Biography

Born in 1966, Achero Mañas first followed in the steps of his mother, actress Paloma Lorena (who played in two of his films), but he soon turned from thespian to film director. He made three shorts before meeting with success - both public and critical - with El bola (2000), the sensitive portrait of a pair of big city kids, reminiscent of François Truffaut's Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959). His second feature Noviembre (2003) also garnered least five awards but he was less successful with Blackwhite (2004). After five years in the wilderness, Mañas is making a come back with Todo lo que tú quieras (2010).

- IMDb mini biography by: Guy Bellinger

Achero Mañas Amyach, son of actress Paloma Lorena and playwright Alfredo Mañas, was born in Madrid where he spent his childhood and teenage years in the suburb of Carabanchel surrounded by theater, the arts, and a literary environment that profoundly influenced his life and caracter. He spent three years studying painting at the "Escuela de Artes y Oficios" in Madrid. During that time, he took part in many theatrical endeavors and acted in several films. In 1984, his mother was awarded a scholarship that enabled his family to move to New York City. During that time, he studied theater at the Real Stage School, learning from many teachers, but he was especially inspired by Patrick Brackford and Madeleine Sherwood, who helped develop his understanding of acting and actor's direction. When he returned to Madrid, he took up acting as full-time, working in theater, TV, and cinema under the tutelage of such noted directors as Adolfo Aristaráin, Carlos Saura, Ridley Scott, Manolo Gutiérrez Aragón, Jorge Grau, and José Luis Cuerda. After the birth of his daughter, Laura, he left acting to pursue writing and directing, which he found much more satisfying. He wrote and directed his first short film, "Metro" (Subway), in the Barcelona in 1995. The film was made possible with the assistance of Bausan Films, a production company. His efforts won him the Luis Buñuel Prize for Cinematography and the Best Short Film Award at the Montecatini Terme International Short Film Festival, among many others. In 1996, he wrote, produced, and directed his second short film, "Cazadores" (Hunters), for which he also garnered several important distinctions, culminating with the Goya Award for Best Short Film that year. In 1997, he directed his third and final short, "Paraísos Artificiales" (Artificial Paradises), which he again wrote, produced, and directed. He was recognized with numerous domestic and international accolades. In 1997, fresh from his string of successes, he wrote "El Bola" (Pellet), from which he would direct his first feature film. Soon after that, he met producer José Antonio Félez, who, at the time, was in the process of developing his own production company, Tesela. José Antonio showed great interest in the script and, after reaching an agreement regarding its finalized version, the film's production was launched. Still, Achero managed to negotiate and secure the creative prerogatives he felt would be essential to the success of his feature directorial debut: the number of weeks of shooting, absolute freedom in choosing the film's actors, a month and a half of rehearsals, and had the last word in the film's final editorial version. "El Bola" was released in 2001 to warm receptions from both critics and audiences. It won many awards nationally and internationally, including four Goya Awards in the Best Film of the year, Best Original Screenplay, Best Novel Actor and Best Novel Director categories. The following year, he received multiple nominations from the European Academy, winning the Fassbinder Prize for Best Achievement in Direction. In 2002, with the collaboration of his brother, Federico Mañas, he wrote his second feature film, "Noviembre" (November), about an independent theater group. Again, the reception - from Spain and abroad - was overwhelming. Notable honors included the Fipresci Award at the International Film Festival in Toronto, the Youth Award at the International Film Festival in San Sebastián, and the Luis Buñuel Cinematography Award. A year later, he directed a documentary about the peace process in Northern Ireland for Canal Plus. He researched and developed the project over the coarse of the year, interviewing such pivotal players in the ongoing conflict as Sinn Fein's leader, Gerry Adams and Nobel Peace Prize winners John Hume and David Trimble. His recent and awaited come back, in 2009, with "Todo lo que Tú Quieras" (Anything You Want) has been a tremendous success of public and critic. The film has been selected in many festivals. Toronto International Film Festival, Palms Spring Festival, Roma Independent Film Festival, Jeonju International Film Festival among others. At this moment is developing his next feature film in Los Angeles (California) title "Brooklyn Bird" He will also be the head manager of Microtheater project in USA enjoyed success in the present year in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Microtheater project is a unique and modern concept of theater that has been already opened in many cities around the world.

- IMDb mini biography by: Andrea Velasco