Leonard Amanya has been a Juror on several film festivals on the African Continent including Zanzibar International Film Festival (Zanzibar),Durban International Film Festival, Sotambe Zambia International Festival (Zambia), Mashariki African Film Festival (Rwanda) among others. He has worked as a curator and programmer on the Uganda Film Festival and works as an officer in charge of Film,Video and Cinematoraphy at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). Leonard has10 years’ experience working as a film mentor, curator, consultant and as well as Juror on the International platform.
Leonard ventured into producing and directing films with aim of creating content that has a positive impact on the society and as also an opportunity to learn about the opportunities and challenges that face the local filmmaker. This would help advise the government on the best practices to support the local film industry in Uganda.
Leonard recently film “Crystal-Countless Misfortune” where he is credited as Producer and Director has been his most successful film so far.His first feature film among many to come.
The film has won Best Story and Best Actor ( Female) in a supporting Role at Universal Movie Awards (Nigeria), Honorable Mention for Best Educational Film at Fox International Film Festival (Poland), Best Actress at the Future of Film Awards (North Macedonia), Best Actor in a Feature Film at the 1st Monthly Film Festival ( Belgrade, Bulgaria),Best Actress at Tokyo Film Awards(Tokyo), Best Actress at Budapest Movie Awards (Hungary), Special Recognition at DJẬRFOGO International Film Festival (Cape Verde), Silicon Valley International Film Festival (California-USA), TopShot International Film Festival (Warshaw- Poland), Best First Time Director in the Feature Category at Hercules Independent Film Festival (Sevilla/Spain), Best International Film at the Kuumba Film Festival (New York, USA),Kollywood International Film Festival-Chennai, (India)
Other selections include The African Film Festival (TAFF) (Dallas-Texas/USA), Zambia International Film Festival (Lusaka, Zambia), 9th edition of the Cotonou International Digital Cinema Festival (Benin),Nominee for Best Young Actress, Best Poster and Best Opening Credits at Fox International Film Festival (Poland), 8&Halfilm Awards (Italy), Africa International Human Rights Film Festival (Lagos, Nigeria),Eko International Film Festival 2023, International Film Festival of Malacca-(Malaysia), Sacramento Pan African International Film Festival (USA).
Leonard has documentary films to his credit “Flight to Extinction” produced in 2019 through the support of Aga Khan University (Giving Nature a Voice).The documentary has an official Selection at the Best Film Awards film festival for Best Documentary Award 2022/23 (Czech Republic) and selected at the African Film Festival (New Zealand).The other documentary-Life Continues at documentary about Single Mothers was co-directed as a student film with Kampala Film School.
Leonard Amanya has been recognised in California for his outstanding achievement in using film as a tool for bring positive change to the world by Bob Wieckowski, the 10th District State Senator and Alex Lee, the Assembly Member of the State of California as well as Congressman Ro Khana,the U.S House of Representatives.
Leonard is developing his next script “The Wrestler” a feature Film to produced in 2023.
PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES
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