Providence Filmmaker Manya Glassman Premieres New Film at Tribeca

Categories: CinemaEvents/What's HappeningFestivalsNews

The audience engaged during the premiere of 'How I Learned to Die' at the Tribeca Film Festival.

News Summary

Manya Glassman, a Providence-native filmmaker, will debut her short film ‘How I Learned to Die’ at the Tribeca Film Festival. Drawing from personal experiences, the comedy-drama follows a teenager confronting a life-threatening diagnosis. Glassman, a graduate of Providence College and NYU, has received guidance from director Spike Lee and seeks to develop the film into a feature. With deep ties to her Rhode Island roots, Glassman is poised to make waves in the film industry, exploring themes of youth and resilience.

Providence – Manya Glassman, a talented filmmaker and Providence native, is set to premiere her latest short film, titled “How I Learned to Die,” at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival next month. The film is a 20-minute comedy-drama that draws heavily from Glassman’s own life experiences, particularly a challenging period during her teenage years when she faced a life-threatening health diagnosis.

The film centers around the character of 16-year-old Iris, who discovers that she has a 60% chance of dying in four days. This shocking revelation forces Iris to embrace life fully, delivering a mix of humor and poignant reflections on mortality and the beauty of living. Glassman’s inspiration for the film stems from her personal battle with a tumor found in her third vertebrae, which presented her with not only physical challenges but also emotional and social hurdles.

Glassman’s journey as a filmmaker includes graduating from Providence College and earning a Master of Fine Arts from New York University (NYU). At NYU, she worked closely with renowned director Spike Lee, serving as his teaching assistant. Lee became a key figure in the development of “How I Learned to Die,” encouraging Glassman to create the short as proof of concept for a potential feature film. He provided invaluable feedback throughout the scriptwriting process and awarded her a production grant to bring the project to fruition.

Shot predominantly in Rhode Island, the short film features locations such as Moses Brown School and the nursing facility at Providence College, highlighting Glassman’s deep connection to her home state. The local setting adds authenticity to the narrative, as it captures the essence of where Glassman grew up.

Alongside her accolades for “How I Learned to Die,” Glassman takes pride in her previous accomplishments as a budding filmmaker. She has produced a total of 11 short films and a feature film, showcasing her versatility and passion for storytelling. Additionally, she collaborated with fellow Providence local Emeline Easton to produce a music video filmed on 16mm, further diversifying her range as a creator.

Looking ahead, Glassman’s immediate objective is to develop a feature-length version of “How I Learned to Die,” which aims to expand on her personal experiences while also exploring universal themes of youth and resilience. She has at least two more feature scripts in the pipeline, along with a television pilot in development, reflecting her ambition to continue making meaningful and impactful films.

As she prepares for the premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Glassman hopes to connect with audiences through the universal themes of her work. With a unique voice and a powerful message, she stands poised to make a significant impact within the film industry, emerging as a prominent figure in a competitive creative landscape.