A room; styrofoam shells from TV packages; Kente Cloth; an array of Star Wars toys with that classic 1995 “Power of the Force” Millennium Falcon; and his older brother. This was all that Amartei Armar needed to fuel his early imaginations and it served to be the beginnings of his journey towards becoming a storyteller through film.
The product of a Ghanaian father and an American mother, he found topics surrounding identity, immigration, and the human need to feel a sense of belonging both utterly fascinating and conflicting having spent most of his life moving back and forth between the two countries.
Upon completing his BFA in Film Production at the University of British Columbia, he worked for a few years in the BC Film Industry, gaining experience in modern techniques of film production.
However, inspired to make films in his "fatherland" Ghana, he relocated to Accra in 2017, teaming up with Ghanaian Film Producer, Yemoh Ike. Complimenting each other's ambition, Amartei Armar was able to write and direct several short films. His most recent work, “TSUTSUƐ,” premiered at 75th annual Cannes Film Festival as part of the official selection, competing for the Short Palme D’or; a proud first for a Ghana.
In between directing projects, he spends his time writing screenplays of Ghanaian adventures. Currently he is planning to shoot of his first feature length film, “Vagabonds,”.
Press & Awards
Distribution - Canal + (2023/24) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Best Environmental Short - 6° LIFE AFTER OIL International Film Festival (2023) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Bronze Award (Short Fiction) - FESPACO (2023) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Special Jury Mention - Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival Int. Competition (2023) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Red Sea Souk Production Award - Red Sea Film Festival (2022) - “Vagabonds Feature”
Shortlisted - Academie de César Courts Métrages de Fiction(2022/23) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Special Jury Award - CURTACINEMA (2022) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Distribution - Emirates In Flight Entertainment (2022/23) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Best Int. Short Film - Panorama International Coisa de Cinema (2022) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Best Acting Ensemble - Indie Shorts Awards Cannes (2022) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Official Selection - Leeds Int. Film Festival (2022) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Official Selection - Urbanworld Film Festival (2022) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Official Selection - Interfilm Short Film Festival (2022) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Official Selection - Melbourne Int. Film Festival (2022) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Official Selection - Chicago Int. Film Festival (2022) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Official Selection - Festival de Cannes Court Métrage (2022) - “Tsutsuɛ”
Vimeo Staff Pick (2021) - “I Like It Here”
Official Selection - Urbanworld Film Festival (2021) - “I Like It Here”
Official Selection - BronzeLens Film Festival (2021) - “I Like It Here”
Official Selection - Black Star Film Festival (2021) - “I Like It Here”
Best Director Award - Seattle Black Film Festival (2021) - “I Like It Here”
Distribution - Emirates In Flight Entertainment (2019) - “Vagabonds”
Best Humanitarian Short - 6° LIFE AFTER OIL International Film Festival (2019) - “Vagabonds”
1st Prize Short Film World Competition - Montreal World Film Festival (2018) - “Vagabonds”
National Development Award - Black Star Int.Film Festival (2018) - “Vagabonds”
Best Student Short Award - Vancouver Short Film Festival (2016) - "Arc"
Best Student Production (Nominee) - Leo Awards (2015) - "Arc"
Outstanding Achievement in Directing - U.B.C. POV Film Festival (2014) - "Arc"
Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography - U.B.C. POV Film Festival (2014) - “Arc”
Outstanding Achievement in Editing - U.B.C. POV Film Festival (2014) - “Arc”
Outstanding Achievement in Screenwriting - U.B.C. POV Film Festival (2014) - "Arc"