Amia Voluntad is a Maui based filmmaker whose focus is to make films that showcase the true character of Yeshua while making people think in a deeper, more profound way.
Amia Voluntad is a Maui based filmmaker whose focus is to make films that showcase the true character of Yeshua while making people think in a deeper, more profound way.
As a child, Amia developed a passion for storytelling by creating plays and videos with her dolls using her parents’ old camera. Early on, she trained in acting and starred in a variety of stage roles before being cast in her first short film role as Desireé in “Iron Play,” directed by Jasmine McLaurin.
With her growing interests in performing arts, Amia trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop from 2012 through 2017 at Addicted to Dance, Philadelphia Dance Theater, and The Rock School for Dance Education. After completing her dance training, Amia traveled to Mexico on a mission trip. This significant and purposeful adventure reignited her drive for writing and filmmaking.
In 2017, Amia’s family moved to Maui and she joined an environmental film club, Maui Huli’au Foundation. While a member of Huliau, she completed two award-winning films, "Earth Doctor" (2018) and "The Ocean: Our Foundation '' (2018).
During her high school years, Amia wrote, directed, produced, and acted in her own independent short films, including, "In the Belly of the Beast" (2020), "The Search" (2020), "Wake Up" (2021), and Nā Nalu Nui (2021).
Her independent short film, “Silence” (2021), starring Ayana Milkias, has been accepted into the Flint Youth Film Festival, the Hawai’i International Film Festival, won the Best Actress Award in the Newark International Film Festival Youth Festival, and won multiple awards at the 29th annual Christian Youth Film Festival.
Her short film "The Reconnection" (2022) also received acknowledgements, having its premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival, winning Best Editing at the Christian Youth Film Festival, and receiving an Award of Recongnition from the Accolade Global Film Competition. Both "Silence" and "The Reconnection" were also nominated for Best Picture Teen Division at the Christian Youth Film Festival.
In 2022, Amia partnered with Bridge Builder Cinematic Arts to create a short documentary called "A Living Ocean" (2022). The film had it's premiere at the Panasonic Global Summit and also screened at the World Whale Film Festival.
An important aspect featured consistently in Amia's work is the connection between people and nature being connected as a part of God's creation.
In 2018, she founded Written Truth Productions with the aim of creating thought-provoking and moving films that inspire people to Know God, be connected to creation, and do what He's called us to do.