If you’ve been watching television over the past five-10 years, you’ve definitely seen Seith Mann‘s work. Mann directed episodes for shows like The Walking Dead, Dexter and Sons of Anarchy (and the list goes on). His breakthrough short film, Five Deep Breaths, caught the attention of television producer Robert F. Colesberry and had it not been for Colesberry’s untimely death, Mann wouldn’t have made his directorial debut on HBO’s groundbreaking The Wire. But he still went on to direct episodes for the drama series, until he officially joined the directing crew in the show’s fourth season in 2006. Mann’s latest television hit is VH1’s The Breaks, a movie that has recently been announced as a series for the network.
In honor of both Black History Month and award season approaching, we’ve highlighted some of Mann’s most notable achievements. Although he’s an upcoming director and has a more concise list than our other “Behind the Lens” stars, the amount of achievements derived from just one of his projects is sure to blow you away.
Mann’s short film Five Deep Breaths was awarded with the Spike Lee Fellowship while it was still in development. Following its 2003 release, the film won the Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation award for Best Short Film, and The Carl Lerner Award for Film with Social Significance at the 2003 New York University First Run Festival. It was selected to premiere at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. It won a Gold Plaque for Narrative Short Film at the 2003 Chicago International Film Festival and also won the Best Narrative Short Film award at the 2003 Los Angeles IFP/West Film Festival. It is a must see, as is all of Mann’s work. A bright future lies ahead for this director, indeed.
