Portrait of filmmaker Alessia Mandanici
Portrait of filmmaker Alessia Mandanici

Alessia Mandanici is an independent filmmaker holding an MFA in writing & directing from NYU Tisch School’s Graduate Film program.

Born in Germany, she discovered her passion for film during her BA in Communication Design. While deepening her visual skills as a cinematographer, editor and designer in Berlin, she gained a broad spectrum of production experience for clients such as Google, ARD EinsPlus and the Berlin State Ballet.

Alessia's award-winning narrative films were screened at Oscar-qualifying film festivals around the globe, including the Berlin International Film Festival and Austin Film Festival. She is a 2022 NYU Production Lab fellow.


I consider myself a multi-disciplinarian whose aesthetic approach to filmmaking has been profoundly shaped by being a designer and a musician since an early age. The possibility to combine all of those passions is what makes film a beautiful medium for me.

My cinematic work and writing are strongly influenced by my enthusiasm for intra-family and inter-generational structures and dynamics.

I am currently in development of my debut feature film Wiegenlied (Lullaby), a story exploring the emotional impact of childhood trauma and abuse.

Berlinale Hessen Talent / 62nd Berlin Int'l Film Festival, 2012 / Spieglein, Spieglein (Mirror, Mirror)

Best Short Film (Audience Award) / exground filmfest 25, 2012 / Spieglein, Spieglein (Mirror, Mirror)

Berlinale Hessen Talent / 64th Berlin Int'l Film Festival, 2014 / Time to go

Opening Night Short Award / Stony Brook Film Festival, 2022 / Lentini

Targa Short Film Prize / 76th Int'l Film Festival Salerno, 2022 / Lentini

Best Female Director / San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival, 2023 / Lentini

25k Production Grant / Film and Media Commission RLP, 2022 / Schwarzmoll (Blackmoll)

Feature Film Development Studio Fellowship / NYU Production Lab, 2022 / Wiegenlied (Lullaby)