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Syracuse University - College of Visual and Performing Arts
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Omar Kamara

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  • Omar Kamara

Omar Kamara

VPA LA Semester

Instructor

Omar S. Kamara

5250 Lankershim Blvd., Suite 400
North Hollywood, CA 91601


Writer and director Omar S. Kamara is a first-generation Sierra Leonean American, Virginia native and graduate of The American Film Institute (AFI).

Kamara's debut feature film, “African Giants,” which he independently wrote, directed and produced, won the Audience Award at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival and was subsequently picked up for worldwide distribution by Juno Films. The film was released theatrically and is currently available on Amazon Prime. 

In addition to winning the Franklin J. Schaffner Fellow Award at AFI, Kamara was selected as an inaugural resident in Dan Lin's Rideback Rise BIPOC Content Accelerator as well as a filmmaker for the Rising Voices Program, a collaboration between Lena Waithe's Hillman Grad and Indeed, to write and direct a short that premiered at Tribeca. His previous short film, “Mass Ave,” won the grand prize at the Directors Guild of America Student Film Awards, was named a finalist in HBO's Short Film Competition at the American Black Film Festival, and was nominated for the grand prix at Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival. The film was licensed by HBO and is currently streaming on HBO Max. 

Kamara’s films touch on his first-generation experiences and strive to highlight and honor the African Diaspora.

College of Visual and Performing Arts
200 Crouse College, Syracuse, NY 13244
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