John Robert Lee is a documentary filmmaker and commercial video producer whose work delves into the depths of the human condition. Rather than focusing on information or exposure, his films are designed to move audiences emotionally, creating a profound connection to shared human experiences.
Lee first gained recognition with his 2020 short film *Not For Money, Not For Love, Not For Nothing*, a sensitive and compelling portrait of sex workers that avoids judgment or voyeurism. The film allows its subjects to speak openly and honestly, offering an intimate look at their lives and emotions. Acclaimed by festival juries as “entrancing” and “profound,” it was screened internationally and featured on *The New York Times* Op-Docs platform.
In 2023, Lee released *Humans Don’t Come With Instructions*, co-directed with Arnoldas Alubauskas. The film won *Best Film* at BFF Doc, praised for its creative use of archival footage and its ability to distill complex ideas about human existence into a concise and evocative short form.
Alongside his documentary work, Lee co-founded a video agency that develops gamified and interactive projects for major clients such as Google, M&S, and the United Nations. He also leads *Screen One*, an experimental film movement dedicated to expanding cinematic language and supporting the production and distribution of avant-garde works through a film festival and film society.
Currently, he is developing a feature-length documentary exploring sensuality and the relationship between people and their environments, told through the voices of sex workers. Deeply committed to collaboration, John Robert Lee continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, inviting audiences to engage with the most intimate aspects of what it means to be human.
