Jihee Nam

Brooklyn, NY
jiheenam95@gmail.com

Jihee is an animator/filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. With a deep-rooted focus on the complexities of human relationships—both internal and external—she explores the subtle, everyday moments that shape our experiences. Grounded in the principles of traditional 2D animation and expanded through digital techniques, her work blends these methodologies to create visually striking, experimental narratives that speak to the nuances of human connection.

She received her BFA in Film/Animation/Video from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and her MFA in Experimental Animation from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). Her films have been featured at international festivals, including the BFI Future Film Festival in London, the Ottawa International Animation Festival, and Indie AniFest in Seoul, South Korea. In recognition of her work, she received the Lejf Marcussen Award at the VOID International Animation Festival in Copenhagen and the First Flight Prize at Indie-AniFest.

Screenings:

Knife Hanging From A Tree, Link

2024

Official Selection at Animocje Festival, Bydgoszcz, Poland

2023

Official Selection at RSFF Rich and Successful Film Festival, LA, US

2021

Official Selection at the 7th Annual Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, MMH, US

2020

Official Jury Award Nominee at NFFTY, SEA, US
Official Selection at 14th NFFTY, SEA, US
Official Selection at Slamdance Film Festival, UT, US

(Academy Award Qualifying)
(BAFTA Qualifying)
(Canadian Screen Award Qualifying)

Official Selection at Directors Notes, Brighton, UK
Official Selection at Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival, BALT, US
Official Selection at Amarcort Film Festival, Rimini, Italy
Official Selection at BFI Future Film Festival, London, UK
Official Selection at Stuttgart Trickfilm International Animated Film Festival, Stuttgart, Germany

2019

Official Selection at Ottawa International Animation Festival, Ottawa, Canada
Official Selection at Animation Block Party, NY, US
Official Selection at Indie AniFest, Seoul, South Korea
Official Selection at Bucheon International Animation Festival, Bucheon, South Korea
Official Selection at Cartoons Underground, Singapore
Official Selection at CutOut Fest Intl Animation and Digital Art, QRO, Mexico
Official Selection at VOID International Animation Festival, CPH, Denmark
Official Selection at San Diego Underground Film Festival, SD, US
Official Selection at Paris International Animation Film Festival, PAR, France
Official Selection at As Film Festival, Rome, Italy
Official Selection at TAF Thessaloniki Animation Festival, Thessaloniki, Greece

Awards

First Flight Prize at Indie-AniFest, Seoul, South Korea
Lejf Marcussen Award at VOID International Animation Festival, CPH, Denmark

BUDLAND, Link

2025

Animation Clubhouse, LA, US

2024

Transfiguration International Film Festival, US

2023

Official Selection at LINOLEUM Contemporary Animation and Media Art Festival, Kyiv, Ukraine
Official Selection at 25th Bucheon International Animation Festival, Bucheon, South Korea

CHUCK, Link

2017

Official Selection at LINOLEUM Contemporary Animation and Media Art Festival, Kyiv, Ukraine
Official Selection at 25th Bucheon International Animation Festival, Bucheon, South Korea

Jury/Programmer:

2021 Summit Panelist at NFFTY, SEA, US, Link
2021 Lejf Marcussen Award Jury at VOID International Animation Festival, CPH, Denmark, Link
2021 Programmer at Slamdance, UT, US

Features/Articles:

2022 Directors Notes Youtube Channel, Link
2021 Directors Notes Premiere, Link
2021 Creative Reviews, Link
2021 Shoutout LA, Link
2020 Vimeo Staff Pick, Link
2020 Cartoon Brew, Link
2020 Voyage LA, Link
2019 Cartoons Underground, Link

Education:

2020 MFA in Experimental Animation, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2017 BFA in Film/Video/Animation, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI

Teaching Experience:

2024 – present

Instructor (part-time) at New York Studio, NY
2023 – present
Instructor (part-time) at PI Art Center, NY

2019
TA to Pia Borg, MFA First Year Shorts, CalArts, CA

Resume (upon request)

CONNECT
Contact • INSTAGRAM