Biography

Max Leonida was originally born in Milan (Italy) and started directing his first short films with an old Super 8 camera at the age of 10. After the high school graduation he studied Literature and Philosophy at the Catholic University of Milan, attending at the same time the prestigious Accademia de' Filodrammatici to learn acting and directing. In 1992 he founded his first theater company "La Compagnia dei 13" and in 1994 he created his second company "Compagnia Teatro del Sacro" touring with his theater shows all over Italy.

On November 2003 he founded, together with his wife Paola, the video production company Astarox Srl with which he developed and created original European TV formats, media contents and feature films.

Since living in Los Angeles. he directed multiple internationally awarded films (Mandala [ITA] 2008, Backward [ITA/USA] 2010, Beauty in the Broken [USA] 2013, Memento Mori [USA] 2014, A Very Lovely Dress [USA] 2016) together with some popular mainstream TV series ("Snaparazzi" - Sony Pictures, "Fai da Te Facile" - SKY) plus countless amongst international commercials, music videos and documentaries.

He has participated to international Festivals (Sundance Selections 2008, Cannes Marché du Film 2010, Salerno Film Festival 2010, Columbia Gorge International Film Festival 2014, LA Shorts Awards 2016). He's been head of the jury of several international contests and festivals (Big City Life 2007, 48 Film Project 2013, Umbria in Sugar Land 2017).

He has the academic teaching role of "Film Artist-in-Residence" at the CRI (Communication Research Institute) of the prestigious William Penn University (IA).

He also owns - together with his wife Paola Cipollina - the company Astarox Productions, LLC: a Film & TV development corporation that has started a competitive, smart and revolutionary filming policy based on attractive incentives, easy-to-obtain film permits, thorough location scouting, rich production directory and a dedicated professional film and artistic community.

He is busy working on new international feature films and TV productions ("Silent Sins", "The Book of Judah", "Lighting Ghost", "Saving Billie Valentine", "Manant").
- IMDb mini biography by: New Reporter Press

He owned for three years (2000 - 2003) a theater in Milan: it was called "Teatro Estremo" (Estreme Theater). One of his most famous play (which he wrote, directed, played and scored) was "Mutilazioni" (Mutilations).

He served in Italian military forces from July 1995 to August 1996 as a "Bersagliere" (running/sniper). The service has been mandatory for all the male Italian citizens over 18 years of age until 2000 (then the enrollment stopped being compulsory and became just volunteer).