Maninder Chana is an award winning writer, director, producer, musician and actor. He was the driving force behind Mixed Nuts. The comedy troupe garnered accolades for its cutting edge humor, playing sold out shows and earning Maninder several nominations for his performance and stage direction.

His comedic appeals and creative abilities naturally led him to filmmaking. He has written and directed several movies, all of which have played at festivals internationally.

His pioneering work in film and television earned him a Reel World Trailblazer nomination in 2005. Also during that year, Maninder wrote and directed a six-hour epic sci-fi series for radio, Sectarian Wave. The story is in the process of being turned into a comic book by Bright Anvil Studios. The company has produced work for Marvel Comics, Dark Horse and designed toys for Shrek 2, Spiderman 3 and Star Wars: Revenge of The Sith, among others.

In 2006, Maninder wrote, executive produced, edited and shot Bright Anvil’s first film, Bastards of Kirk. It has gone on to become a cult film among comic book and science fiction geeks. Also in the same year, Maninder published a short story collection, Gunga Din Lite & Other Delights (of Lust and Comedy). 2007 saw him direct the action short, Fuku (Happiness is Blowfish) with members of Jackie Chan’s stunt team. It won two BEST FILM awards on the festival circuit.

Early this year, Maninder directed a pilot for up and coming comedy troupe Fade To Brown. It debuts nationally this fall.

The coming 18 months will also earn him three feature film credits. He is writer of the supernatural horror-thriller Cell 213 directed by Stephen Kay (Boogeyman,
Get Carter). It will be followed by Maninder’s debut feature film, Bollywood Zombie. Early 2009, he will direct his sophomore feature, Sikhs on Ice.