Josh Leong - Sundance Collab

Josh Leong is a Webby Award®-winning writer, director, and producer from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. His film CHICKEN world premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, won the NFFTY Jury Award, and was shortlisted for a Cannes Young Director Award. Josh was also a spotlight director with NBCUniversal’s Scene in Color Film Series (presented by Target), receiving a blind script deal from Universal Television and acclaimed film producer, Will Packer. LOST BOYS, his upcoming feature debut, was an Academy Nicholl Fellowship semifinalist and topped the 2024 Black List Recommended. Josh also directed the Webby Award®-winning short THE OTHER SIDE in Ethiopia, streaming on Peacock. The film was featured on The TODAY Show and stars Ethan Herisse from Ava DuVernay’s Emmy®-winning Netflix series WHEN THEY SEE US and Amazon MGM’s NICKEL BOYS. Having screened at ten Academy Award®-qualifying festivals and been awarded by President Obama, Josh was also a semifinalist at the Sundance Creative Producing Lab, WGI Michael Collyer Fellowship, and DGA Commercial Directors Diversity Program. His latest film, TRENTON: TO THE MOON & BACK, premiered at DOC NYC. Josh is currently supported by the Panavision New Filmmaker Program and most recently directed MURK, executive produced by Oscar®-nominated producer Scott Franklin (BLACK SWAN, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM). He actively consults in development and designs treatments for Sony Pictures, Apple TV+, Paramount, and more. Josh also serves on-ground in Ethiopia to pilot film mentorship programs in local orphanages while holding membership in the Gold House Futures Network and International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

My work:

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Chicken

Creator: Josh Leong

Chicken

Creator: Josh Leong

Inspired by true stories, CHICKEN follows Shrue – a 16-year old father admitted to a Bronx juvenile detention center. Initially overwhelmed by his new environment, the behavior of other residents, and the memory of his abusive father, Shrue learns to hatch and raise a chicken with a volunteer prison program. Despite his own trauma and lack of self-worth, Shrue discovers his story isn’t over, yet. He’s still capable of becoming a father and ultimately cares for his chick – overcoming his broken past.

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Murk

Creator: Josh Leong

Murk

Creator: Josh Leong

7-year old Nicole and her deeply loving father excitedly settle into a secluded house for the weekend. Despite playing make-believe, eating s’mores, and painting rocks, Nicole begins to observe strange behavior from her father.She's soon captivated by a mysterious painting and a dead pond in the backyard. When a strange woman visits their house, Nicole attempts to protect her father from impending danger. Despite her father ultimately being taken away, Nicole discovers a beautiful fish in the murky pond – proof that new life can still come from broken places. Inspired by a true story.www.stopthespiral.com

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The Other Side

Creator: Josh Leong

The Other Side

Creator: Josh Leong

Set against the Ethiopian abandoned children crisis, “The Other Side” follows two orphan brothers faced with the reality of never being adopted. Inspired by a true story.Days before his 18th birthday, Abel (Ethan Herisse, "When They See Us") finds himself about to age out of his orphanage and leave his younger brother, Kiya, behind. But when a prospective adopting couple threatens to break their relationship apart, the brothers wrestle with waiting for a dream that may never be fulfilled.To learn more about how "The Other Side" is working to promote local solutions in Ethiopia, please visit www.theothersideshortfilm.com.