International Recognition
Antonio Manco’s work has been selected in numerous international film festivals—from New York to Tokyo—and has received several awards, confirming the quality and universality of his cinematic language:
- Best Film – Corciano Film Festival 2009 (Como si nada fuera)
- Best Direction – Ocurt International Film Festival 2010 (Il sogno di Gennaro)
- Best Direction – Napoli Film Festival 2012 (Resistenza Artigiana)
- Best Documentary – Napoli Cultural Classic 2013 (Resistenza Artigiana)
- Youth Public Award – Faito Doc 2013 (Resistenza Artigiana)
- Best Direction / Best Series – Roma Web Festival & Berlin Web Festival 2016 (Connection House)
- Best Direction & Best Movie – H R Montevideo Film Fest 2017 (Ni un pibe menos)
- Special Award Best Doc – Napoli Film Festival 2017 (Ni un pibe menos)
International Filmography: Stories Without Borders
Antonio Manco’s film production has a strong international dimension, with works created across various continents that reflect his ability to immerse himself in diverse cultural contexts:
Spain – The Origins
- Como si nada fuera (2008): A short film about the dynamics of separation.
Italy – Roots and Social Commitment
- Il sogno di Gennaro (2010): A short film on urban marginalization in Naples.
- Resistenza Artigiana (2012): A documentary about historical memory and craftsmanship.
- Unconnected (2014): Short movie.
- Connection House (2016): The first Italo-African web series, innovative in its social/comedy genre.
- The Rebel Photographer – The Street as Manifesto (work in progress, 2026)
Latin America – Exploring New Worlds
- Ni un pibe menos (2017): A social documentary filmed in Buenos Aires on institutional violence
- Pino Bertelli: Portrait of a Street Photographer in Buenos Aires (2014)
- Un viaje poderoso (2020): A road documentary that took Antonio through Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Cuba, exploring the cultural and social connections of the South American continent
Switzerland – New Horizons
- In the Footsteps of the Red Priest (in production, 2026): A documentary marking a new creative phase in Swiss territory
Visual Language: Photography and Collaborations
Antonio Manco personally oversees the cinematography in many of his documentaries, but when needed, he also surrounds himself with excellent professionals: Francesco Pischetola for Resistenza Artigiana, Leone Orfeo for Il sogno di Gennaro, and Luca Cestari for Connection House.
A crucial formative chapter is the encounter with Pino Bertelli, master of street photography. Since their first collaboration in Buenos Aires in 2014, Bertelli has become a mentor and guide in the photographic language. In 2025, Antonio returns to document the photographer’s work, further deepening his visual vision and acquiring new skills in the art of the image.
Cast Direction: Professionals and New Talents
Antonio honed his actor-directing skills through diverse experiences, from short films to web series. In Il sogno di Gennaro, he directed a diverse cast including established actors like Arduino Speranza, Massimo Masiello, and Carlos Fuentes, alongside newcomers.
This versatility expanded further with Connection House, where he led an international ensemble including stars like Daniela Poggi and Enzo Decaro, along with emerging talents from various backgrounds.
His ability to work with both seasoned actors and non-professionals stems from his strong theater background and deep understanding of the creative process. His flexible directorial approach creates an environment where each actor can shine, regardless of their experience.
Between Takes and Scripts: My Training as Assistant Director
Observe. Adapt. Learn.
Observe, adapt, learn. By working across different sets and productions as an assistant director, I gradually built my cinematic perspective—an experience that continues to enrich my work as a filmmaker.
Starting in 2008 at Cinecittà, I worked on various productions, followed by short assignments on La famiglia Gionni by Maurizio Simonetti.
In 2011, I coordinated the crew in Colombia for Breve storia di lunghi tradimenti by Davide Marengo.
In Naples, in 2012, I was assistant director to Peppe Lanzetta for Sara sarà, while in Buenos Aires (2016–2017) I collaborated on El viaje de Alba with Omar Neri and Monica Simoncini.
In 2019, in Zurich, I worked on Selena by Guillermo Barrionuevo.
Each experience sharpened different aspects of my approach:
the management of large Roman sets, adaptability in international productions, the sensitivity of Neapolitan documentary, the patience of Argentine cinéma vérité, and the precision of the Swiss method.
Four cities, four cinematic languages—today they all converge in my directorial vision, where technique and sensitivity merge into a personal and flexible method.
Video Editing – The Art of Cinematic Mashup
For over ten years, Antonio has collaborated with the Human Rights Film Festival of Naples, where he has refined a distinctive technique: cinematic mashup.
Through this method, he creates promotional trailers that weave together fragments of the competing films, transforming them into collective works with an entirely new meaning.
His creative process follows a thoughtful approach:
he first carefully selects the soundtrack together with the Festival’s board, then internalizes it by listening to it repeatedly with his eyes closed.
Only afterward does he watch the trailers of the selected films, searching for the most evocative frames—those that can engage in a dialogue with the music and with each other.
In the final edit, the images merge into the musical flow, creating their own narrative tension that turns the mashup into an independent artistic piece.
This decade-long experience has also allowed him to share his techniques internationally—such as during his meeting with students at the ACT Human Rights Film Festival in Colorado, where he demonstrated how editing can serve meaningful social causes, using cinema as a tool for change and social awareness.
Teaching Activity – Sharing Knowledge
Antonio’s professional experience includes a significant teaching component.
He has served as a camera instructor at prestigious international institutions: the Accademia del Cinema 15 in Barcelona (2007) and the Observatorio de Cine in Buenos Aires (2016).
In Italy, he brought cinema into elementary and middle schools across the Campania region through projects funded by the European Community, introducing younger generations to the language of film.
This calling for education reflects not only the recognition of his technical and artistic skills, but above all, his desire to share his cinematic vision—nurturing new generations of filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts.
Sapiens Production – Creative Independence
Since 2018, Antonio has been living in Zurich, where in 2021 he founded Sapiens Production, his independent production company.
Through this venture, Antonio has produced corporate videos for various companies, demonstrating versatility and the ability to adapt to different communication needs.
Currently, with Sapiens Production, Antonio is working on the documentary In the Footsteps of the Red Priest, inspired by the novel Il prete rosso by Giuseppina Togni, and set in the Valle Verzasca.
The film tells the true story of Sebastiano De Rubeis and reflects Antonio’s commitment to giving voice to deep and meaningful stories.
These achievements, earned in diverse cultural contexts, highlight Antonio’s ability to create works that speak a universal language, capable of resonating with audiences of different nationalities and sensibilities.
Case studies
Carefully crafted designs for innovative projects
Welcome to my production world! Immerse yourself in my showcase to witness the diverse range of jobs my clients have truly enjoyed.
Contact me
Ready to bring your
creative vision to life?
With a dedication to crafting stories that resonate and visuals that enchant,
let’s collaborate to bring your narrative to life.
