May 10, 2017

Liyana is set to premiere at the LA Film Festival this June.  The festival announced its 2017 competition lineup today and Liyana will be having its world premiere there as one of the 10 films in the documentary competition.

Directed by Aaron and Amanda Kopp and produced in association with Shine Global, this documentary/animated film follows a talented group of orphaned children in Swaziland as they collaborate to write an original African tale about Liyana, a girl on a dangerous quest. Inspired by the children’s darkest memories and brightest dreams, their fictional character’s journey reveals parallels between her fate and that of the young storytellers.

Aaron Kopp grew up in Swaziland and he and Amanda have been working on Liyana for the past 8 years.  While it is their first feature as directors, they both have significant experience working as co-producers and cinematographers on such films as the Oscar®-winning documentary Saving Face and the recent Sundance film The Hunting Ground.   Other team members include the rising animation talent Shofela Coker, Oscar® winner Daniel Junge as a producer, and editor Davis Coombe who has edited Emmy®- and Oscar®-winning documentaries. British/Zimbabwean actress Thandie Newton (“West World,” Crash, Mission Impossible II) is an Executive Producer on the film along with Susan MacLaury, Albie Hecht and Lisa Schejola Akin.

Liyana will screen Saturday, June 17th at 12:35pm

Individual tickets go on sale to Film Independent Members beginning next Tuesday, May 16 and to the general public on May 23. For more pass, ticket and event information visit tickets.lafilmfestival.com.