Writer and Director John W. Kim is a first-generation Korean-American storyteller and filmmaker, whose creative journey was shaped by his birthplace in Seoul, South Korea, and his upbringing in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. This unique cultural fusion, influenced by the rich literary heritage of America and the cinematic masterpieces of the 1970s, would later become the foundation of his storytelling style.
Kim's academic pursuits took him to the University of California at Santa Cruz, where he studied international literature and creative writing, graduating with honors. He then furthered his education at the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television (Cinematic Arts),earning his Master of Fine Arts degree.
Throughout his career, Kim's films have garnered international recognition, with screenings at prominent festivals in New York, San Francisco, Edinburgh, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. His screenplay for the feature film Blur (2011) was a semifinalist in the prestigious AMPAS Nicholl Fellowship competition, and he has also placed in the second round of the Sundance Filmmaker's Lab and the Austin Screenplay competition.
Kim's upcoming feature film, The Request (2025),marks his second major cinematic endeavor, solidifying his position as a talented and innovative storyteller in the film industry.
