Biography
Primarily now a writer, Leilani trained in acting with The Impulse Company under the mentorship of Artistic Director Scott Williams and has studied with teachers from The Actors Studio, New York and cult British director Ken Campbell. She practices an ethos of truthfulness of expression and a collaborative mindset that permeates all her work where she mentors and supports others in addition to pursuing her own career.
Having spent the early part of her career on stage, Leilani applied her training to the wonders of film when she joined OTTfilms and in addition to acting and screenwriting began directing and producing. Her directorial debut Death of the Dinosaurs was nominated for a British Independent Film Award and her short films have been seen and sold around the world. With her focus now entirely on on writing Leilani brings her extensive training in artistic expression to TV and Film screenplays, with a preference for historical adaptation but also given her prior success in scripted shortform drama she has a keen interest in new media including the potential for vertical video and VR technology. She has been blogging for the London Screenwriters' Festival since it's inception in 2010 and occasionally writes film and event articles for online publications and film festivals. Leilani remains a member of Equity UK and is an alumni of the 2019 London Screenwriters' Festival Talent Campus.
Film Acting Credits include Lead Villainess Hazel Kismet in Signal Failure, The Librarian in Patient 17 and Team Builder in Que Sera Sera, Also Gail in The Last Day, Mel in Bad Juju, Short films inclue Lottie in Gangsters, Ruth in Hostel, Jenny in Interruptions, Titania in The Folio Project, Moira in Moira Kelly and The Gypsy in Tarot (Cannes SFC finalist 2007).
Theatre Acting Credits include Ken Campbell’s live impro show Clash of the Frightened, Teresa in The Memory of Water, Grace in Bus Stop, Natalia in I am a Camera, and Mrs Barry in Playhouse Creatures. During the pandemic of 2020 she performed Shylock as part of Butterfly Theatre's 'We Are Human' project celebrating our shared humanity through the words of Shakespeare and released globally as part of his birthday celebrations on 23rd April 2020.
Having spent the early part of her career on stage, Leilani applied her training to the wonders of film when she joined OTTfilms and in addition to acting and screenwriting began directing and producing. Her directorial debut Death of the Dinosaurs was nominated for a British Independent Film Award and her short films have been seen and sold around the world. With her focus now entirely on on writing Leilani brings her extensive training in artistic expression to TV and Film screenplays, with a preference for historical adaptation but also given her prior success in scripted shortform drama she has a keen interest in new media including the potential for vertical video and VR technology. She has been blogging for the London Screenwriters' Festival since it's inception in 2010 and occasionally writes film and event articles for online publications and film festivals. Leilani remains a member of Equity UK and is an alumni of the 2019 London Screenwriters' Festival Talent Campus.
Film Acting Credits include Lead Villainess Hazel Kismet in Signal Failure, The Librarian in Patient 17 and Team Builder in Que Sera Sera, Also Gail in The Last Day, Mel in Bad Juju, Short films inclue Lottie in Gangsters, Ruth in Hostel, Jenny in Interruptions, Titania in The Folio Project, Moira in Moira Kelly and The Gypsy in Tarot (Cannes SFC finalist 2007).
Theatre Acting Credits include Ken Campbell’s live impro show Clash of the Frightened, Teresa in The Memory of Water, Grace in Bus Stop, Natalia in I am a Camera, and Mrs Barry in Playhouse Creatures. During the pandemic of 2020 she performed Shylock as part of Butterfly Theatre's 'We Are Human' project celebrating our shared humanity through the words of Shakespeare and released globally as part of his birthday celebrations on 23rd April 2020.
