Olga Lesnova
- Producer
- Actress
International Film Producer, Actress and Founder of 'Maze Films'.
Born and raised in Russia, Olga graduated from Moscow State University (MSU) and founded a successful events business before following her passion for motion pictures and moving to the USA, where she majored in filmmaking and production at the New York Film Academy (NYFA), graduating in 2012. Building on a growing portfolio of short films, Hollywood beckoned....Olga's first feature-length production was acclaimed American road-comedy 'Chef' (2014), directed by Jon Favreau - grossing $48m at the box office, 'Chef' won universal praise from critics for its art direction and casting, winning numerous awards including 'Audience Favourite' at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. Numerous motion pictures, short films and TV productions spanning multiple genres have followed since, with Olga producing (and often acting) in award-winning films such as 'Out of the Shadows', 'View from Above' and 'Trinity Sunday' (Grand Prize Nominee at 2019's Sochi Open Film Festival).
Olga specializes in conceptualizing, fund-raising, developing and producing motion pictures working through her own independent production company Maze Films, as well as alongside the major international film studios in Europe, the US and Asia.
Frequently appearing on judging juries and expert panels at events including PitchFest in the USA and Russia's ArtKino - Olga also teaches filmmaking and production to International students through her own masterclasses and (since 2014) as a lecturer at Moscow's renowned Aleksandr Mitta Film School. She is an active member of Russia's prestigious Union of Cinematographers.
Born and raised in Russia, Olga graduated from Moscow State University (MSU) and founded a successful events business before following her passion for motion pictures and moving to the USA, where she majored in filmmaking and production at the New York Film Academy (NYFA), graduating in 2012. Building on a growing portfolio of short films, Hollywood beckoned....Olga's first feature-length production was acclaimed American road-comedy 'Chef' (2014), directed by Jon Favreau - grossing $48m at the box office, 'Chef' won universal praise from critics for its art direction and casting, winning numerous awards including 'Audience Favourite' at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. Numerous motion pictures, short films and TV productions spanning multiple genres have followed since, with Olga producing (and often acting) in award-winning films such as 'Out of the Shadows', 'View from Above' and 'Trinity Sunday' (Grand Prize Nominee at 2019's Sochi Open Film Festival).
Olga specializes in conceptualizing, fund-raising, developing and producing motion pictures working through her own independent production company Maze Films, as well as alongside the major international film studios in Europe, the US and Asia.
Frequently appearing on judging juries and expert panels at events including PitchFest in the USA and Russia's ArtKino - Olga also teaches filmmaking and production to International students through her own masterclasses and (since 2014) as a lecturer at Moscow's renowned Aleksandr Mitta Film School. She is an active member of Russia's prestigious Union of Cinematographers.
