Leanna Bonamici | Christian Sesma | Sharon Bell | Carole Sumner Krechman | Cheryl Blythe | Christiane Joubert
Leanna Bonamici
Leanna Bonamici, is the Producer, Director, and Creator of the SHORTS SHOWCASE television show featuring short films from around the world, which is currently on PBS station, KVCR, airing in 18 million homes throughout Southern California. She is also Producer, Director and Co-Founder of Desert Cities Network: What you Want. When you Want it!(TM) currently being transformed into the Coachella Valley’s go to resource center for local programming and a video reference guide for businesses, attractions, restaurants, spa’s and all the great events that make up the Desert Cities!
In 1998, Leanna founded her own production company, now Casablanca Studio Productions, which has served as in-house production for Casablanca Studios. Under the CSP banner, Leanna has produced numerous corporate projects. A sampling of clients include: Tony Robbins, Gilda's Club Desert Cities, Angel View Crippled Children’s Foundation, Palm Springs Art Museum, Desert Samaritans for Seniors and Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped. Other projects Leanna produced include: the documentary "Desert Hot Springs: Home of the Healing Waters" (with director and co-producer Maggie Abbott); a half-hour television show about restaurants called "Two Forks Up"and a variety of other product for KCET, including Producing and Directing 6 half-hour cooking shows. She recently produced the “Peace in the Streets” song and video for the Peacemaker Corps, an international organization providing non violent conflict resolution skills for youth. www.peacemakercorps.org
After purchasing an old post office building in 1999, the Bonamici family built Casablanca Studios, a state-of-the-art, full-service sound stage and production facility for film, television, commercial, infomercial, music videos, webisodes, corporate projects and still photography located in the Palm Springs area. Leanna was Vice President and Head of Operations since its inception.
Leanna is extremely active in the Coachella Valley's cultural and community affairs. In 2001, she founded the Palm Springs chapter of Women in Film and Television. Women In Film is an international nonprofit organization founded in Los Angeles in 1973 to empower, promote, nurture and mentor women and men in the entertainment, communications and media industries. Today, Palm Springs Women in Film and Television is the 38th Chapter of Women in Film and Television International, which connects to over 10,000 members worldwide.
Her many civic activities include: being a member of Media Mavens, serving as a Pegasus Partner for the Pegasus Riding Academy of the Desert; The Desert Women's Council which produces the annual "Hike 4 Hope," benefiting the City of Hope and many more. Her many awards and honors include receiving the 2007 Women of Distinction in the Arts Award from the National League of American Pen Women. In 2009, the City of Indian Wells bestowed her with their highest honor, naming her an ATHENA Award winner for Professional Excellence.