From finance to film, Rafael Maman’s journey is as cinematic as the stories he brings to life. A director and producer who has embraced Hollywood’s grit and France’s artistry, Rafael offers a unique lens to filmmaking, creating worlds that feel both surreal and thrilling. His work marries pragmatic Hitchcockian suspense and Jean Pierre Jeunet’s fantastic exaggeration of reality.
Rafael’s career began in an unexpected place: the world of finance. However, like so many others during the COVID pandemic, he took a leap, following a lifelong passion for film. His love for cinema started early, when he bonded with his father, a fellow cinephile, over movies. That connection stayed with him, and despite detours into other industries, he knew filmmaking was his true calling.
After transitioning from finance, Rafael spent a year working for Alef One, a production company in Paris, before pursuing a master’s degree in film at the prestigious University of Southern California (USC). In those three years, he directed more than 15 short films and produced over 20, including the feature film The Optimist and the award-winning short Surrender. Since graduating in 2023, Rafael has already produced two ambitious short films set to release in 2025 and directed fiction and commercials for major brands.
One of Rafael’s significant challenges was producing Focal Point, a sci-fi short film that had a budget 10 times smaller than it should have been. His financial background was handy, enabling him to stretch every dollar creatively while maintaining high production value. But the creative challenges were just as thrilling—convincing the leading viewed mime in the world, Kaaren Zar, who had sworn off filmmaking, to star in a film Rafael would direct and had written about mimes, was no small feat. His persistence and passion for storytelling ultimately won the mime over, illustrating Rafael’s ability to bridge the worlds of finance and creativity in a way few others can.
What sets Rafael apart is his dual role as a director and producer, a combination that allows him to maintain creative control while navigating the industry’s business side. His style is distinct: fantastical thrillers that are dark yet vibrant, stories that reflect a cynical yet hopeful perspective of the world. This fusion of imaginative storytelling and financial acumen has propelled him forward.
Rafael’s career is already filled with highlights, from producing The Optimist with less than $5,000—a film that went on to gain recognition at festivals like the Silicon Beach Film Festival—to directing festival contenders like Last Drag or behind-the-scenes footage of a popular French TV show. And while the road has been challenging, he has embraced every obstacle, thriving on the creativity required to solve problems on the fly.
One personal anecdote that encapsulates Rafael’s journey is how he met his first filmmaking collaborator. Dressed as Edward Scissorhands at a Halloween dinner in London, Rafael quickly realized he was the only one in costume. While numerous people laughed, a man sitting beside him shared his love for the movie, sparking a conversation leading to their first project together. That moment of connection marked the beginning of a career now filled with notable accomplishments.
Looking ahead, Rafael’s aspirations are clear. He’s currently preparing his first feature film and aims to direct two by 2029. His dream? He wants to run his own production company where he can have absolute artistic control to create films that inspire others, just as cinema has inspired him. Rafael’s path may have started in finance, but it’s in film where his passion truly shines. And with his unique vision, he’s a talent worth watching closely.
For more information, visit: rafaelmaman.com.
Published By: Aize Perez
