Gary Leva is a director, cinematographer, and producer of documentary films. He has been involved in the film industry since 1989 and has worked on over 20 productions.
Leva was born in Hartford, Connecticut and grew up in New Haven. He studied film production at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. After graduation, he began working as a cinematographer, editor, and director on a variety of documentaries and feature films.
His first feature film, "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" (1998), was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary. Leva then went on to direct "The Long Way Home" (1999), which earned him an Emmy nomination.
Leva's other notable documentary films include "The Fog of War" (2003), which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and "The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers" (2009), which was also nominated for an Academy Award.
Leva's work has been featured in many festivals and awards shows, including the Sundance Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival, the International Documentary Association Awards, and the Academy Awards.
In addition to his film work, Leva has also served as an executive producer on many television series and documentaries, including "The War Room" (1996), "The First 48" (2004-2007), and "The Undefeated" (2011).
Leva has been a professor at the American Film Institute for nearly a decade, where he has taught classes on documentary filmmaking and cinematography.
Leva has been recognized for his work with numerous awards, including a Peabody Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Directors Guild of America Award. His films have also been honored with numerous other awards.
Leva is a passionate advocate for documentary filmmaking and has been involved in many organizations that support documentary filmmakers. He is a long time member of the International Documentary Association and served as a board member from 2006 to 2011. He is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the International Association of Cinematographers.
Leva continues to direct and produce films that explore social issues, history, and politics. He has said that he hopes his films can help “initiate dialogue about and effect change in our world.” Gary Leva is an acclaimed documentary filmmaker who has been making an impact in the film industry
