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.2 3

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.2 5
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.3 4

Personal Life and Other Initiatives

Outside of his film work, Amar is a father of two, including a child with special needs.1 2 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.