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AMAR LOHANA

Producer

Amar Lohana is a filmmaker and entrepreneur based in Toronto, Canada. He is the co-founder and producer at Akelo Media, a documentary film production company dedicated to telling impactful stories.23

Career Background

Prior to his work in film, Amar had a 15-year career in technology and finance in New York City, including a position at Goldman Sachs.1 He then transitioned to being a stay-at-home dad for two years, which he credits with giving him valuable perspective that informs his current work.2

Filmmaking and Akelo Media

In 2020, Amar founded Akelo Media, a Toronto-based documentary film production company.1 Through this company, he creates thought-provoking films that explore important social and cultural issues.1 Some of his notable works include:

  • Editing and producing the feature documentary "The Devil's Advocate" (2021), which examines the concept of "justice for all" through the lens of defense attorneys representing accused terrorists.25

  • Producing "Taking the Lead" (2018) and "What Never Happened" (2020).5

Industry Involvement

Amar is actively involved in the Canadian filmmaking industry:

  • He serves on the board of the Documentary Organization of Canada as a member-at-large and Treasurer.2
  • In 2022, he participated in the Creative Producer's Think Tank organized by DOC Institute, focusing on equity in documentary production.2
  • He was selected as one of 22 participants for the 2023 Access BIPOC Producers program, a mentorship initiative by the National Screen Institute, Canada Media Fund, and European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs.34

Personal Life and Other Initiatives

Outside of his film work, Amar is a father of two, including a child with special needs.12 In 2017, he founded the Toronto Dads Group, which has grown into a community of over 500 fathers who support each other in navigating parenthood.1

Amar Lohana's diverse experiences in finance, parenting, and filmmaking have shaped his approach to creating meaningful documentaries and contributing to the film industry in Canada.

Highlights

Dec 14 · linkedin

Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC) statement on freedom of speech:

https://lnkd.in/gXyBcGee

"As a member-driven organization dedicated to promoting, supporting and developing the art form of independent documentary creation, the Documentary Organization of Canada is deeply concerned about the culture of fear that is on the rise in Canada and worldwide in the context of the arts and media sectors’ perspectives on the Israel-Gaza war, and its silencing effect on documentary creators.

At the heart of DOC’s mission is to champion the essential role of documentary in fostering an inclusive and equitable democratic society. We believe that the diverse creative, social, cultural and political contributions we make as independent documentary creators from a broad spectrum of points of view is crucial to civic engagement and the functioning of a just society.

We are concerned about acts of violence and an escalation of divisiveness with regard to both antisemitism and Islamophobia in Canada. The Documentary Organization of Canada is disturbed to see the resulting increasing suppression of free speech, and we note the disproportionate silencing of supporters of Palestinians. Throughout Canada and the world, the repercussions of speaking out in public in support of Palestine have led to censorship, job loss, sanctions, deprogramming, silencing, the creation of blacklists and a climate of fear. The United Nations recognizes this is an issue of global concern that impacts all in civil society.

Palestinian voices must be heard alongside Israeli voices. Speaking out in support of Palestine is legitimate Charter-protected political expression. As documentary makers we cherish the freedom in our society to express political opinions without the fear of reprisals and threats to our livelihood. The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has said “The current condemnation of protest and freedom of expression, particularly targeting Palestinian and Muslim communities, has resulted in escalating levels of Islamophobia, harassment, racial profiling, and surveillance akin to that seen post-9/11”.

We condemn the acts of Islamophobia and antisemitism that have risen in Canada and as documentary makers, we recognize the links between media narratives and violence in real life. Freedom of speech, a free press, and safe spaces for diverse independent voices coming from a plurality of perspectives is essential to democracy."

Dec 19 · linkedin

We're hiring a part time office/production assistant. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in working in documentary film or podcast journalism.

Related Questions

What inspired Amar Lohana to transition from finance to filmmaking?
How did Amar's experience as a stay-at-home dad influence his approach to filmmaking?
What are some of the most impactful documentaries produced by Akelo Media?
How does Amar Lohana's work at Akelo Media address under-reported stories?
What role does Amar Lohana play in the Documentary Organization of Canada?
AMAR LOHANA
AMAR LOHANA, photo 1
AMAR LOHANA, photo 2
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Location

Toronto, Ontario, Canada