James Lee, a talented individual, was born in 1973 in Ipoh, Malaysia. As a trained graphic designer, he later discovered his passion for filmmaking and began to hone his skills as a self-taught filmmaker.
Before venturing into video filmmaking, James Lee had a strong foundation in the performing arts, having trained in acting and directing theatre plays. This multidisciplinary approach has undoubtedly contributed to his versatility and success in the film industry.
James Lee is an award-winning independent filmmaker from Malaysia, and he is also recognized as one of the pioneers of indie digital video film-making. In addition to directing, he has also taken on the roles of director of photography, producer, and actor in various independently produced films.
His films have garnered accolades at film festivals in Bangkok, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore, solidifying his reputation as a talented filmmaker.
In 2007, the 9th Deauville Asian Film Festival in France featured a special focus on James Lee's work, acknowledging his status as a pioneer digital filmmaker in the region. This recognition is a testament to his innovative approach to filmmaking.
James Lee has also been invited to share his expertise as a speaker at the TEDxKL 2015 event.
In 2015, he was awarded Director of the Year at the Singapore advertising award GONG for his branded short film "Last Day of School," which also received the prestigious Cannes Silver Lion Award in 2016.
