Filmmaker | Educator | Writer
I am an award-winning documentary filmmaker, writer, and university lecturer interested in history and travel. I believe in the power of storytelling to challenge and shift perspectives. My work takes me across Asia and beyond, uncovering and bringing cinematic depth to untold stories. When I’m not behind the camera, I’m in the classroom, helping the next generation of storytellers find their own voice.
Spotlighting hidden stories that matter.
I’ve always been drawn to stories that don’t get enough attention—those that come from the margins or places where people’s voices are often overlooked. I love digging into untold stories, whether it’s a community’s struggles, forgotten histories, or moments that challenge what we think we know.
My background as a historian shapes my approach—whether I’m deep diving into archives or exploring oral histories. I adopt a journalistic sensibility to my work through on-ground research and interviews. My training as a documentary filmmaker enables me to bring cinematic storytelling and depth to every project, always seeking to give voice to the stories that deserve to be heard.
Exploring the world, one story at a time.
I have produced some of the most talked-about true crime documentaries on platforms like Netflix, including Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso—which became Indonesia’s Number 1 film—and The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea, which broke records as Netflix’s first top-ranking Korean true crime series. I am currently working on another high-profile true crime feature documentary for Netflix.
I directed Secret Lives of Trees, a factual series for Channel NewsAsia, exploring the deep-rooted history and mysteries of Singapore's trees. My work on The Shades of Love took an intimate and unprecedented look into the lives of sex workers in Singapore, earning me a FreedomFilmFest Award. I also directed a Women in History series for the National Library Board of Singapore, bringing fresh perspectives to overlooked female-driven narratives.
My approach to documentary filmmaking is driven by my background as a trained historian. My research-first mindset is paired with my journalistic instincts, honed through years of working in fast-paced environments, where accuracy and depth are paramount.
My career also includes a leadership role as Head of Development at Beach House Pictures, Asia’s largest independent studio, where I was responsible for the creative and business development of premium unscripted and scripted content for global markets. During my tenure, I oversaw a diverse slate of projects, ranging from Mind Your Manners (Netflix) to Ice Cold (Netflix). My experience in building strong relationships with commissioners and talent, from the US, UK, to Asia, has been integral to my success in both development and production.
In addition to my work in film, I am deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of filmmakers. I teach Documentary Filmmaking at the National University of Singapore, the non-profit independent visual arts centre Objectifs, and have mentored emerging filmmakers across Southeast Asia through initiatives like the Docs by the Sea lab. I am also a member of the Asian American Journalists Association.
Get in touch
jessicaleechuen@gmail.com