BIO

Manny Bernardez is a Venezuelan-born director and lifelong storyteller drawn to the moments between the lines—the glance, the beat, the spark that turns a frame into a feeling. Whether working with pro athletes, non-actors, or expressive ensembles, he brings a deep sense of empathy to every set, crafting performances that feel lived-in, human, and real.

Manny began his career designing brand worlds for MTV Latino, Discovery Networks, and more before co-founding Unburro, a design and animation studio that helped define Miami’s creative scene. From there, he moved through the industry’s top creative centers—NYC, Portland, Boston—expanding his visual toolkit at Teamheavy, leading award-winning campaigns at Nike Global Brand Design (including the Beijing Olympics and Nike+), and later serving as VP Group Creative Director at Digitas.

But directing was always the throughline. For Manny, it’s less about control and more about connection—building trust, shaping tone, and setting the conditions for people to bring their best. He collaborates early and often, treating the treatment phase as a creative handshake with client and agency alike. Every story he signs on to tell has to resonate first with him. From there, he builds it with the care of someone who believes in it.

Manny’s work is emotionally precise and visually inventive, often blending animation, comedy, and vérité detail into unexpected narrative form. He’s directed global campaigns for Nike, National Geographic, Columbia Sportswear, NBAStore.com, NFL Network, ESPN, and many more, with recognition from Cannes, British Arrows, Promax BDA, D&AD Pencils, Kinsale Sharks, and the DGA.

A nomad at heart, Manny draws creative energy from movement—between cities, cultures, and people. He believes the more rounded his life experience becomes, the more honestly he can tell someone else’s story. He currently lives in Austin, Texas, still hungry, still dreaming, and evolving toward longer-form narratives where his emotional instinct and creative reach can stretch even further.

Manny’s work has been featured and lauded by: YAHOOSPORTS.COM, CREATIVITY ONLINE, BOARDS, CNN, ESPN, RUNNER'S WORLD, CANNES LIONS, TELLY, BDA, PROMAX, IDN, KINSALE SHARKS, LIAA, BTA, EPICA, BRITISH ARROWS, D&AD PENCILS, ADOBE.COM, STASH MAGAZINE, MOTIONOGRAPHER, TASCHEN, DIE GESTALTEN VERLAG.

AWARDS

Promax Gold - Direction
2016 

Promax Gold - Event Program Spot
2016

Promax/BDA - Bronze
2015

Shoot/DGA - New Director Showcase
2012

Rosey Awards - Award of Excellence
2011

Rosey Awards - Award of Merit
2011 

British Film and Television Awards - Craft Gold
2010

British Arrows - Bronze (x2)
2010

EPICA Award - Bronze
2010

Kinsale Shark - Bronze
2010

Kinsale Shark- Gold
2010

LIAA - Gold
2010

LIAA - Silver
2010 

Stash - Best Of 2009
2009

Fourth Screen Awards - Gold
2006

Telly Awards - Bronze (x3)
2005
        
Telly Awards - Bronze (x3)
2004

BDA - Bronze
2002

BDA - Silver
2002

IDN Decade Design Awards - Design Distinction
2002

BDA - Gold
2001

BDA - Silver
2001

Promax - Silver
2001

Promax - Best Of Show
2000

Promax - Gold Award
2000 

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