Directing

Sam Manacsa

Sam Manacsa is a Filipino filmmaker working across multiple disciplines. Her short film Cross My Heart and Hope to Die (2023) had its world premiere in the Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival, while If People Such as We Cease to Exist (2016) was selected for the International Competition at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. She is an alumna of SEAFIC Seed Lab (2022…

Known For

Amoeba

In a repressive city-state, a tomboy schoolgirl persuades three classmates at an all-girls school to rebel by forming a triad gang.

Open Endings

Open Endings · 2026

MovieDramaComedy

Four queer women in their 30s who are exes-turned-best-friends navigate adulthood, love, friendship, chosen families, and everything in between.

Annisa

In a crowded housing complex, Anissa, a blind teenage girl navigates a world mainly shaped by sound. As a neighborhood national day celebration unfolds around her, she finds an unexpected way to be heard, reclaiming her place within the noise that surrounds her.

Water Sports

Water Sports · 2024

MovieRomanceComedy

Sad boys Jelson and Ipe harness the power of their love in an attempt to survive a world devastated by climate change.

Whether the Weather Is Fine

Whether the Weather Is Fine · 2021

Whether the Weather Is Fine

Against the backdrop of the Typhoon Yolanda, a mother and her son struggle for survival and deal with absurdity of fate, sustained by the hope that they carry, and what is lost and gained.

And If Thuy Didn't Exist

And If Thuy Didn't Exist · 2026

And If Thuy Didn't Exist

Buffering through a new country on odd jobs and a phone that speaks for her. An undocumented immigrant is now ready to pair.

Spid

MovieScience FictionAction

In the midst of a global epidemic that causes a delay of sight from sound, a retiring hitman must honor one last mission: eliminate the city's biggest supplier of spid, a potent drug that syncs one's senses.

Five Breakups and a Romance

Five Breakups and a Romance · 2023

Five Breakups and a Romance

MovieDramaRomance

Even if two people are on the opposite sides of the universe, once the connection is made, they're basically one.

Filmography

Sort

Amoeba

In a repressive city-state, a tomboy schoolgirl persuades three classmates at an all-girls school to rebel by forming a triad gang.

Production Design

Open Endings

Open Endings · 2026

MovieDramaComedy

Four queer women in their 30s who are exes-turned-best-friends navigate adulthood, love, friendship, chosen families, and everything in between.

Production Design

Annisa

In a crowded housing complex, Anissa, a blind teenage girl navigates a world mainly shaped by sound. As a neighborhood national day celebration unfolds around her, she finds an unexpected way to be heard, reclaiming her place within the noise that surrounds her.

Director

Water Sports

Water Sports · 2024

MovieRomanceComedy

Sad boys Jelson and Ipe harness the power of their love in an attempt to survive a world devastated by climate change.

Creative Consultant

Whether the Weather Is Fine

Whether the Weather Is Fine · 2021

Whether the Weather Is Fine

Against the backdrop of the Typhoon Yolanda, a mother and her son struggle for survival and deal with absurdity of fate, sustained by the hope that they carry, and what is lost and gained.

Art Direction

And If Thuy Didn't Exist

And If Thuy Didn't Exist · 2026

And If Thuy Didn't Exist

Buffering through a new country on odd jobs and a phone that speaks for her. An undocumented immigrant is now ready to pair.

Producer

Spid

MovieScience FictionAction

In the midst of a global epidemic that causes a delay of sight from sound, a retiring hitman must honor one last mission: eliminate the city's biggest supplier of spid, a potent drug that syncs one's senses.

Assistant Director

Five Breakups and a Romance

Five Breakups and a Romance · 2023

Five Breakups and a Romance

MovieDramaRomance

Even if two people are on the opposite sides of the universe, once the connection is made, they're basically one.

Art Direction

Cross My Heart and Hope to Die

Cross My Heart and Hope to Die · 2023

Cross My Heart and Hope to Die

Mila struggles as she remains unpaid at work and finds comfort in a love interest through his constant phone calls.

Director

Sakaling Maging Tayo

Sakaling Maging Tayo · 2019

Sakaling Maging Tayo

MovieRomanceComedy

Two college freshmen, Pol and Laya, accidentally meet during their last day of school in Baguio City. Laya is about to move back to Manila to escape from her failed romance, while Pol is about to spend a care-free night in a music festival. After witnessing Laya’s breakdown because of her recent heartbreak, Pol gets an idea to make her last night in Baguio fun and memorable.

Art Direction

Never Tear Us Apart

Never Tear Us Apart · 2018

Never Tear Us Apart

An aging spy, his delusional wife, and promiscuous son are driven into madness as they confront the terrors caused by the monster known as The Shadow.

Art Direction

A Catholic Schoolgirl

A Catholic Schoolgirl · 2023

A Catholic Schoolgirl

A 15-year-old A-student defies the views of her all-girls Catholic school as she confronts her feelings for a school nun.

Production Design

Baka Bukas

Baka Bukas · 2016

MovieComedyRomance

Alex is a 23 year old gay girl based in Manila. She is out to most people except her best friend Jess who she has been secretly in love with since they were kids. When Jess discovers the truth about Alex, they are forced to confront the feelings they have for each other.

Art Direction

Primetime Mother

Primetime Mother · 2023

Primetime Mother

MovieComedyDrama

The audition process for an exploitative game show becomes the latest test of a long-suffering mother’s fortitude and tenacity.

Production Design

Sila-Sila

Sila-Sila · 2019

A 30-year old man who returns home to Manila is forced to confront his old life, his old friends, and his ex-boyfriend at their high school reunion where the drama of the past and the present collide.

Art Direction

Cold Cut

Cold Cut · 2024

Joy, a 19-year-old student, is about to compete at the local talent show. As she's about to enter the audition, a mysterious butcher takes her to unknown horizons...

Production Design

If People Such as We Cease to Exist

If People Such as We Cease to Exist · 2016

If People Such as We Cease to Exist

A grieving widow attempts to find the missing piece of her husband's remains.

Script

Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month

Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month · 2017

Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month

Jodilerks, a gas station attendant is on her last day of duty. The night is young…

Art Direction

Please • Care

Please • Care · 2017

Please • Care

At 69 years old, Alejandra decides to separate from her philandering husband of five decades. However, the decision meets resistance when their middle-aged children refuse to give the blessing over their separation. But when the old lady's youngest and dearest daughter contracts a heart attack, the entire family is forced to gather in a hospital where, together, they must face the separation.

Art Direction

Nightbirds

Nightbirds · 2024

Mythology crosses Ivy's path when mystical Tigmamanukan bird helps her break free from her husband who gambles the couple's money in cockfighting.

Production Design