OUR STORY
455 Films is an award-winning production company based at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. Since 2009, we’ve partnered with premiere actors including William Shatner and the late Leonard Nimoy to produce acclaimed documentaries that have set crowdfunding records and gained international recognition, with appearances at film festivals around the globe, including a world premiere at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival.
MEET THE TEAM
DAVID ZAPPONE
Producer
David Zappone is the founder and president of 455 Films, an award-winning production company specializing in premium, character-driven documentary content. He has built and led a slate of high-profile projects in collaboration with leading talent such as William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Patrick Stewart, with work distributed across major global platforms including Netflix, Epix, HBO, Syfy, BBC America and Paramount Plus.
Zappone is known for his ability to develop commercially viable documentary content that resonates with built-in audiences, pairing strong creative execution with innovative financing models. Under his leadership, 455 Films has set multiple crowdfunding records, including the most successfully crowdfunded documentary to date, demonstrating a consistent ability to validate demand and mobilize large-scale fan engagement before distribution.
The company’s current slate includes projects featuring talent such as Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone, further reflecting its continued access to top-tier creative partnerships.
Earlier in his career, Zappone held senior leadership roles in film production and business affairs, including serving as President of Big Screen Entertainment Group. He brings a rare combination of creative, operational, and commercial expertise to developing and executing film and television content.
MIKE MANASSERI
Producer
Michael Manasseri is an award-winning film and television producer whose work has premiered at major festivals including Cannes, Sundance and SXSW. His producing credits include the upcoming romantic drama “A Love Like This,” the 2025 SXSW Audience Award winning “Mix Tape” for Binge TV and the BBC, the 2022 Cannes Camera d’Or-winning “War Pony”, and the 2020 Independent Spirit Award-winning “Give Me Liberty.” Before stepping behind the camera, Michael had an extensive acting career — including a starring role in the cult-favorite 1990s series “Weird Science” on the USA Network and early work as a child actor on Broadway.
MICHELE GOLDBERG
Producer
Michele Goldberg focuses on how 455 Films’ documentary projects get to market and reach audiences.
In recent years, she has actively shaped how films are positioned and connected to distribution, partnerships, and audience demand.
She brings a background in strategy and operations, including management consulting and experience at Nestlé and Victoria’s Secret, focused on understanding people, organizations, and what drives engagement in complex organizations.
Her work is grounded in a strong understanding of people — what resonates with audiences and what matters to collaborators — ensuring that compelling films have a clear path to get seen and make an impact.Michele’s LinkedIn
JONATHAN WRIGHT
Producer
Jonathan Wright is a film producer with a track record of developing and contributing to compelling, story-driven projects since 2017. His work spans a range of productions, including What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek DS9, To The Journey, Make-up Man, and the upcoming cinematic project Accelerant. With a strong eye for narrative and audience engagement, Jonathan has been involved in shaping projects that blend cultural relevance with commercial appeal.
In addition to his production work, Jonathan brings a unique perspective through his experience interviewing high-profile talent. He has conducted interviews with notable figures such as Kevin Costner, Vince Vaughn, Kiefer Sutherland, Wayne Gretzky, Elizabeth Hurley, and others, gaining insight into performance, storytelling, and the entertainment industry at large. This access and understanding inform his approach to filmmaking, allowing him to connect creative vision with talent-driven execution.
Drawing from a diverse professional background and a results-oriented mindset, Jonathan continues to focus on producing impactful, cinematic content with global reach.