFA in Film & TV Production from USC. He’s proud to say he’s been getting his greens in recently.