John Robert Lee.

John Robert Lee is a documentary filmmaker and commercial video producer with a deep passion for confronting the human condition through his work. His films are not about informing or exposing but instead aim to touch the soul, making audiences feel deeply, and connecting them to the core of their human experience.

John's breakthrough came with his 2020 short film, Not For Money, Not For Love, Not For Nothing which was described by festival juries as ‘compelling’ and ‘an entrancing portrait of sex workers’. The film was celebrated for its unique approach – not exposing, observing or judging, but allowing the women featured to speak from their hearts, offering a profound insight into the human experience.  It garnered acclaim at various festivals and was featured on the New York Times Op-Docs platform.

In 2023, John released Humans Don’t Come With Instructions, in collaboration with Arnoldas Alubauskas. This film further cemented his reputation in short-form documentary, winning 'Best Film' at BFF Doc. The jury praised the film for its dynamic use of archive material and its ability to distill fundamental concepts of human existence into a captivating 18-minute film.

Beyond his documentary work, John is the co-founder of Rebel Rooster, a video agency specializing in gamified and interactive videos, with a client roster that includes global brands like M&S, Google, and the United Nations. He also leads Screen One, an experimental film movement that pushes the boundaries of cinematic technique and storytelling. Through this initiative, he supports the distribution and production of experimental films and fosters a vibrant film community through both a film festival and film society.

Currently, John is working on a feature documentary exploring sensuality and our place within our environments, told through conversations with sex workers. He is always open to collaboration with like-minded creatives who share his passion for exploring the depths of human experience.