Azmari in Hollywood

A lecture by filmmaker Leelai Demoz

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Duration: 46:27

Academy Award nominated producer Leelai Demoz will give a multi-dimensional snapshot of working in the film, television and theater business. Demoz received his first SAG job at 13 and has worked in front and behind the camera ever since; he will share his experiences as a first generation African immigrant artist.

Demoz has had a varied and illustrious career in the arts; he was nominated for Academy and Emmy awards for the film “On TipToe,” which premiered on HBO.  The film, shot in South Africa, is a profile of the singing group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Additionally, his work has been seen on MTV, Discovery, BET, VH1, Travel Channel and Lifetime. He ran Jeremy Piven’s production company, Luscious Mayhem, for several years.

He also directed a set of ‘get out the vote’ public service announcements for the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation. The spots featured LL Cool J and Alicia Keys.

Outside of the arts,  Demoz has consulted with the United Institute of Peace. He served on a working group for the William Jefferson Clinton Foundations Rwanda initiative.  He was president of the Schoolhouse Foundation in New York City. The foundation partnered with JP Morgan to provide $200 million in bond financing to build public schools in New York City. It was the first public/private partnership of its kind there.

As an actor, he has appeared at leading national and international theaters, ranging from The National Theater of Great Britain to Broadway to regional theaters in the United States.

Published: Thursday, March 22, 2012