MANUELA WENGER MANUELA WENGER

When SHE stepped onto the red carpet at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, she didn’t just arrive; she owned the moment. With every step, she turned heads, her gown catching the light as effortlessly as her confidence captured the room. She didn’t need direction from the paparazzi; her presence alone dictated the shot. This wasn’t a debutante fumbling her way into fame. This was Manuela Wenger, a Swiss powerhouse whose journey is as riveting as the films she now stars in. We first met her near the African Pavilion, where her infectious smile and approachable warmth made her impossible to overlook. “I’m Manuela Wenger,” she said, her handshake firm yet inviting. Weeks later, she sat down with Her Voyage to share her story.

When faced with the quintessential question, Manuela didn’t flinch. “Not an easy one,” she laughed, “but I’ll try.”; Her answer? A tapestry of identity: “I believe in oneness; we’re all connected in different ways. I’m the second of four siblings, a farmer’s daughter, but I always felt like a square peg in a round hole. I’m an agricultural engineer by education and a woman with dreams and vision.” A pause, a smile, and then: “I think that covers it.”

Manuela’s story begins far from the glamour of Cannes in the Swiss countryside, where she grew up on a farm surrounded by nature, animals, and endless horizons. It was here that her dreams first took root. “I always knew what I wanted,” she said. Her first taste of the spotlight came with a farmer’s calendar project. Out of 300 hopefuls, she was one of 12 chosen. A moment that hinted at her future in front of the camera. But her love affair with storytelling started long before that. Manuela’s teenage years revolved around horses, particularly her best friend, an ex-racehorse named Golden Flame.

“He was my confidant,”; she reminisced. “Horses are incredible. They feel everything; they understand so much more than people realize.” When Golden Flame passed away, the loss left a void that still lingers.”He taught me about empathy, trust, and patience qualities that later shaped my acting.

Those long rides through the quiet countryside gave me time for selfreflection, which allowed me to recognize and embrace my own qualities and idiosyncrasies.”

When her equestrian chapter ended, Manuela chose an entirely new path. Moving to Zurich, she balanced a career as an agricultural engineer with acting classes and auditions. “It wasn’t easy” she admitted. “My family always assumed I would remain on the farm, to continue the legacy. But I knew I needed to follow my own path.” Her transition wasn’t without its battles. “You have to trust your inner voice,” she said. “Dreams are for the brave, and you can’t wait for anyone else’s approval. You just do it and thank yourself later.”

The Spotlight Beckons

Manuela’s perseverance began to pay off in 2024, when she gained acclaim for roles in Velo Gang and Follow Us #ICarus. Velo Gang premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Warsaw International Film Festival and went on to screen globally, from Beijing to Orlando. In 2025, she took her career to the next level, landing her first lead role in the Swiss feature film Cordula and securing a spot in another major production set to begin later this year. Her dedication to her craft shines through her rigorous training, which includes an intensive at Giles Foreman Centre for Acting in London, sessions with Seamus McNally (Orange is the New Black, Black Mirror) and Academy Awardwinning director Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby, Casino Royale).

When asked what advice she’d give her younger self, Manuela’s response was both tender and empowering:

“Don’t be afraid. Let your fire burn bright. Understand your power; only you know your full potential. Don’t act small, even when the world tries to shrink you. And most importantly, follow your inner enthusiasm.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MANUELA WENGER? WHAT’S NEXT FOR MANUELA WENGER?

As our conversation drew to a close, Manuela flashed a knowing smile. “What’s next? Keep chasing my dreams. Keep living fully.” From a quiet farm in Switzerland to the bright lights of Cannes, Manuela Wenger is proof that bold dreams belong to those who dare to chase them. Thank you, Manuela, for sharing your inspiring story with Her Voyage.