Christian Lee served as the sole crew member on each short documentary and narrative production. He directed, produced, wrote, shot, and edited ten award-winning films that screened internationally and received numerous prizes and jury awards.
Infinite Youth
After missing the bus, a group of longtime friends spend a Friday afternoon roaming around their desolate high school campus. What begins as a simple hangout gradually transforms into a vulnerable conversation about the burdens of the past.
After missing the bus, a group of longtime friends spend a Friday afternoon roaming around their desolate high school campus. What begins as a simple hangout gradually transforms into a vulnerable conversation about the burdens of the past.
- 43rd Annual Telly Awards, Bronze Winner
- Golden State Film Festival (TCL Chinese Theatre), World Premiere & Narrative Shorts Competition
American Rage
An African American teenager delivers a riveting speech on racial inequality. Combining powerful spoken word and striking visuals, American Rage is an examination of racial trauma and the destructive nature of hate.
An African American teenager delivers a riveting speech on racial inequality. Combining powerful spoken word and striking visuals, American Rage is an examination of racial trauma and the destructive nature of hate.
- Unfinished Work - Martin Luther King Jr. Film Festival, Best Impact Film & World Premiere
- Philadelphia Youth Film Festival, Social Justice Prize
- American Youth Film Festival, Jackie Award Nominee
- Brooklyn Shorty Film Festival, John D. McFadden, Sr. Young Filmmakers Competition
- 60 Second Film Festival, National Finalist
- EsMoa Video + Art Film Festival, Semi-Finalist
The Road to Manzanar
Japanese American filmmaker Christian Lee documents his emotional visit to Manzanar, one of ten American internment camps. He combines harrowing archival footage with shots of the facility to create a complex portrait of historical trauma.
Japanese American filmmaker Christian Lee documents his emotional visit to Manzanar, one of ten American internment camps. He combines harrowing archival footage with shots of the facility to create a complex portrait of historical trauma.
- Revolution Me Film Festival, Social Awareness Award
- All American High School Film Festival, Documentary Selection
- Scout Film Festival, Official Selection
- Central Film Festival, Student Documentary Competition
- Huntington Beach Cultural Cinema Showcase, World Premiere
Will I Die Because I Am Black?
An African American teenager details the deeply personal impact of George Floyd’s brutal murder.
An African American teenager details the deeply personal impact of George Floyd’s brutal murder.
- 40th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, Nextwave Youth Competition Finalist
- Our Voices Film Festival, PSA Finalist & World Premiere
- Adelaide Film Festival (Variety Magazine “Unmissable Festival”), International Youth Competition
- Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival (Canadian Screen Awards Qualifying), Official Selection
- Newark International Film Festival, Youth Documentary Competition
- Central Film Festival, Student Documentary Competition
- Lift-Off Global Network Sessions, Official Selection
Scene from a Suburban Teen
Following the unexpected death of his neighbor, a teen filmmaker creates an emotional documentary about grief and the fragility of human life.
Following the unexpected death of his neighbor, a teen filmmaker creates an emotional documentary about grief and the fragility of human life.
- Revolution Me Film Festival, Screenwriting Prize
- Newark International Film Festival, Youth Documentary Competition
The Absence of You
A lyrical and poetic tribute to the filmmaker’s late grandfather that seamlessly blends home video footage with images from a personal family archive.
A lyrical and poetic tribute to the filmmaker’s late grandfather that seamlessly blends home video footage with images from a personal family archive.
- SE Pennsylvania Teen Filmmakers Showcase, Official Competition
- All American High School Film Festival, Documentary Selection & World Premiere
- Newark International Film Festival, Youth Documentary Competition
Yesterday’s Fine
A young musician uses her deep passion for songwriting to overcome substance addiction.
A young musician uses her deep passion for songwriting to overcome substance addiction.
- Our Voices Film Festival, Official Selection
- Newark International Film Festival, Youth Narrative Competition
- Lift-Off Global Network Sessions, World Premiere
Lost Hope
A kindhearted English teacher is faced with a difficult decision when a troubled student opens up about her suicidal tendencies
A kindhearted English teacher is faced with a difficult decision when a troubled student opens up about her suicidal tendencies
- South Georgian Bay Film Festival, World Premiere
- Our Voices Film Festival, Official Selection
- Lift-Off Global Network Sessions, Official Selection
A Bittersweet Feeling
Jacob, a soft-spoken teenager diagnosed with clinical depression, develops an interest in photography. While capturing images, he befriends Kate, a girl who has taken a vow of silence.
Jacob, a soft-spoken teenager diagnosed with clinical depression, develops an interest in photography. While capturing images, he befriends Kate, a girl who has taken a vow of silence.
- Kidz Hub Regional Film Festival, Finalist & World Premiere
- Lift-Off Global Network First-Time Filmmakers Session, Official Selection
- Newark International Youth Film Festival, Semi-Finalist
Silence (In Development)
After witnessing the bullying and harassment of a transfer student that results in suicide, a soft-spoken high school freshman must reconcile intense feelings of guilt that force her to realize the complicity of her silence.
After witnessing the bullying and harassment of a transfer student that results in suicide, a soft-spoken high school freshman must reconcile intense feelings of guilt that force her to realize the complicity of her silence.
- National YoungArts Foundation, Creative Grant (Pending)