View source for Izzy Lee

{{Short description|American filmmaker and writer}}{{Infobox person
| name          = Izzy Lee
| image         = File:Izzy Lee dark cropped hi res.jpg
| alt           =
| caption       = Lee in 2014
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| death_date    = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) -->
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| alma_mater    = [[Massachusetts College of Art and Design]]
| occupation    = Filmmaker, director, producer, actor, writer
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| known_for     =
| notable_works =
}}
'''Izzy Lee''' is an American filmmaker and writer, known for her short films ''Re-Home'' (2019),<ref>{{cite web |title=Cinepocalypse 2019: Izzy Lee's 'Re-Home' – Short Film Review |url=https://www.pophorror.com/cinepocalypse-2019-izzy-lees-re-home-short-film-review/ |website=Pop Horror}}</ref> ''The Obliteration of the Chickens'' (2019),<ref>{{cite web |title=THE SHORT FILMS OF IZZY LEE #2 (2019) |url=http://www.cinedump.com/reviews/2019/6/13/the-short-films-of-izzy-lee-2-2019 |website=Cinedump}}</ref> ''My Monster'' (2018), and ''[[Innsmouth (short film)|Innsmouth]]'', which she produced through her company Nihil Noctem.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://iconsoffright.com/2016/04/28/intvw-a-six-pack-of-new-england-film-making-master-minds-pt-1/|title=INTVW: A SIX PACK OF NEW ENGLAND FILM-MAKING MASTER MINDS, PT.1|date=2016-04-28|website=Icons of Fright|access-date=2016-05-26|archive-date=2020-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404093717/http://iconsoffright.com/2016/04/28/intvw-a-six-pack-of-new-england-film-making-master-minds-pt-1/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thterrortime.com/interview-with-innsmouth-director-izzy-lee/|title=Interview with 'Innsmouth' Director Izzy Lee|date=2016-03-23|website=Tom Holland's Terror Time|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-26}}</ref> She has written for multiple outlets such as ''Birth.Movies.Death'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Izzy Lee |url=https://birthmoviesdeath.com/author/izzy.lee |website=Birth. Movies. Death}}</ref> ''[[Rue Morgue (magazine)|Rue Morgue]]'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Izzy Lee |url=https://rue-morgue.com/tag/izzy-lee/ |website=Rue Morgue}}</ref> ''[[Twitch Film|TwitchFilm]]'', and ''[[Fangoria]]'' and has also helped program and curate film festivals like the [[Boston Underground Film Festival|Boston Underground]] and the Boston Sci-Fi Fest.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
Lee began showing an interest in horror in kindergarten and later attended the [[Massachusetts College of Art and Design]], where she received a [[Bachelor of Fine Arts|BFA]] in illustration.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.darkveins.com/en/152420-interview-with-actress-writer-and-director-izzy-lee/|title=Interview with actress, writer and director Izzy Lee|last=Torretti|first=Barbara|date=2015-08-14|website=DarkVeins|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-26}}</ref> She initially started as an actor and writer, but branched out into filmmaking in order to "see if I could do it".<ref name=":1" />
Lee started her filmmaking career in Massachusetts, where she was featured on WCVB Channel 5’s news show, Chronicle. in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=New England native Izzy Lee takes on the strange and unusual in her short films |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/indie-spotlight-new-england-native-izzy-lee-takes-on-the-strange-and-unusual-in-her-short-films/36560451 |website=WVCB5}}</ref> Lee has gained a following leading up to articles which shine a light on her talent as an up-and-coming director, such as "one of 10 female horror directors Blumhouse should hire" from ''[[The A.V. Club]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rife |first1=Katie |title=We rounded up 10 female horror directors for Jason Blum, who seems to have trouble finding them |url=https://www.avclub.com/we-rounded-up-10-female-horror-directors-for-jason-blum-1829824166 |website=The A.V. Club}}</ref> as well as from author and film festival programmer Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, who stated that "...Izzy Lee... is going to be massive once she gets the break that she deserves" in [[Entertainment Weekly]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=1000 Women in Horror author says book could have been ten times longer |url=https://ew.com/books/1000-women-in-horror/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref>
Lee often works with socio-political themes in horror and thrillers, as well as cult or weird genres.<ref>{{cite web |title=Writer/Directory Izzy Lee once again defies the "Genre Box" with the experimental short film, 'The Obliteration of the Chickens' |url=https://hellbentforhorror.com/news-and-extras/writerdirectory-izze-lee-once-again-defies-the-genre-box-with-the-experimental-short-film-the-obliteration-of-the-chickens |website=Hellbent for Horror}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=THE SHORT FILMS OF IZZY LEE (2017) |url=http://www.cinedump.com/reviews/2017/5/9/the-short-films-of-izzy-lee?rq=izzy%20lee |website=Cinedump}}</ref> Lee's first short film, ''Legitimate'', was released in 2013 and was partially inspired by Representative [[Todd Akin]]'s [[Rape and pregnancy statement controversies in the 2012 United States elections|comments about "legitimate" rape]].<ref name=":0" /> The following year, Lee directed a trailer, ''Come Out and Play'', for [[Christopher Golden|Christopher Golden's]] 2014 novel ''Snowblind''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkGHi1Qer3c|title=Come Out and Play|last=Lee|first=Izzy|date=January 5, 2014|website=YouTube|publisher=|access-date=May 26, 2016}}</ref> In 2015 Lee released ''Innsmouth'', which was inspired by the works of [[H. P. Lovecraft]], particularly ''[[The Shadow over Innsmouth]]''.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/126029/travel-to-innsmouth-for-a-teaser-and-some-stills/|title=Travel to Innsmouth for a Teaser and Some Stills|website=Dread Central|language=en-US|access-date=2016-02-05}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=http://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/latest-reviews-of-movies/12980-innsmouth-review|title=INNSMOUTH (Short Film)|website=Starburst Magazine|access-date=2016-02-05|archive-date=2016-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205170437/http://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/latest-reviews-of-movies/12980-innsmouth-review|url-status=dead}}</ref> The short received some media attention for Lee's choice to feature a predominantly female cast, which she did in order to "make [Lovecraft] roll over in his grave a little by having the cast 98% female and switching the gender roles.”<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://diaboliquemagazine.com/innsmouth-izzy-lee-review/|title=Izzy Lee puts a New Spin on Lovecraft with Short INNSMOUTH|date=2016-03-08|website=Diabolique Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-26}}</ref>
Her short film ''Re-Home'' (2019) started as a reaction to the promise of a wall built between the United States and Mexico.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cinepocalypse 2019: Izzy Lee's 'Re-Home' – Short Film Review |url=https://www.pophorror.com/cinepocalypse-2019-izzy-lees-re-home-short-film-review/ |website=Pop Horror}}</ref> Lee has also tackled abuse within the Catholic Church with ''Rites of Vengeance'' (2017)<ref>{{cite web |title=RITES OF VENGEANCE: Short Film Review |url=https://www.screamhorrormag.com/rites-vengeance-short-film-review/ |website=SCREAM}}</ref> and [[revenge porn]] with ''For A Good Time, Call...'' (2017).<ref>{{cite web |title=Short Film, Short Review: FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL... |url=https://screenanarchy.com/2017/03/short-film-short-review-for-a-good-time-call.html |website=Screen Anarchy}}</ref>
In 2023, her short film, Meat Friend<ref>{{cite web |last1=Malone |first1=Stephanie |title=13 Stellar Shorts From Genreblast 2022 |url=https://morbidlybeautiful.com/13-best-genreblast-shorts/ |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref> starring Marnie McKendry<ref>{{cite web |last1=Melanson |first1=Angel |title=A Sentient Pile Of Murderous Hamburger Meat: Watch The MEAT FRIEND Teaser Now |url=https://www.fangoria.com/original/a-sentient-pile-of-murderous-hamburger-meat-watch-the-meat-friend-teaser-now/ |website=Fangoria |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref> (daughter of fellow horror filmmakers Rebekah and David McKendry),<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fassel |first1=Preston |title=[review] With 'memento Mori' And 'meat Friend,' Izzy Lee Ups Her Short Game- And Shows She Needs A Feature |url=http://dailygrindhouse.com/thewire/review-with-memento-mori-and-meat-friend-izzy-lee-ups-her-short-game-and-shows-she-needs-a-feature/ |website=Daily Grindhouse |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref> Megan Duffy, and Steve Johanson, was nominated for Best Short by Fangoria for their annual Chainsaw Awards.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gilchrist |first1=Todd |title=Jordan Peele's 'Nope,' Ti West's 'Pearl' Lead Fangoria's Chainsaw Award Nominations |url=https://variety.com/2023/awards/news/fangoria-2023-chainsaw-awards-nominations-1235502663 |website=Variety |date=27 January 2023 |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref>
The filmmaker often casts other directors in her short films, such as: Gigi Saul Guerrero<ref>{{cite web |title=Gigi Saul Guerrero To Direct Orion Horror Thriller '10-31′ |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/gigi-saul-guerrero-direct-orion-pictures-horror-thriller-10-31-1202830032/ |website=Deadline|date=14 January 2020 }}</ref> in ''Re-Home''; [[Brea Grant]] and ''[[Daniel Isn't Real]]'' director, [[Adam Egypt Mortimer]] in ''My Monster''; Silvia Graziano and ''[[The_Ranger_(film)|The Ranger]]'' producer Heather Buckley in ''Rites of Vengeance''; and [[Sophia Cacciola]] in ''[[Innsmouth (short film)|Innsmouth]]''. The author Bracken MacLeod<ref>{{cite web |title=BRACKEN MACLEOD |url=https://us.macmillan.com/author/brackenmacleod/ |website=Macmillan Publishers}}</ref> provided the voiceover for the experimental, Werner Herzog-influenced ''The Obliteration of the Chickens'' (2019),<ref>{{cite web |title=The Obliteration of the Chickens' (2019) Short Review |url=https://pophorror.com/the-obliteration-of-the-chickens-2019-short-review/ |website=Pop Horror |date=2 March 2019 |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref> while Lee herself narrated ''Disco Graveyard'' (2020).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Danielle |first1=Tori |title=[Short Film Review] DISCO GRAVEYARD |url=https://www.nightmarishconjurings.com/2020/04/04/short-film-review-disco-graveyard/ |website=Nightmarish Conjurings |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref>
Lee's debut feature, ''House of Ashes'', premiered at the [[Brooklyn Horror Film Festival]] in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lore |first1=Justin |title=BROOKLYN HORROR FILM FESTIVAL 2024: Izzy Lee’s HOUSE OF ASHES |url=https://cinepunx.com/brooklyn-horror-film-festival-2024-izzy-lees-house-of-ashes/ |website=Cinepunx}}</ref>
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Director
! Writer
! Producer
! Actor
! Notes
|-
|2013
|''Legitimate ''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
| Short film, as Masked Woman<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=NO-BUDGET NIGHTMARES: SHORT FILM ROUNDUP (IZZY LEE'S LEGITIMATE)|url=http://dailygrindhouse.com/thewire/no-budget-nightmares-short-film-round-up-izzy-lee/|publisher=Daily Grindhouse|accessdate=26 May 2016}}</ref>
|-
|2013
|''Ave Maria ''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
| Short film
|-
|2014
|''Come Out and Play''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
| Short film
|-
|2014
|''Picket''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
| Short film
|-
|2014
|''Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling: Episode 15 - The Girl Who Was Death''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|Video short, as Barfly
|-
|2015
|''Bring Us Your Women''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|Segment "Arya Tara", Actress in segment "Sirens", as Persephone
|-
|2015
|''Invisible Friend''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
| Short film
|-
|2015
|''A Favor''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
| Short film<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dolan|first1=Patrick|title=Review: Izzy Lee's new short A FAVOR|url=http://www.rue-morgue.com/#!Review-Izzy-Lees-new-short-A-FAVOR/cjds/55db4ff50cf2c4072860765e|publisher=Rue Morgue|accessdate=5 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Unsworth|first1=Martin|title=A FAVOR (Short Film)|url=http://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/latest-reviews-of-movies/12677-a-favor-review|publisher=Starburst|accessdate=5 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Muller|first1=Stuart|title=FrightFest 2015 Review: A FAVOR Engenders Favour|url=http://twitchfilm.com/2015/08/frightfest-2015-review-a-favor-finds-favour.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906215250/http://twitchfilm.com/2015/08/frightfest-2015-review-a-favor-finds-favour.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2015|publisher=Twitch Film|accessdate=5 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Villalpando|first1=Tiffany|title=Favor, A (Short)|date=17 July 2015 |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/113629/izzy-lees-favor-2014/|publisher=Dread Central|accessdate=5 February 2016}}</ref>
|-
|2015
|''[[Innsmouth (short film)|Innsmouth]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
| Short film, as Izzy<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hallam|first1=Scott|title=Innsmouth (Short, 2015) (review)|date=8 September 2015 |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/124574/innsmouth-short-2015/|publisher=Dread Central|accessdate=26 May 2016}}</ref>
|-
|2015
|''Postpartum''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
| Short film<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mueller|first1=Stuart|title=Review: POSTPARTUM. So, Speaking Of Six-Minute Emotional Roller Coasters|url=http://twitchfilm.com/2015/01/review-postpartum-so-speaking-of-emotional-rollercoasters-gallery.html|publisher=Twitch Film|accessdate=5 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lidstone|first1=David|title=We review Izzy Lee's short horror film POSTPARTUM|url=https://www.rue-morgue.com/#!We-review-Izzy-Lees-short-horror-film-POSTPARTUM/cjds/5526b2620cf21d84af8e67bf|publisher=Rue Morgue|accessdate=5 February 2016}}</ref>
|-
|2016
|''Grindsploitation''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|Segment "John Smith"
|-
|2016
|''60 Seconds to Die''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|Segment "Necrosis"
|-
|2016
|''Trinity''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
| as Tarot Card Reader Two
|-
|2017
|''For a Good Time, Call…''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|Short film, written by Chris Hallock, shot by Bryan McKay, co-produced with Severin Films
|-
|2017
|''Rites of Vengeance''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|Short film, co-produced with Mary McDonagh and Paul Furio
|-
|2018
|''My Monster''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|Short film, co-produced with Richard Stringham
|-
|2019
|''[[Clickbait (film)|Clickbait]]''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|as Biology 433: Plant Taxonomy and Human Dissection student, Halloween Partier
|-
|2019
|''The Obliteration of the Chickens''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|Short film
|-
|2020
|''Disco Graveyard''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|Short film
|-
|2020
|''Consider the Titanic''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|Music Video
|-
|2022
|''Meat Friend''<ref>{{cite web |last1=XIII |first1=Daniel |title=Short Film Review: Meat Friend (2022) |url=https://horrorfuel.com/2022/02/05/short-film-review-meat-friend-2022/ |website=Horror Fuel|date=5 February 2022 }}</ref>
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|Short film
|-
|2022
|''Memento Mori''<ref>{{cite web |last1=XIII |first1=Daniel |title=Short Film Review: Memento Mori (2022) |url=https://horrorfuel.com/2022/05/05/short-film-review-memento-mori-2022/ |website=Horror Fuel|date=5 May 2022 }}</ref>
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|Short film
|-
|2024
|''House of Ashes''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lore |first1=Justin |title=BROOKLYN HORROR FILM FESTIVAL 2024: Izzy Lee’s HOUSE OF ASHES |url=https://cinepunx.com/brooklyn-horror-film-festival-2024-izzy-lees-house-of-ashes/ |website=Cinepunx}}</ref>
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|Feature film
|-
|}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.nihilnoctem.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|5642855}}
* [http://www.searchmytrash.com/articles/izzylee%287-13%29.shtml Interview] at (re)Search My Trash
* [http://cinedelphia.com/vivisections-horror-shorts-5-questions-with-dave-wade-and-izzy-lee/ Interview] at Cinedelphia
* [http://www.womeninhorrormonth.com/2014/07/01/the-edgar-allan-poe-bronze-bust-project-an-interview-with-filmmaker-producer-izzy-lee/ Interview] at Women in Horror Month
* [http://cinema-crazed.com/blog/2017/02/14/an-interview-with-filmmaker-izzy-lee-wihm-2017/ Interview] at Cinema Crazed
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Izzy}}
[[Category:Film directors from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:American film producers]]
[[Category:American women screenwriters]]
[[Category:American women film directors]]
[[Category:American horror film directors]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American women film producers]]