A Malaysian Filmmaker's Global Rise

From surviving cancer to winning an award at the San Diego Comic-Con, we learn how Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow 2024 Jared Lee’s passion and determination showcase his versatility as a creative

- Chong Jinn Xiung

Fuelled by his love for comics, Jared Lee’s journey as a storyteller began at the age of seven. Growing up in the suburb of Subang Jaya, Selangor, Lee spent countless hours at his mother’s hair salon and often ventured to the neighbouring convenience store to buy comics. These early experiences sparked his imagination, allowing him to envision worlds beyond our own.

In 2011, Lee wrote a script for his first short film, The Long Distance Relationship. The film tells the story of a couple navigating the daily struggles and emotional challenges of a long-distance relationship. It accumulated over three million views on YouTube and became a Top 10 finalist in the BMW Shorties competition that same year.