Amel Tresnjic

Although born in Bosnia, Amel was raised in Germany and Australia as his family was forced to escape the 1992 genocide in Bosnia. His passion for film-making began when he was a very young boy. From the age of nine, he developed a tradition of watching films every night until he fell asleep and always imagined how he would grow up to become an inspirational storyteller. In 2012, Amel began to realize his dream with the success of his first film '2012 Crossing Over: A New Beginning' (2012). A feature documentary loaded with numerous esoteric themes that form a greater perspective of our worlds current state and provides an empowering message on how every individual can contribute in making it a more peaceful place. The film was made with a large crew of just one person, himself. He raised all the funds for this project, in addition to writing, directing, filming, editing and producing it. He released the film on YouTube for free with hope that the positive message would reach many. Without any paid ads or mainstream support, the film went viral and was seen by more than 1/2 million people in only the first three weeks. In the first week of release, the film was offered a Hollywood distribution deal, but Amel respectfully declined due to the terms that the free version needed to be removed from the Internet. In an interview, Amel said that the message of the film which is to inform, empower and inspire positive transformation in humankind is far more important than any revenue. Today, the critically acclaimed film has become an Internet blockbuster. It received numerous 5/5 star reviews and has been listed and rated 8/10 stars on various networks such as Films For Action (under vision, philosophy and peace), Culture Unplugged (under activism), Documentary Heaven (under spirituality), Top Documentary Films (under conspiracy) and many more. It was also listed next to 'Zeitgeist' in the Disclose TV's 'Top 300 Most Mind Expanding Documentary Films' and was added to Archive.org for cultural preservation. The films strong and positive message inspired his world-wide fans to host numerous screenings in Australia, Germany, Bosnia, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Canada, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Russia, United Kingdom as well as hundreds of online channels. His dedicated supporters even translated the film into more than 9 languages. It received an Honor Award 'New Age of Activism 2012 and Beyond' and was added to a children's clinic video library in Hawaii to help youth overcome physical and mental illnesses. The film was screened at the Washington DC Correction Center as well as included in their video library to help encourage positive change in prisoners. It inspired a song entitled 'Cross Over' by an up and coming singer/songwriter Johnna Rae. It also inspired author Mark MacNicol to include references of the Yuga Cycle and human consciousness in his newly released novel 'Finn McCool Rises.' The film's success in inspiring positive change, in turn inspired Amel to make it even better. One year after the release of the first edition on YouTube, he released a much improved 'Final Edition' of the film. '2012 Crossing Over: A New Beginning Final Edition' is also available free on YouTube. Inspired by the international success of his first feature documentary film, '2012 Crossing Over: A New Beginning,' (Now seen by over 4million+ on YouTube alone) Amel recognised his personal signature to film-making. Through the art of cinema, his aim is to produce films of a moral nature. Films that inspire a better world. His second feature documentary entitled 'Marathon Day: Boston 15-4-13,' a perspective film which compares mainstream and independent media's accounts of the Boston Marathon bombing attacks, received top ratings and has been seen by over 200.000+ on both YouTube & Vimeo. Amel recently released his third feature documentary entitled 'Singfest: The Literacy of Music.' This uplifting and inspirational film takes audiences on a journey into the world of music and how music, as a literacy in schools, unlocks student's full potential and transforms their learning. Since the films release 'Singfest: The Literacy of Music' has been critically acclaimed and become a multi-award winning film. The film won the Golden Fox Award for Best Documentary Film at CICFF Calcutta International Cult Film Festival 2019. Out of 61 fantastic documentary films nominated for this prestigious annual award, the film won first place. In California at The IndieFEST Film Awards 2018, the film won the Award of Merit - Special Mention for Best Documentary Short and was awarded the prestigious IndieFEST 24K Gold statuette. The film was publicly voted Top 3 Finalist for Best Film at the Toronto Lift-Off Online Film Festival. Out of 800 entries the film won Best Cinematography in a Documentary Film at the London International Filmmaker Festival. The film was also nominated for Best Sound Design. In California at the 2019 Accolade Global Film Competition, the film won five prestigious awards. Award of Merit for Documentary Short, Editing, Sound Editing / Sound Mixing, Use of Film for Social Change and Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational. The film was awarded the prestigious Accolade 24K Golden Constellation Statuette. The film has been officially selected at the 2020 World Music and International Film Festival and has been nominated for Best Feature Documentary in Music and Best Director in a Documentary. Most recently, at the 2019 Impact Docs Awards, the film won four awards. Award of Merit for Documentary Feature, Directing, Editing and Sound Editing/Mixing. The film was awarded the prestigious Impact Docs 24K Golden Statuette. The film won the Latitude Silver Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2019 Latitude Film Awards. Singfest: The Literacy of Music is currently nominated in 3 categories at the 2019 Madrid International Film Festival: Best Feature Documentary, Best Original Score and Best Director in a Feature Documentary. It is also nominated for Best Feature Documentary and Best Director in a Documentary at the 2020 World Music and Independent Film Festival and Best Documentary Feature at the 2019 Los Angeles Film Awards. Singfest: The Literacy of Music is available free on Amel's YouTube channel. Alongside numerous projects for his clientele, Amel is currently in production of his new entirely self-made feature documentary 'Spiritual Awakening: Journey to the Inner Self.' Although now a successful and very busy filmmaker, Amel still watches films every night until he falls asleep."