From the moment Manning Franks could check out VHS tapes from his local library, he had a cinematic spark in his eye. That lifelong love of film eventually led him to become an Emmy-nominated photojournalist and film critic for WFMY News 2 in his hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina. At WFMY, Manning created “News 2 Reviews,” a segment where he writes, films, and edits movie reviews as on-air talent in the Piedmont-Triad with a mission to make film criticism engaging, accessible, and thoughtful for everyday viewers. Beyond film, Manning also serves as a multi-skilled journalist, telling uplifting, community-centered stories that spotlight the people and places of North Carolina. He is a graduate of High Point University, where he earned a B.A. in Communication. He now lives in Greensboro with his partner, Kimmie Nauman. Manning has been a CCA member since 2025.