Jari Manninen

Jari Manninen, born on November 5, 1985, in Viitasaari, Finland, is an accomplished actor whose journey in the film industry began with a strong educational foundation in screenwriting and directing at Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences. His passion for storytelling was further nurtured at Liminka School of Art, where he studied creative writing and honed his acting skills at Voionmaa Institute.

Manninen's entry into the film world was marked by his involvement with Jo-Jo the Dog Films, an indie film group founded by his fellow student Joonas Makkonen. As an actor in their short films, Manninen contributed to a collection of works that garnered international acclaim, winning multiple awards in time-limited filmmaking competitions.

In 2013, he received the Best Male Actor award at The 24 Hour Film Race for his performance in the short film "Hobo with Time Machine." Later that year, he triumphed again, winning Best Male Actor at the 100 Hour Film Race for his role in "Renewing Mikael," which also secured accolades for Best Film, Best Director, Best Ensemble Cast, and other categories.

Manninen made his feature film debut in the horror comedy "Bunny the Killer Thing" (2015) and continued to showcase his talent in the leading role of Sami Pöyry's film "Punainen kohina" (2021). With his diverse range of performances, Manninen is establishing himself as a prominent figure in contemporary Finnish cinema.