In the 60's, a genocide happens killing any and all artists, educators, and politicians. A diaspora family lands in the US. The American struggle took them through several states. They had a son. A few days old... a drive-by shootout occurs and the family is forced to relocate again. Sacramento, the 90's, a family is raised strict, art is taboo, yet ironically, the father sculpted statues of Buddha and the mother teaches her children traditional Southeast Asian dances.

In the son's late teen years, his parents leave their children to the eldest daughter. The children fend for themselves, but in order to escape poverty, he joins the United States Marines. During his time as a Marine, he did two tours and carried a variety of occupational billets to include Combat Videography and Photography. He had pursued engineering and mechanics, but something shifted. Inspired only by his drive, he pursued Film Directing.

​

He graduated from The Los Angeles Film School in Directing and is a fellow of LACMA's Veterans Make Movies initiative, Cannes Student Program, The Academy Gold Program, Minority in Film's Directing Lab, and AICP's Mentoring Program. 

His works have screened at The Los Angeles Asian American Film Festival, LACMA, The Crest, and around the world. He has directed and edited for Ray-Ban, Traeger, TaylorMade, NBA, DIRECTV, Tennis Channel, Aloof, and More. 
 

His artistic approach borders between philosophy, poetry, imaginative, and "this would be cool to do." 

​

Kayleb Lee is currently based in Los Angeles, CA.

​