Meet Joohee Oh | Film Festival Director & Marketing Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joohee Oh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joohee, how does your business help the community?
I believe in the power of film and media to tell stories—from the deeply personal to the most universal—and spark meaningful changes. It has inspired me to advocate for spaces for underrepresent stories and voices, and driven my career specializing in media non-profit organizations like the Film Festival for Women’s Rights, the Seoul Independent Film Festival, and Creatively Speaking.

In 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic and right after the Black Lives Matter movement, I co-founded PrideFull, a New York-based film festival by and for Queer and Trans People of Color, with a mission to create an open, safe, community-driven space. We curate and screen innovative films that center LGBTQIA2S+ people of color and their stories. Our goal is to celebrate stories that reflect our experiences, support each other, and build a platform that amplifies our voices. By bringing QTBIPOC filmmakers and audiences together, we’re working to make the film industry more inclusive, equitable, queer, and colorful.

As the Festival Director of PrideFull, I’ve spent the last four years curating meaningful, thought-provoking film programs that resonate with our community. It’s my way of supporting artists and advocating for Queer and Trans People of Color—creating a space where art and activism intersect, where the community can come together to celebrate, share, and thrive. Alongside this, I bring my professional marketing expertise to amplify PrideFull’s reach and visibility. Whether it’s crafting compelling marketing content, building social media strategies, or managing campaign ads, my goal is to shine a spotlight on what makes PrideFull special: our unwavering commitment to uplifting QTBIPOC voices and fostering a vibrant, supportive community through storytelling, advocacy, and celebration.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was first introduced to the world of media and film through a friend who worked on a short web series about queers and feminists. They invited me to be the assistant director, knowing my organized and detail-oriented nature. Intrigued by the idea of being on set, I agreed—and I’m so glad I did. Helping bring that project to life was a transformative experience. I discovered the joy of supporting artists, amplifying important stories, and contributing to a more inclusive world.

This experience sparked a deeper interest in film and storytelling, leading me to work at film festivals. I was captivated by the vibrant energy of these events and the powerful, life-changing stories they showcased. Serving various roles at festivals and screenings like Creatively Speaking, the Film Festival for Women’s Rights, and the Seoul Independent Film Festival, I realized that art and advocacy are deeply intertwined. My earlier work managing fundraising projects at Give Orange had already highlighted the critical need for advocacy. Recognizing media as a powerful tool for driving change, it felt natural to dedicate my career to using film and media to create meaningful social impact.

I co-founded PridedFull where we curate and screen innovative films that center LGBTQIA2S+ people of color. We host annual film festivals, stand-alone community screenings and gatherings, and virtual panels, reaching audiences in New York and across the U.S. Attendees have described PrideFull to be one of the most accessible and thoughtful festivals they’ve experienced, and our program resonates with their lived experiences.

Like many nonprofit festivals, PrideFull has faced its share of challenges. However, as a festival director, one of the most complex yet rewarding aspects is curating the right lineup of films. Beyond receiving submissions on FilmFreeway, I research extensively, exploring film festivals around the world to discover hidden gems—such as films that have never been screened in the U.S. but feel perfect for our audience. Narrowing down the lineup is always a tough decision, but our programming team carefully selects works that are timely, impactful, and aligned with the stories our community needs.

I feel the magic of PrideFull when I see a theater filled with engaged, joyful audiences, or hear insightful conversations and empowering comments sparked by the films we showcase after the screenings. Ultimately, PrideFull is about creating a space where art, activism, and community come together. As we continue to grow, I’m excited to amplify more voices and bring more stories to new audiences in the years ahead.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
New York City is one of the most exciting places to visit! Each neighborhood is unique, so you can pick any random neighbor to stroll and still enjoy, but if you need some starting points, here are some things to do:
1. Watching the sunset at Battery Park
2. Walking along Hoboken Port or Gantry Plaza to see the sparkling city skylines after sunset
3. Brewery hopping at Court Square, Long Island City
4. Museum tours: Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, Museum of Moving Image, The Met, Guggenheim Museum, and more
5. Going to independent cinema: Metrograph and Film Forum are my favorites
6. Vintage shopping at Green Point and Williamsburg: L Train Vintage, Other People’s Clothes, and Awoke Vintage are some of them

I am vegan and New York has such diverse and delicious vegan food. Here are my favorites:
1. Norbert’s Pizza
2. Nami Nori
3. Lucky Vegetarian
4. Healthy as a Motha
5. Vegan on the Fly
6. Anixi
7. RAS Plant Based
8. Sen Saigon
9. Omakassed
10. Pinche Vegana

And where are places centering queers? Here are some places to check out:
1. PrideFull events
2. Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore
3. The Bush
4. Soft Butch
5. Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art
6. Drag brunches happening all over the city (ex. Fresco’s Cantina has regular drag brunches)
7. Cubbyhole
8. The Nonbinarian Bookstore
9. The Woods on Wednesdays

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been fortunate to meet many incredible people who have played significant roles in my journey, but I’d like to dedicate my first shoutout to Nabin, co-founder and executive director of PrideFull.

Nabin is more than a colleague—he’s a friend and chosen family who continually supports, inspires, and encourages me. At work, he’s an exceptional writer with a gift for crafting sensitive and nuanced pieces, as well as the most organized person I’ve ever met, effortlessly streamlining complex processes. Outside of work, he’s a caring individual and a passionate dancer, living his authentic life. I wouldn’t be who I am today without his influence, and I’m deeply grateful to him.

I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the vibrant QTBIPOC community. Their support helps us create safe, empowering spaces at PrideFull. Watching their stories on screen, witnessing their joy in the spaces we’ve built, and feeling their heartfelt encouragement are what inspire me and keep me grounded in this work.

Website: https://www.pridefull.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pridefullfilm/

Twitter: https://x.com/PrideFullFilm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrideFullFilm

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrideFullFilm

Image Credits
Rom Choi, Maria Lee, Chen Xiangyun, Guava Rhee