Omar S. Kamara is a first-generation Sierra Leonean American, Virginia native, and graduate of the College of William and Mary and the American Film Institute. His debut feature film, AFRICAN GIANTS, which he independently wrote, directed, and produced, won the Audience Award at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival and was picked up for worldwide distribution by Juno Films, which is planning a theatrical release this summer and a mult-platform digital release this coming winter. His previous short film, MASS AVE, won the Grand Prize at the Director’s Guild of America Student Film Awards, was named a Finalist in HBO's Short Film Competition at ABFF, 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. In addition to winning the Silver Screen at the Cannes Lions Young Director Award and the Franklin J. Schaffner Fellow Award at AFI, Kamara’s films have played at numerous Oscar-qualifying film festivals, including Rhode Island, HollyShorts, and the Pan African Film Festival. Kamara’s films touch on his first-generation experiences and strive to highlight and honor the African Diaspora.