Michael Lee Barlin

Michael Lee began writing and directing his own stories at age six after seeing Star Wars on the big screen and having his mind blown. Growing up in rural Poughkeepsie, but visiting NYC often because his Catholic-Italian mother and Jewish father (not to mention a Syrian Great Grandfather) were all from Brooklyn, Michael Lee grew up in the spectacle-ridden era of Lucas and Spielberg, where he learned from both the movies and his family that diversity, humor, tugging the heart, and a touch of magic are the keys to making things work (neighborhoods, families, and movies alike).

With a passion to push the envelope even further than his favorite filmmakers, and a talent for making people cry, or laugh out loud on the page (best when on the same page), Michael Lee now likes to write epic, world-building stories with a touch of magic, that are infused with strong, oddball characters who drive the narrative, all in an effort to entertain and touch the heart while giving thematic voice to important social commentary.

Michael Lee has now directed two award-winning features, had a script on the annual Black List that was developed at Disney, won in the Page Awards, was a semifinalist in both the Nicholl Fellowships and Sundance Feature Film Program, and once did not sleep for a week when Stephen Spielberg himself personally requested to read one of Michael Lee’s scripts!

Swoon to black…

Honors & Awards

Annual Black List - FINAL JOURNEY - 2015

Winner, Bronze - PAGE Screenwriting Awards - FINAL JOURNEY - 2015

Semifinalist, Academy Nicholl Fellowships - FINAL JOURNEY (Apocalypse Rewrite) - 2022 "