Meet Lilli Keeve | Film Writer & Photographer

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

Hi Lilli, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always been a creative individual. It began when I started writing poetry and attending poetry classes at Beyond Baroque in Venice. I had an affinity for reading and writing from a young age, and developed a voice through my poems, and gained confidence from attending many acting classes. There was no question that a foundation in the arts was my sole passion, whether through writing, acting, photography, or helping out on film sets. There was no other path I could see myself going down except becoming a film writer. When I pivoted from being an English major in my first quarter at Portland State University to a Film Analysis and Theory major, everything clicked, and a whole world opened up for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well, I’m not even 30 yet, so I have a long way to go professionally speaking, but over the last couple of years, I am very proud of what I have accomplished. The first professional stepping stone in my career was becoming a Content Writer for a digital publishing company called Decido, where I expanded upon my writing portfolio and gained experience as an in-house writer and editor. After months of job searching during COVID, I landed the role and moved to San Diego from Culver City. Before that, I was a Movie and TV News Writer for Looper and did freelance work for various independent film and culture publications.

One of my more notable accomplishments in the past year was becoming a Staff Writer for a small but up-and-coming brand, FilmObsessive. I have been writing film reviews and analyses, and, more recently, I have gotten into interviewing actors and filmmakers, which is a challenge, but brings me joy and allows me to step outside of my comfort zone. I have had some amazing opportunities in the past few months, and it’s exciting to see where I am headed and what else awaits me.

It hasn’t been easy. I have jumped through many hurdles and encountered one learning lesson after another. I have learned to state my truth, acknowledge my worth, and go after what feels right. Ultimately, I want readers to understand the craft of filmmaking and think more critically about what they are consuming; become engaged, active viewers rather than passive (although there’s nothing wrong with that once in a while). I want people to feel what it’s like to love something so much that it comes through clearly in my words.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite pastime is strolling through the artsy walk streets of Venice and browsing Abbot Kinney or going to Village Well bookstore in downtown Culver City, getting a coffee, and reading. Playa Vista has beautiful areas to walk around and soak up the sun. Book Soup in West Hollywood is a cool place, too, and Amoeba is the best (also iconic). The Aero Theatre in Santa Monica is one of my favorite places to watch a movie, and they always have special screenings and events, so that is worth checking out. One of the things I have always appreciated about LA is the nature and hiking – the Santa Monica Mountains offer many hikes with breathtaking ocean views. Not coincidentally, much of what I enjoy in the city is related to art or film, and the Getty Museum is a must-see.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dad, Fred Keeve, deserves the biggest shoutout for always being my #1 fan, supporter, and advocate. Since he also has deep roots in the entertainment business, much of my passion and inspiration stems from a myriad of experiences, going to PGA screenings, sitting in on development meetings, stepping into various roles on film shoots, and being on location and seeing firsthand how the industry works. Also, we had a special ritual of going to Blockbuster or Hollywood Video every week, so I have truly loved movies my entire life.

Website: https://filmobsessive.com/author/lilli-keeve/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilli-keeve/

Image Credits
1st Photo: San Diego International Film Festival