BIOGRAPHY

 Luis Mandoki is a seasoned Director with a career spanning decades and continents. He made his debut in 1976 with the short film “SILENT MUSIC”, which won first place at the Cannes Film Festival. He continued to build his reputation in cinema, winning the Ariel for Best Short Film in Mexico in 1980 with the short film “THE SECRET”.

Mandoki's first feature film "MOTEL" earned recognition at prestigious festivals like the San Sebastian Film Festival and received multiple Ariel awards. In 1987, he gained international acclaim with “GABY: A TRUE STORY" earning an Oscar nomination and two Golden Globe nominations, marking the start of his Hollywood journey.

Mandoki served as a resource advisor at the Sundance Institute alongside Robert Redford from 1988 to 1989, further enriching his skills. His American cinema debut came with the drama "WHITE PALACE”, starring Susan Sarandon and James Spader, followed by notable films such as "WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN”, starring Meg Ryan and Andy García, "MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE”, starring Kevin Costner, Robin Wright and Paul Newman, “ANGEL EYES”, with Jennifer Lopez and James Caviezel, and "TRAPPED" starring Charlize Theron and Kevin Bacon.

Continuing to push boundaries and explore important social issues, Mandoki's 2005 film "INNOCENT VOICES" received critical acclaim, winning the Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, the Stanley Kramer Award from the Producer's Guild of America and other prestigious awards. He later ventured into documentary filmmaking, addressing pressing societal themes with compelling narratives.

His most recent films include "LA VIDA PRECOZ Y BREVE DE SABINA RIVAS", the portrayal of a Honduran girl's journey to the United States in search of a better life, and the psychological thriller “PRESENCES” featuring standout performances from Yalitza Aparicio and Alberto Ammann.