Multi-disciplinary artist Mahaneela has signed with Partizan, which will represent her out of its offices in the U.S., U.K. and France for commercials, branded content and music videos.
The Los Angeles and London-based filmmaker comes from a long lineage of visual and musical artists on both sides of her family. Mahaneela’s work takes inspiration from her multi-cultural background and the storytelling of diasporic history across South Asia, the Caribbean and Africa.
Mahaneela’s joining Partizan marks her first representation in the U.S. She had earlier been briefly repped in the U.K. by Academy.
In June 2022, Mahaneela was named as one of five mentors in Google’s Image Equity fellowship, in partnership with non-profit organization Free The Work and artist collective For Freedoms. This year, Mahaneela was named as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 groundbreaking creatives and entrepreneurs in entertainment. Her work also toured as part of Aperture’s “The New Black Vanguard” exhibition, curated by Antwaun Sargeant.
Acting as director and still photographer, Mahaneela has told stories for such brands as Nike, Google, Apple and Meta, among other. In the music world, she has worked with prominent record labels XL Recordings, Young Turks, and Sony Music. In addition to her filmmaking forays, she has been commissioned to photograph myriad artists including The xx, FKA Twigs, Steve Lacy, and the Grammy Award-winning Wizkid.
Mahaneela’s work has been featured in both music and fashion magazines including I-D Magazine, The Fader, Schon Magazine, and Dazed.
“Mahaneela is a remarkable talent who has an extraordinary ability to convey the essence of beauty and humanity through her films,” said Partizan founder Georges Bermann.
In her personal work, Mahaneela focuses on intimate portraiture and films that explore the experiences of people of color around the world, documenting cultures across music, youth, and the diaspora. Mahaneela’s acclaimed new short film Bumped, presented by BBC Films, is due for imminent release.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to join forces with Partizan, and I’m so excited about the creative prospects that lie ahead. Crafting authentic and impactful stories is my passion, and it’s something that Partizan excels at. As a filmmaker of both African and South-Asian descent, this moment holds particular significance since historically, such opportunities have not often been extended to individuals like me. I look forward to more growth on this journey alongside this exceptional team.”
