{{Short description|British cinematographer, screenwriter, and director}} {{Infobox person | image = Molly Manning Walker - Un Certain Regard Jury at Cannes Film Festival 2025 02 (cropped).jpg | caption = | birth_name = Molly Andi Amy Manning-Walker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|9|14|df=y}} | birth_place = | alma_mater = {{Plainlist| * [[Arts University Bournemouth]] (BA) * [[National Film and Television School]] (MA) }} | occupation = | years_active = 2012–present | family = [[Chubby and the Gang|Charlie Manning-Walker]] (brother) }}
'''Molly Manning Walker''' (born 14 September 1993) is a British film director, writer, and cinematographer. Her debut feature film ''[[How to Have Sex]]'' (2023) won the [[Un Certain Regard]] Award at the [[2023 Cannes Film Festival]] and the [[European Film Award for European Discovery of the Year|European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI]] at the [[36th European Film Awards]]. In 2024, she earned two nominations at the [[77th British Academy Film Awards]] for ''How to Have Sex'', including [[BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film|Outstanding British Film]] and [[BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer|Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer]].
==Early life and education== Manning Walker was born in the West [[London Borough of Ealing]], the daughter of theatre and film creatives Andy Walker and Lesley Manning. Her older brother Charlie Manning-Walker is a member of the band [[Chubby and the Gang]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-chubby-and-the-gangs-lovelorn-new-song-i-hate-the-radio-3010582|title=Listen to Chubby and the Gang's lovelorn new song 'I Hate the Radio'|website=NME|first=Alex|last=Gallagher|date=4 August 2021}}</ref>
Manning Walker attended [[Elthorne Park High School]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2023-11-16/how-to-have-sex-students-discuss-the-pressure-following-film-on-consent|title=Students speak of pressure after landmark film 'How To Have Sex' discusses consent|website=ITV News|date=17 November 2023|accessdate=18 January 2024}}</ref> and [[St Augustine's Priory, Ealing|St Augustine's Priory]].<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/news/16906903.young-ealing-film-maker-seeks-backing-film-sexual-harassment/|title=Young Ealing film-maker seeks backing for film on sexual harassment|journal=Ealing Times|date=27 September 2018|accessdate=18 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sapriory.com/2017/03/10/the-drama-department/|title=The Drama Department|website=St Augustine's Priory|date=10 March 2017|accessdate=18 January 2024}}</ref> She was interested in photography in school and invited to photograph an [[Occupy London]] event, which Manning Walker turned into a documentary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinegirl.net/home-all-issues/meet-director-of-photography-molly-manning-walker|title=Meet Director of Photography: Molly Manning Walker|website=Cinegirl|first=Francesca|last=Zerenghi|date=14 March 2020|accessdate=18 January 2024}}</ref> She went on to study Cinematography at [[Arts University Bournemouth]], graduating with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] (BA) degree in 2015, and the [[National Film and Television School]], graduating with a [[Master of Arts]] (MA) degree in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.creativelivesinprogress.com/article/molly-manning-walker|title=Collaborate, be chilled and emotionally connected: Molly Manning Walker, freelance DOP|website=Creative Lives – In Progress|first=Marianne|last=Hanoun|date=17 October 2019|accessdate=18 January 2024}}</ref>
==Career== Manning rose to prominence as a cinematographer before attracting acclaim for her directing, shooting dozens of short films and music videos from the early 2010s until the early 2020s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-26 |title=A first-time filmmaker in Cannes: Molly Manning Walker on her breakthrough 'How to Have Sex' |url=https://www.richmond-news.com/entertainment-news/a-first-time-filmmaker-in-cannes-molly-manning-walker-on-her-breakthrough-how-to-have-sex-7037862 |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Richmond News |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, Manning served as the cinematographer on [[Charlotte Regan]]'s debut feature ''[[Scrapper (2023 film)|Scrapper]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-01-27|title="Our Process Revolved Around Letting the Kids Be Kids": DP Molly Manning Walker on Scrapper|url=https://filmmakermagazine.com/118939-interview-dp-molly-manning-walker-scrapper/|access-date=2023-10-16|website=Filmmaker Magazine|language=en-GB}}</ref>
Her debut feature, ''[[How to Have Sex]]'', was developed with Film4. ''How to Have Sex'' won the [[Un Certain Regard]] Award at the [[2023 Cannes Film Festival]] and the [[European Film Award for European Discovery of the Year|European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI]] at the [[36th European Film Awards]]. In 2024, she earned two nominations at the [[77th British Academy Film Awards]] for ''How to Have Sex'', including [[BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film|Outstanding British Film]] and [[BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer|Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer]].
In 2025, Manning was selected as the head of the jury for the Un Certain Regard section of the [[2025 Cannes Film Festival|78th Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calnan |first=Ellie |title=Molly Manning Walker to lead Un Certain Regard jury at Cannes Film Festival |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/molly-manning-walker-to-lead-un-certain-regard-jury-at-cannes-film-festival/5204345.article |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Screen Daily |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |date=2025-04-29 |title=Molly Manning Walker to Serve as Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury President |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/festivals/cannes-un-certain-regard-jury-2025-1235118990/ |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |date=2025-04-29 |title=‘How to Have Sex’ Director Molly Manning Walker Heads Up Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/molly-manning-walker-cannes-un-certain-regard-jury-1236203101/ |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>
Manning began developing her first television series with [[A24]] and [[Channel 4]] in 2025, titled ''Major Players''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldbart |first=Max |date=2025-06-02 |title=A24 Teaming With ‘How To Have Sex’s Molly Manning Walker On Women’s Soccer Series For Channel 4 |url=https://deadline.com/2025/06/a24-channel-4-molly-manning-walker-womens-soccer-series-1236420281/ |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ritman |first=Alex |date=2025-06-02 |title=‘How to Have Sex’ Director Molly Manning Walker Sets Debut TV Series ‘Major Players’ With A24, Channel 4 |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/molly-manning-walker-tv-series-major-players-a24-channel-4-1236415574/ |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Calnan |first=Ellie |title=Molly Manning Walker to direct women’s football series ‘Major Players’ for A24, Channel 4 |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/molly-manning-walker-to-direct-womens-football-series-major-players-for-a24-channel-4/5205638.article |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Screen |language=en}}</ref> The series will "follows two girls on the brink of adulthood and their mission to start a women’s football team."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Channel 4 scores first TV series from How to Have Sex writer and director Molly Manning Walker |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/channel-4-scores-first-tv-series-from-how-to-have-sex-writer-and-director-molly-manning-walker/ |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=C21media |language=en-us}}</ref> Production on the series began in September of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daniels |first=Nia |date=2025-09-16 |title=Molly Manning Walker’s Major Players begins production for C4 |url=https://theknowledgeonline.com/news/molly-manning-walkers-major-players-begins-production |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=The Knowledge Online |language=en-US}}</ref>
In April 2026, it was announced that A24 and [[Plan B Entertainment|Plan B]] would produce Walker's next movie, ''Not Another F**king Wedding.'' The two companies previously worked together for the films ''[[Moonlight (2016 film)|Moonlight]]'' (2016) and ''[[Minari]]'' (2020)''.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2026-04-30 |title=Not Another F**king Wedding: Molly Manning Walker Directing Film For A24 |url=https://deadline.com/2026/04/not-another-fucking-wedding-molly-manning-walker-film-a24-1236877047/ |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personal life== Manning Walker co-founded the [[Sunday league football]] team Babes City FC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.a-rabbitsfoot.com/editorial/confessions/molly-manning-walker-a-new-direction/|title=Molly Manning Walker: A New Direction|website=A Rabbit's Foot|first=Chris|last=Cotonou|date=9 September 2023|accessdate=18 January 2024}}</ref>
Walker chose [[Andrea Arnold]]'s ''[[Fish Tank (film)|Fish Tank]]'' (2009) as her top film of all time when asked by [[The Criterion Collection|Criterion]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Molly Manning Walker’s Top 10 |url=https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/635-molly-manning-walker-s-top-10 |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=The Criterion Collection |language=en}}</ref>
==Filmography== '''Short films''' {|class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Director ! Writer ! Cinematographer ! Notes |- |2012 |''Out of Tune'' |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |- | rowspan="2" |2015 |''More Hate Than Fear'' | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Khadejah'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- | rowspan="2" |2016 |''The Worlds My Oyster'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} |Documentary short |- |''Softly Softly Catchy Monkey'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- | rowspan="3" |2017 |''Lead'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Cabin Pressure'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Shrink'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- | rowspan="2" | 2018 |''Reach'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Uneatable'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- | rowspan="10" |2019 |''My Mother'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''La Entrevista'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Seven'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Deep Clean'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''City of Children'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} |Documentary short |- |''One Liner'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''November 1st'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Pompeii'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Our Sister'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Absent'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- | rowspan="3" | 2020 |''The Forgotten C'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Acrimonious'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |''Good Thanks, You?'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | |}
'''Feature films''' {|class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Director ! Writer ! Cinematographer |- |2023 |''[[Scrapper (2023 film)|Scrapper]]'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} |- | 2023 | ''[[How to Have Sex]]'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |} '''Music videos''' {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Director ! Writer ! Cinematographer |- |2017 |Kwaye, "Little Ones" | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} |- |2018 |[[Tom Walker (singer)|Tom Walker]], "My Way" | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} |- |2018 |[[ASAP Rocky|A$AP Rocky]], "[[Sundress (song)|Sundress]]" | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} |- |2019 |[[James Blake (musician)|James Blake]], "[[Can't Believe the Way We Flow]]" | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} |- |2020 |[[645AR]] ft. [[FKA Twigs]], "[[Sum Bout U]]" | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} |} '''TV''' {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Director ! Writer ! Cinematographer |- |TBA |''Major Players'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |}
== Awards == Her 2020 short film ''Good Thanks, You?'' was selected at the [[Critics' Week]] in Cannes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Goodfellow|first=Melanie|title=Cannes Critics' Week reveals 2020 label selection|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/cannes-critics-week-reveals-2020-label-selection/5150333.article|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Screen|language=en}}</ref> Her grad film ''{{notatypo|November 1st}}'' took Bronze at the [[Student Academy Awards]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-12|title=ACADEMY REVEALS 2019 STUDENT ACADEMY AWARD WINNERS|url=https://www.oscars.org/news/academy-reveals-2019-student-academy-awardr-winners|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|language=en}}</ref> and Manning-Walker was nominated at [[Camerimage]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-21|title=Molly Manning Walker|url=https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/molly-manning-walker/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=British Cinematographer|language=en-GB}}</ref> Her debut feature film ''[[How to Have Sex]]'' (2023) won the [[Un Certain Regard]] Award at the [[2023 Cannes Film Festival]] and the [[European Film Award for European Discovery of the Year|European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI]] at the [[36th European Film Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barraclough |first=Leo |date=2023-12-09 |title=Molly Manning Walker's 'How to Have Sex' Wins Discovery Prize at European Film Awards |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/european-film-awards-2023-1235831927/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2024, she received two nominations at the [[77th British Academy Film Awards]] for ''How to Have Sex'', including [[BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film|Outstanding British Film]] and [[BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer|Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ritman |first=Alex |date=2024-01-19 |title='How to Have Sex' Director Molly Manning Walker on 'Unexpected' BAFTA Nominations and What's Next: 'I Want Everyone to Question What We're Making' |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/how-to-have-sex-molly-manning-walker-bafta-nominations-next-film-1235877575/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9104848/ ''Good thanks, you?''] on [[Internet Movie Database|IMDB]] *[https://vimeo.com/ondemand/goodthanksyou ''Good thanks, you?'' (full film)] on [[Vimeo]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manning Walker, Molly}} [[Category:1993 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Alumni of Arts University Bournemouth]] [[Category:Alumni of the National Film and Television School]] [[Category:British LGBTQ film directors]] [[Category:English people of Welsh descent]] [[Category:English women cinematographers]] [[Category:English women film directors]] [[Category:Film directors from London]] [[Category:LGBTQ people from London]] [[Category:People educated at St Augustine's Priory School, Ealing]] [[Category:People from the London Borough of Ealing]] [[Category:Directors of European Discovery European Film Award winners]]