Hi! I'm Cici Chu, a filmmaker born and raised in Queens and an MFA directing candidate at Columbia University. I'm raising funds to help complete my Columbia short film, MR. LEE.

Logline:

An estranged son with terminal illness returns home hoping to reconcile with his aging father, only to find time slipping away faster than either of them imagined.

Why MR. LEE Matters

The story began with a fear I couldn’t shake: losing my parents before I had the chance to truly reconcile with them.

During the pandemic, I watched my parents battle COVID-19 in the hospital. Soon after, I saw my mother grieve the loss of her father and then her younger sister in China. Those experiences forced me to confront something I’d spent years avoiding: the people we love are here until they’re suddenly not, and the time we have with them is fragile than we want to believe.

That fear became the heart of MR. LEE.

The film follows Calvin, a terminally ill son who returns home to reconnect with his estranged father. As they struggle to bridge years of resentment, they’re forced to face the reality that time doesn’t wait for anyone. It’s a story about forgiveness, family, and the difficult choice to let go of old wounds before it’s too late.

I hope it resonates with anyone who has wished for one more conversation, one more chance to understand a parent, or one more opportunity to say the things left unsaid.

We've Shot the Film. Now We Need Your Help to Finish It.

Thanks to an incredible cast and crew, we completed principal photography this summer. I personally financed the film through my own savings and credit to keep the production going. Now, we're raising funds to cover the remaining production expenses, finish post-production and bring the film to life.

Budget Breakdown:

Cast & Crew - $4,000

Equipment & Locations - $2,000

Transportation & Production Expenses - $1,500

Editing - $1,500

Sound Design & Final Mix - $1,500

Color Grading - $1,500

Music & Final Deliverables - $1,000

Meet the Cast:

Perry Yung is an acclaimed actor and musician, best known for his role as Father Jun in the hit HBO series Warrior. His film and television credits include Bunnylovr, Netflix’s 3 Body Problem, and John Wick: Chapter 2. Perry stars as Mr. Lee, bringing authenticity and quiet vulnerability to the heart of the film.

Tim Liu is a New York–based actor known for his work across film, television, and theater. His recent credits include Knock at the Cabin, Pam & Tommy, New Amsterdam, and The Endgame. Tim portrays Calvin, bringing sensitivity and emotional nuance to a son navigating loss and reconciliation.

Eleven Lee is a New York–based actress with a passion for emotionally grounded storytelling. Her credits include Rosemead, Closing Dynasty, and Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens. Eleven's portrayal of Kelly uncovers empathy beneath a seemingly difficult exterior.

Macy Foster is a New York–based actress and graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Macy portrays Marie, a bored ice cream server who connects with Calvin momentarily.

Meet the Team:

Writer & Director

Cici Chu is a Chinese American filmmaker from Queens who has worked in multimedia distribution at AMC Networks, Disney Streaming, and Paramount. Currently, she is an MFA directing candidate at Columbia University. Her films explore family, loneliness, and identity through intimate, character-driven stories. MR. LEE is her second short film at Columbia, and her debut, WINNIE, is making its way through the festival circuit.

Producer

Ian Kirkland (he/they) is a writer, producer, and critic based in NYC. They received a BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature from the University of Edinburgh in 2022 while covering the theatre beats of Edinburgh, London, and the DMV as a contributing critic at Theatre Weekly and DCTA. Now an MFA candidate in Columbia’s Creative Producing cohort, Ian has produced five short films, two in collaboration with fellow-Columbian, writer-director Cici Chu.

Co-Producer

Justin Restivo is a New York–based actor and media professional who has worked with Paramount and Disney. His screen credits include The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Leave It to Beaver, Bull, and Abel Ferrara's 4:44 Last Day on Earth. As a Gilman Scholar, he studied Film and Media Studies at Columbia University and Mandarin at Peking University through Columbia's Beijing program.

Director of Photography

Luke Kao is a cinematographer from Taipei, Taiwan, and a graduate of NYU's Graduate Film Program. With a primary focus on narrative filmmaking, he has shot a wide range of projects recognized for their visual storytelling. In 2026, he received the ARRI Volker Bahnemann Award for Outstanding Cinematography as well as the Cinematography Craft Award at NYU's First Run Film Festival. His work has screened at major international film festivals, including Sundance, Tribeca, Raindance, Palm Springs, and SXSW London.

Production Designer

Ruomeng Li is a New York–based production and scenic designer. She holds an MA in Theatre Production and Design from the University of the Arts London and an MFA in Production Design from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Her work spans narrative film and theatre, where she creates immersive environments that enrich visual storytelling.

THANK YOU

Every contribution, no matter the amount, brings us one step closer to finishing MR. LEE and sharing this story with audiences.

Thank you for supporting!

Follow us on IG: @mrleeshortfilm for updates!