Jerome Yoo is a Korean-Canadian writer/director based in Vancouver. His films often explore complex themes of cultural identity, existentialism, and youth, blending surreal elements that blur the boundaries between dreams and reality. Growing up in Canada, his work carries a pulsating undercurrent conveying a profound longing to reconnect with his motherland.
His Telefilm Talent to Watch backed first feature film, MONGRELS, won the Horizon Award at the 43rd Vancouver International Film Festival and the FIPRESCI Prize at the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. It is nominated in the Best Original Screenplay and First Feature Film categories at the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards.
His short film IDOLS NEVER DIE was selected by Telefilm’s Not Short on Talent program to be featured at the 2019 Festival de Cannes Short Film Corner and was included out of competition in the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival’s “Summer of Seoul” programme. Other short works include his viral concept THIRD STREET, which was featured in online fashion-culture magazines such as Hypebeast, Complex, and Elle, as well as RIVER BOY BLUES, which was featured on Director’s Notes and FilmShortage.
Jerome was also a selected participant in BIFAN’s Fantastic Film Lab 2024 and TIFF x CJ Entertainment’s K-Story 2025 writing program.
