BACKGROUND

Emmanuelle Mattana (she/they) is an Australian actor, writer and maker passionate about telling stories that blend the playful with the political and connect with young, queer audiences. 

Her debut play Trophy Boys toured nationally in 2024 to sold-out audiences and critical acclaim. It was Sydney Theatre Award's Best New Australian Work, BroadwayWorld Australia's Best New Play in Melbourne and Best Performance for VCE Theatre Studies Students after its inclusion on the Victorian curriculum. As well as returning to tour Australia in 2025, Trophy Boys will have its American premiere in New York at MCC Theater directed by Tony Award Winner Danya Taymor.

As a performer she is best known for leading three seasons of the International Emmy Kids® nominated tween series Mustangs FC (ABCMe) and Videoland (Netflix) which was awarded Best Comedy at Seriesmania. Other performance credits include Surviving Summer, Clickbait (Netflix), The Messenger (ABC), Ms Fisher’s MODern Murder Mysteries (Acorn TV), The Hall and Hamlet (fortyfivedownstairs).

She is currently in residence with the Sydney Theatre Company's Watershed: Writers Group and on commission with Red Stitch Actors Theatre. Previously, she was a member of Malthouse Theatre's Emerging Writer's Group and the recipient of the Equity Foundation Scholarship to study at the Atlantic Acting School in New York.

As a filmmaker, her work has been commissioned by the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, RSPCA and Victoria Together and recognised at festivals internationally, including queer kids-comedy short The Odyssey, which was awarded Best Youth Film at the St Kilda Film Festival and Best Diversity Award at the WIFT V-Fest. Feature film Fwends, which she leads and co-wrote was awarded the Caligari Prize at the 75th Berlinale, the first Australian film to receive the prestigious award.