Juan Carlos Maneglia is a renowned Paraguayan film director, best known for his work with Tana Schémbori as part of the Maneglia Schémbori duo. Born on July 9, 1996, of Italian descent, Maneglia's passion for storytelling began at a young age.
He started making short films at the age of 11, using a Super 8 camera, and continued to create short films throughout his teenage years, experimenting with various formats such as VHS, film, and digital. His dedication to his craft earned him national and international awards.
Maneglia's film education began when he was awarded a scholarship to the International School of Cinema and TV in San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba in 1991. He later attended an intensive film workshop at the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA) in 1999, thanks to a scholarship from UNESCO.
After years of directing shorts and television series, Maneglia made his feature film debut with "7 Boxes" in 2013. The film tells the story of Victor, a 17-year-old truck driver who is offered a mysterious deal to transport seven boxes in exchange for $100. "7 Boxes" became the highest-grossing film in Paraguayan cinema history, winning over 29 international awards and being nominated for the Goya Awards in 2013. The film was released in commercial theaters in the United States, Spain, Bolivia, Brazil, France, and Mexico.
Five years later, Maneglia and Schémbori released their second feature film, "The Gold Seekers", which quickly became the second most-watched Paraguayan film. The duo was nominated for several film festivals, including the 2019 Platinum Awards, where they received praise from former Academy President John Bailey for their work as filmmakers and the success of Paraguayan cinema.
