By Elaine Church
It is with a heavy heart that we at PSWIFT have to announce the passing of the Founder of our chapter of Women in Film & Television.
When Leanna moved to the desert from L.A many years ago – and with the help of her dad, Fred, she purchased the old Post Office in Desert Hot Springs and turned it into a functioning film studio, known as Casablanca Studios. The idea was to encourage film makers from L.A to bring their productions and commercials and utilize our lovely locations.
Her main vision was to build a chapter of likeminded women to bring productions to the Coachella Valley. There were several local members of the L.A chapter of this international organization, who had to travel to Santa Barbara, or L.A to attend monthly breakfast meetings.
She contacted the L.A group and asked for permission to start a chapter in Palm Springs. They were very supportive, especially iconic, award-winning film producer, who owned her own production company, Gale Ann Hurd, who offered to be the first speaker. And so, in January 2001, the first official meeting took place at Capra’s Cafe. The 38th chapter of Women In Film & Television was formed. Over the years, Leanna produced her own TV show, Short Films Showcase, and a cooking show with Frank Capra’s son, Tom and his wife, Kris, who owned Capra’s Cafe. She also produced promotional videos for many non-profits, including a brilliant piece hosted by Howard Keel.
She never said no to her friends and would offer her services as A/V engineer for numerous fundraisers, including Pegasus. When PSWIFT first created The Broken Glass Awards, which was the main fundraiser for 11 years, Leanna’s brilliant, creative honoree videos were often met with a standing ovation.
She was a producer, a director, and sound stage operator. She was awarded the Athena Award for Professional Excellence in 2009 and was nominated for a regional Emmy Award in 2019. She was elected to the Board of Women In Film International and received a Women Of Distinction Award from The National League Of American Pen Women and was honored with The Founder Award at PSWIFT’S 20th Anniversary celebration in 2022.
Leanna worked tirelessly and never gave up improving the organization. It was a struggle at times, as there were very little funds. Nevertheless, she and her great team were able to raise money to help local film study students continue their various film studies and provided scholarships for outstanding young future film makers. With the help of Palm Springs Unified School District, she held a Student Short Film Fest. The kids were told to go out with their cameras and phones and write, direct and produce a Short. Members of PSWIFT were judges on a couple of occasions.
PSWIFT has grown so much over the years, but… if it hadn’t been for Leanna and her vision, her passion, her creative spirit and her continuous ideas, this organization would possibly not exist today in the Coachella Valley.
Leanna will be remembered for her great leadership and for mentoring others in the film industry along the way. She made a difference…
Tribute by Patti Gribow:
Leanna Bonamici, Founder of Palm Spring Women in Film and Television had a vision to build a chapter of likeminded women to bring film and television to our Valley. Because of this vision lifelong friendships have been forged, students have benefitted through donations to enhance their education in the arts, and hundreds of women and men have learned skills in production through mentoring programs. She crossed over last night after a long illness. As in life, Leanna gave it the good fight, but is now with God! She will be missed. May she rest in peace.
Tribute by DeAnn Lubell:
What can I say. I am absolutely devastated over the loss of a very precious friend, Leanna Bonamici. I have known you for 30 years. You were there when I needed you for 16 Angel View luncheons. You were there when we needed to do a promo with Howard Keel. You were there arranging the videotaping of my wedding with Lee. You were there when I needed a promo for my historical novel The Last Moon. You were there for all my ups and downs. You were always there. I can’t imagine you not being here anymore. You were a ray of sunshine, and I don’t think anyone will ever forget your smile and your enthusiasm and your optimism. Not to mention your talent. Rest in peace my precious friend. I love you so much.
