Cortlan McManus was born in Traverse City, Michigan and worked professionally in New York City for more than one decade before moving to Dubai, UAE in 2010.

He has studied in the US, Mexico, and Spain earning Bachelor degrees in Spanish and Anthropology (magna cum laude), a Master of Fine Arts degree in Integrated Media Arts (supported through one of two scholarships awarded to incoming classes of 30+) and is presently completing a Master of Science in Information Sciences. In addition, he has certificates in 3d Animation and Visual Effects from NYU; Latin American Studies from ASU; and New Technologies in Performance from Sarah Lawrence. He has directed and produced films, videos, interactive and social media projects through his production company ReBirth Cinema LLC in more then 20 countries, including Cuba, Yemen, Iran, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Spain, Germany, Argentina and in many of the 50 US States. He has produced or co-produced integrated communication, social media and brand awareness projects for clients including, UNDP, Arab Gulf Fund, Clear Channel Communications, New York Public Library, New York State Board of Education, Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education, Minnesota Vikings (American Football style team), Hain Celestial (one of the World's largest natural and organic food companies) as well as Grammy-award winning artists, including Alicia Keys, Patti LaBelle and Sean Kingston. He has interviewed some of the highest ranking UN officials (UNDP Administrator) and Ambassadors (Algerian Mohamed Sahnoun). In addition to English, he speaks Spanish fluently with working knowledge of Arabic, Persian and French.

He is happily married to the woman of his dreams.