Conversations with JJ Lippman

Today we’d like to introduce you to JJ Lippman.

JJ, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and didn’t have any exposure or connection to the film industry. Movies were just something I loved, but filmmaking felt like this distant, impossible world. When I came out to Los Angeles for college at USC, I had the opportunity to take a few film classes – and I immediately fell in love with it. My first real project was Human Nature, a supernatural thriller I wrote, directed, sound-designed, and edited myself. It follows a woman who trespasses on protected land and faces nature’s wrath, and it really sparked my love for creating tension through character and visuals.

After that, I made Echoes of Obsession with three of my friends in a cabin in the woods – no budget, just a lot of passion and trust in each other. Even with its small scale, that film ended up getting recognition at a few festivals for its psychological storytelling, which was such a rewarding experience.

Most recently, I finished my feature directorial debut, Mind Games. It’s the most personal and ambitious project I’ve made so far, bringing together themes I keep returning to – identity, obsession, and moral ambiguity. It’s been such an exciting step forward, made possible by a passionate team of emerging filmmakers who believe in the story as much as I do. I’m still early in my career, but I’m excited to keep growing, collaborating, and telling bold, emotionally charged stories that stick with people.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Making films is such a vulnerable process – you’re constantly exposing your ideas, your taste, and a piece of who you are, and not everyone will connect with it. On top of that, filmmaking can be incredibly demanding, especially when you’re creating independently and trying to make something out of limited resources. But every challenge has pushed me to grow. I’ve learned how to problem-solve, collaborate, and stay resilient when things don’t go as planned. The hard parts have actually been what’s made me surer than ever that this is what I’m meant to do.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I make films that I would want to see – stories that challenge me, excite me, and that I know I’ll enjoy both making and watching. That mindset keeps the work personal and authentic. At the end of the day, I want each project to feel like something I’d be proud to stand behind, whether it’s seen by a hundred people or a million.

I am incredibly proud of Mind Games, my feature directorial debut, as I think it gives a true sense of what I am capable of. It’s twisted, heightened, and deeply personal. And if it makes you laugh at something you probably shouldn’t, then I’ve done my job. What sets me apart is my willingness to put everything into my art. Filmmaking, for me, isn’t something you can do halfway – it asks for all of you: your time, your creativity, your vulnerability, and your trust in yourself. I’ve learned not to let self-doubt get in the way of that process.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m always open to collaborating and love connecting with new creatives. The best way to reach me is through Instagram @jjlippman, where I post updates about my work and upcoming projects, or by my business email at [email protected]. I’m always excited to meet people who share a passion for storytelling and film.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjlippman/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jj-lippman-a49a02225
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15168612/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk