Another Child
From the time she was 3, Leanna knew what her cousin did to her body behind closed doors was wrong. Still, shame kept her from telling anyone for many years. When she finally found the courage to tell her mother, the startling response caused Leanna to choose silent torment for several more years to come.
Why did Leanna’s mother repress her cry for help? ANOTHER CHILD is director Leanna Borsellino’s attempt to unravel the confusing maze of emotion, religion, sexuality and family history to grasp her mother’s triggers, and why she failed to protect her daughter. Finally reunited, Leanna and her mother Cyndi set out on a cross-country journey to rediscover their true selves, and to attempt to right some wrongs.
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Leanna BorsellinoDirectorA Familiar Stranger
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James HeadrickDirectorRising from the Ashes, Hourly America, Hotel Rendezvous
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Bob NiemackWriterScared Straight!, Naked Science
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Leanna BorsellinoProducerTrade In Hope
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Lyndsey RaeProducerSuperKid Academy: The Mission, Happily Ever After
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Bob NiemackProducerUntold Stories of the ER
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Lauren RanzinoProducerThe Real Housewives of Atlanta, Say Yes to the Dress
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Dave MatyisProducerMajesty Outdoors, ESPN
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Project Type:Documentary
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Runtime:1 hour 1 minute 2 seconds
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Completion Date:August 23, 2019
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Production Budget:120,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital, RED, and VHS Tape
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Florence Film AwardsFlorence
Italy
April 18, 2020
Best Feature Documentary - Annual Winner -
Florence Film AwardsFlorence
Italy
Best Original Story - February Monthly Winner -
Florence Film AwardsFlorence
Italy
Best Original Score - February Honorable Mention -
Oniros Film AwardsSaint Vincent
Italy
Best Social Justice Film - February Monthly Winner -
Oniros Film AwardsSaint Vincent
Italy
Best 1st Time Director - February Monthly Winner -
Oniros Film AwardsSaint Vincent
Italy
Best 1st Time Producer - February Honorable Mention -
Oniros Film AwardsSaint Vincent
Italy
Best Biographical Film - February Grand Jury Prize -
Oniros Film AwardsSaint Vincent
Italy
Best Song - February Monthly Winner -
Oniros Film AwardsSaint Vincent
Italy
Best Trailer - February Monthly Winner -
Venice Film AwardsVenice
Italy
Best Feature Documentary -
Queen Palm International Film FestPalm Springs, CA
United States
Silver Winner -
Prague International Monthly Film FestivalPrague
Czech Republic
Best 1st Time Director -
Reel Recovery Film FestivalStudio City
United States
November 5, 2020
California Premiere
Official Selection -
Hitchcock Film AwardsNew York City
United States
Best Documentary Feature -
Topaz Film FestivalDallas
United States
September 12, 2020
World Premiere
Festivals Premiere Feature Film -
Oniros Film AwardsSaint Vincent
Italy
August 22, 2020
Finalist - Annual Award Ceremony -
Vesuvius International Film FestivalCampania
Italy
Finalist -
Kalakari Film FestivalDewas
India
August 25, 2020
Best of the Fest -
New York International Film AwardsNew York City
August 7, 2020
Best Biographical Film -
New York International Film AwardsNew York City
United States
August 7, 2020
Best 1st Time Director - Grand Jury Award -
New York International Film AwardsNew York City
United States
August 7, 2020
Best Social Justice Film - Honorable Mention -
Sicily Independent Film AwardsSicily
Italy
August 13, 2020
Best Feature Documentary -
Cyrus International Festival of TorontoToronto
Canada
September 9, 2020
Best Social Justice Film -
Montreal Independent Film FestivalMontreal
Canada
September 4, 2020
Finalist -
Brazil International Independent Film FestivalRio de Janeiro
Brazil
Best Documentary -
Artbox International Film FestivalDewas
India
November 21, 2020
Best Documentary -
Gold Movie AwardsLondon
United Kingdom
January 14, 2021
Official Selection -
Lonely Wolf London International Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
Best Performative Documentary -
Lonely Wolf London International Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
Nominee
Best Original Score -
Brazil International Independent Film FestivalRio de Janeiro
Brazil
Best Director of Documentary -
Vegas Movie AwardsLas Vegas
United States
Best Inspirational Film -
Vegas Movie AwardsLas Vegas
United States
Best Editing -
Sherman Oaks Film FestivalSherman Oaks
United States
November 16, 2020
Best Documentary Feature -
Spotlight Documentary Film AwardsAtlanta
United States
Silver Award Winner -
American Documentary & Animation Film FestivalPalm Springs
United States
March 26, 2021
Official Selection -
Athens International Monthly Art Film FestivalAthens
Greece
Best Edit -
Milan Gold AwardsMilan
Italy
Best Feature Documentary -
Milan Gold AwardsMilan
Italy
Silver Award - Best Original Score -
Austin International Art FestivalAustin, TX
United States
Best Editing -
Red Movie AwardsReims
France
Best Original Score -
Film Invasion Los AngelesLos Angeles
United States
June 13, 2021
Best Feature Documentary -
Brazil International Monthly Film Festival
Brazil
July 23, 2021
Best Director of Documentary (annual prize)
Leanna's love of film led her to attend Oral Roberts University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Drama/Television/Film. She was honored with the award for Most Outstanding Senior in the Communication Arts Department in 2007. Leanna was also accepted into the Los Angeles Film Studies Center, a capstone program dedicated to immersing its students in real world application. She began interning at The Robert Evans Company (known for The Godfather I & II, Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby), which led to a job as the assistant of the company’s two top producers. Leanna then worked in production at Digital Domain (Titanic, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Tron), an Academy Award-winning digital effects company. After two years in the commercials division, the death of her grandmother prompted her to move home to Austin, TX to be near family. Leanna now works as the Creative Services Manager for Hope Rising, a non-profit which specializes in the rescue, recovery, and rehabilitation of minors who are survivors of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. It is here that she is able to merge her passion for filmmaking with issues close to her heart.
"The process of creating a film about your own personal story of chronic childhood sexual abuse is a very painful process to charter through. This journey took me 7 years, as initially my desire was to tell this story vicariously through my mother. Yet as the story developed and unfolded, it became clear that I couldn't honestly tell the story of my mother's childhood abuse, without also sharing my own trauma. If you have ever heard of stories of children who have suffered from years of sexual abuse, and wondered as they grew older what they would say if they were able to find their voice - I ask that you graciously recognize my film comes from the voice of such a child. I was that child. And this is my attempt to right some wrongs." - Leanna Borsellino