Leonard Amanya is a distinguished curator with the Uganda Film Festival, where he expertly curates films, crafts communication strategies, and orchestrates the seamless execution of the festival's diverse elements. His influence and expertise extend well beyond Uganda, having been sought after as a juror at some of the most prestigious international film festivals. Leonard has served as the Chief Jury at the Zambia International Film Festival, the Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Awards (AMVCA), the Zanzibar International Film Festival, and the Durban International Film Festival, among others. His recent selection as a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (International Emmy Awards) further underscores his esteemed standing in the global film community.

A testament to his artistic prowess, Leonard is also an independent film producer and director under the banner of Amaka Film Productions. His acclaimed work, "Crystal - Countless Misfortune," has earned a multitude of nominations and awards at over 20 film festivals worldwide. This film’s success includes an Honorable Mention in the Best Audience Award category at the Hollywood African Cinema Convention in the USA. Leonard’s filmography also includes "Flight to Extinction," a poignant documentary about the Crested Crane, Uganda's national bird, symbolizing the nation on its flag.

Leonard's impact on the film industry extends into the regulatory sphere as an Officer for Film & Cinema at the Uganda Communications Commission in Kampala, where he ensures industry compliance, monitors operations, and upholds high standards for film and video content. His commitment to nurturing the industry’s growth is also evident in his roles as a Project Officer for the Uganda Content Development Support Programme (Content Fund) and as a Project Officer for the Annual Communications Innovations Awards from 2010 to 2017.

With over a decade of experience as a film mentor, curator, consultant, and juror, Leonard Amanya is a revered figure in the global film industry. His dedication to creating content with a positive societal impact drives his work, informing government policies that support Uganda's local film industry.

Leonard’s most successful project to date, "Crystal - Countless Misfortune," has received numerous accolades, including Best Story and Best Supporting Actress at the Universal Movie Awards (Nigeria), Honorable Mention for Best Educational Film at the Fox International Film Festival (Poland), and Best Actress at the Future of Film Awards (North Macedonia). The film has also been recognized at film festivals worldwide, including Tokyo, Budapest, Belgrade, Sevilla, and New York, among many others.

In addition to his feature films, Leonard has produced notable documentary works such as "Flight to Extinction" (2019), supported by Aga Khan University, and "Life Continues," a student film co-directed at Kampala Film School that explores the lives of single mothers.

Leonard's contributions to film as a tool for positive change have earned him recognition in California from Bob Wieckowski, the 10th District State Senator, Alex Lee, the Assembly Member of the State of California, and Congressman Ro Khana of the U.S. House of Representatives.

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