James Choi—2024 Scholar in Residence

James Choi is a prolific, award-winning filmmaker with over a decade of film industry experience in Los Angeles having worked in representation, production and digital media.

He has a long history of collaborating and supporting young directors on their debut feature films. He has produced two award-winning feature films from first-time directors that premiered at South by Southwest - "Made in China" winning the Grand Jury Award and "Saint Frances" the Audience Award. The films were distributed by IFC Films and Oscilloscope Laboratories, respectively. Saint Frances was nominated for two Gotham Awards and the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards in 2021. James has also been involved in helping students produce their first feature films through Indie Studio, which he founded in 2017. Indie Studio is an initiative that provides financing and support to students at DePaul who are interested in directing and producing independent feature films. "Waiting for the Light to Change," the latest feature film to come out of Indie Studio, won the Grand Jury Award for Best Feature at Slamdance in 2023. 

Choi’s film “Resonancia” will hold its world premiere at OIFF 2024. Choi will also serve as president of the awards jury and serve on a Producers Panel during the fest. 

Resonancia: Short Films Block A—Thursday June 20 @ 3pm

Director’s Statement:

One scorching summer afternoon in Tekal, Yucatan, I found respite under the cool shade of an avocado tree, right across from a stunning yellow church. It was then, that I was metaphorically struck on the head by an avocado by the name of Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

When avocados appear, we are in a fertile time of new beginnings and adventures on both the conscious and unconscious level. Our dreams may become more vivid and direct, while our waking life brings new encounters and opportunities that inspire us to act.

A metaphor for our creative journey as filmmakers.

Made under the guidance of Apichatpong Weerashethakul at the Creator's Lab 2023 in Yucatan, Mexico.