이수림 (Soorim Lee) is a Korean American writer-director based in Los Angeles and Seoul. With a decade plus years of experience in filmmaking, Soorim is an explorer of genres and mediums.

At her core, Soorim’s heart sings most when telling coming-of-age stories featuring intergenerational characters and when collaborating with other good-hearted people who embrace their 초심 (cho-shim; beginner’s mind).

Her first feature screenplay, , won the Louis Sudler Prize (2021). She got her start screening her sci-fi short, , in Austin Film Festival’s Young Filmmakers category (2016). Amongst her multitude of accolades, Soorim is grateful to have made films that resonate with others. Most recently, she made her friends and executives at Sony Pictures Animation emotional with her live-action short about grief, (2024), and her 2025 visual album about self-compassion, .

These days, she is working on her feature directorial debut while also finding happiness in dancing, freeskating, and playing DnD with her dear friends.

Select Awards & Recognitions:
  • The Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts,
    for full length screenplay, “Sewol Is” (2021)
  • [Columbia University] Leadership & Excellence Awards: Community Building, (2021)
  • [Columbia University] Phi Beta Kappa, top 10% of graduating class based on academic performance and faculty recommendations (2021)
  • [IMDB’s Independent Shorts Awards] BRONZE AWARD for Best Music Video, “Move On” (October 2018)
  • [Los Angeles CineFest] SEMI-FINALIST, “Finding Valdez” (2018)
  • [Columbia Undergraduate Film Festival] 3RD PLACE, “Finding Valdez” (2018)
  • [OC Register: Artist of the Year] HONORABLE MENTION, top 3 (2017)
  • [OC Register] Artist of the Week (December 2016)
  • [Seoul International Youth Film Festival] 1ST PLACE, “Axiom” (2016)
  • [Austin Film Festival] TOP 12, Official Selection in Youth Division (2016)
  • [Los Angeles Film Festival] “Future Filmmaker” Official Selection (2016)
Select Awards &
Recognitions:
  • The Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts,
    for full length screenplay, “Sewol Is” (2021)
  • [Columbia University] Leadership & Excellence Awards: Community Building, (2021)
  • [Columbia University] Phi Beta Kappa, top 10% of graduating class based on academic performance and faculty recommendations (2021)
  • [IMDB’s Independent Shorts Awards] BRONZE AWARD for Best Music Video, “Move On” (October 2018)
  • [Los Angeles CineFest] SEMI-FINALIST, “Finding Valdez” (2018)
  • [Columbia Undergraduate Film Festival] 3RD PLACE, “Finding Valdez” (2018)
  • [OC Register: Artist of the Year] HONORABLE MENTION, top 3 (2017)
  • [OC Register] Artist of the Week (December 2016)
  • [Seoul International Youth Film Festival] 1ST PLACE, “Axiom” (2016)
  • [Austin Film Festival] TOP 12, Official Selection in Youth Division (2016)
  • [Los Angeles Film Festival] “Future Filmmaker” Official Selection (2016)
  • [Newport Beach Film Festival] Official Selection for OCSA FTV feature (2014-2017)

OCSA Film & Television (2014-2017)

  • Director’s Award (Top award for OCSA Film & TV)
  • Iron Filmmaker MVP Award (2015, 2016)
  • Vision Award (2017)
  • Best Student in: 3rd Year, 2nd Year, 1st Year, Industrial Video, Film History, TV
  • Production I, Production I
  • Best Director, nominee (2016)
  • Best Picture, nominee (2017)

Telling stories together with joy.

Work Inquiries

Questions?
Get in touch.

New York City
Los Angeles