Dean Mani is a Multifaceted Award Winning Ugandan filmmaker with a passion for storytelling through the audio-visual medium of film. A proud alumnus of Kampala Film School with a particular focus in Directing, Cinematography, Editing, and Animation. His professional credits include working as Cinematographer on Multichoice productions like "At The Crossroads (2023)" and as Gaffer on "Enkuba (2022)". Dean has also worked on independent and personal film productions in various capacities as Director, Cinematographer and Editor, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker. Dean's unique approach to filmmaking is informed by a background in architecture and a lifelong passion for the visual arts. He brings a keen eye for detail, creative vision and experimentation to every project he takes on. When not behind the camera, Dean can be found reading, watching, and expressing his creativity through drawing, photography, and writing. As a self-proclaimed cinephile, he draws inspiration from an eclectic assortment of films and always is seeking new ways to push the bounds of visual storytelling.

Dean Mani

Dean Mani is a Multifaceted Award Winning Ugandan filmmaker with a passion for storytelling through the audio-visual medium of film. A proud alumnus of Kampala Film School with a particular focus in Directing, Cinematography, Editing, and Animation. His professional credits include working as Cinematographer on Multichoice productions like "At The Crossroads (2023)" and as Gaffer on "Enkuba (2022)". Dean has also worked on independent and personal film productions in various capacities as Director, Cinematographer and Editor, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker. Dean's unique approach to filmmaking is informed by a background in architecture and a lifelong passion for the visual arts. He brings a keen eye for detail, creative vision and experimentation to every project he takes on. When not behind the camera, Dean can be found reading, watching, and expressing his creativity through drawing, photography, and writing. As a self-proclaimed cinephile, he draws inspiration from an eclectic assortment of films and always is seeking new ways to push the bounds of visual storytelling.

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Dean Mani is a Multifaceted Award Winning Ugandan filmmaker with a passion for storytelling through the audio-visual medium of film. A proud alumnus of Kampala Film School with a particular focus in Directing, Cinematography, Editing, and Animation.

His professional credits include working as Cinematographer on Multichoice productions like “At The Crossroads (2023)” and as Gaffer on “Enkuba (2022)”. Dean has also worked on independent and personal film productions in various capacities as Director, Cinematographer and Editor, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker.

Dean’s unique approach to filmmaking is informed by a background in architecture and a lifelong passion for the visual arts. He brings a keen eye for detail, creative vision and experimentation to every project he takes on.

When not behind the camera, Dean can be found reading, watching, and expressing his creativity through drawing, photography, and writing. As a self-proclaimed cinephile, he draws inspiration from an eclectic assortment of films and always is seeking new ways to push the bounds of visual storytelling.

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Experience Level

Adobe Premiere Pro
Expert
DaVinci Resolve Studio
Expert
Adobe Photoshop
Intermediate
Adobe Illustrator
Intermediate
Adobe Audition
Intermediate
Adobe After Effects
Intermediate
Blender
Intermediate

Language

English
Fluent

Education

Bachelor of Film Making at Kampala Film School, Kampala
September 2, 2019 - April 25, 2024
Graduated with First Class Honours

Qualifications

ARRI Certificate for Cinematography Workshop
April 16, 2024 - October 18, 2024

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment
    uniE613 BLOCK
    • My first narrative short film I helmed as Writer, Director & Editor during my 2nd Year at Film School, about a fateful encounter one night between residents of the titular BLOCK. • Winner Best Short Film at Pearl International Film Festival (PIFF) 2023. It has been nominated at 6 other film festivals both local and international. https://youtu.be/6vZI1akr338 https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/entertainment/filmmakers-awarded-at-pearl-international-fil-NV_175735
    uniE613 Silent Scream
    • I served as Cinematographer on this short film about mental health and depression. • Winner Best Student Film at Uganda Film Festival (UFF) 2023 and at IKON Awards 2024 with various nominations both local and international. https://youtu.be/nIYMF_JRei8
    uniE613 At The Crossroads
    • I served as the Cinematographer on this Multichoice commissioned feature film during my 3rd Year at Film School. https://youtu.be/n1GaR7p-aHw
    uniE613 REWARD$
    • REWARD$ is a music video I Directed & Edited during my 3rd Year at Film School for Ugandan upcoming rap artist, Kenny O. https://youtu.be/Ccb_8Zsx-dU
    uniE613 Animation Experiment #1
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CMePDlbiiWS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
    uniE613 Animation Experiment #2
    • First experience doing frame by frame animation. https://www.instagram.com/p/CLJo4KmCPgm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
    uniE613 Enkuba
    • I served as Head Gaffer on this Multichoice commissioned feature film during my 2nd Year at Film School. https://youtu.be/3hN853vPLls