Born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Yen-Ju Lee holds a Bachelor's degree in History and Journalism from National Taiwan University, and a Master’s degree in Film Production from The London Film School. With over a decade of experience in cultural journalism and copywriting, her creative path bridges narrative structure, emotional nuance, and critical inquiry.
Her works explore themes such as gender empowerment, intergenerational trauma, family dynamics, and psychological transformation. Yen-Ju specializes in blending conceptual storytelling with emotional resonance, often infusing her scripts with suspense, humor, and layered character arcs.
In 2020, she founded 'Val Productions' (別有映像工作室), focusing on cinematic narratives that are concept-driven, emotionally affecting, and socially aware. Her collaborations span across film, music, branding, and international co-productions, with partners including TaiwanPlus, TAICCA, Taipei Film Commission, Chunghwa Telecom, Avex Music, FireOn Music, and NGOs such as Awakening Foundation.
• International Residencies & Festival Selections
In 2023, Lee was selected by TAICCA to represent Taiwan at the Goedam Residency (Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival) and Platform BUSAN at the Busan International Film Festival, expanding her network in Asian genre and independent cinema.
• Feature Film Development
- Her debut feature “Please Imagine Love and Light” (《療癒戀息曲》) has been in development since 2021, exploring themes of spiritual healing and emotional reawakening.
- Her second feature “Leftover Women Detectives” (《剩女婚前偵探社》) was selected for the 58th Golden Horse Film Project Promotion (FPP), received TAICCA development funding, and advanced to the final stage of TAICCA’s Script Enhancement Program, mentored one-on-one by acclaimed Korean screenwriter Bae Se-Young (Extreme Job, Intimate Strangers).
• Narrative Short Films & Distribution
Her short film 'To Pluto' (《冥王星圖》), starring Golden Horse Best Actress Hsieh Ying-Hsuan and Hong Kong Film Award winner Tai Bo, explores father-daughter grief through astrological metaphor.
- Awards: Best Student Film at British Independent Film Festival and Amsterdam Film Festival, Best Short Film at Red Dot Design Award, Grand Prize at MOD Microfilm Competition.
- Festival selections include Kaohsiung Film Festival and Atlanta Film Festival (New Mavericks showcase, 6 women directors selected from over 7,000 entries).
- The film is distributed by Swallow Wings Films and available on Catchplay, MyVideo, Hami, MOD, PTS+, iTunes and more.
• Documentary Work
Directed the short documentary 'A Taiwanese Dan' in collaboration with prominent journalist Chi-Fei Fan, exploring gender expression in contemporary Taiwanese Peking opera. The film is available worldwide via the TaiwanPlus platform.
• Industry Collaborations
Worked with TaiwanPlus, TAICCA, Taipei Film Commission, Chunghwa Telecom, Avex, FireOn Music, Awakening Foundation, The Hague Museum of Art, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, FNV Netherlands, Barbican Centre (London), Art Represent, among others, across branding, public communication, music video, and social engagement storytelling.
• Writing & Literary Awards
Former arts and culture columnist with publications including United Daily News, World Journal, Initium Media, HK01 Weekly, Openbook, Performing Arts Review, GQ Taiwan, and more.
Literary honors include: First Prize, Kaohsiung Youth Literary Awards (Fiction); Excellence, NTU Literature Prize (Essay); First Prize, National Taiwan Literature Camp (Fiction).
https://yenjulee.com/
