LJ Johnson is a writer and director from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was named one of the top thirty directors to watch by SHOOT MAGAZINE in 2021 and was chosen as one of the Fellows for the prestigious Commercial Directors Diversity Program in 2022. This summer she was the recipient of the Mom Who Also Directs Award, which was presented to her by her five-year-old daughter in her living room.

LJ has directed numerous commercial campaigns and written and directed award-winning short films. Working with actors is LJ’s thing, and she’s known for achieving subtle and nuanced performances on set. Visually, she likes to create offbeat worlds that showcase the quirk and idiosyncrasies of people. LJ’s grounded approach to humor is what sets her apart as a filmmaker. To her, comedy is best when it taps into the human condition, and she funnels every directorial decision she makes through The Lens of Honesty, which is a monocle she wears around her neck that no one has ever seen. It is very old and ancient. At the end of the day, what makes LJ laugh is when comedy blurs the line with tragedy. When you’re a little uncomfortable you can’t help but chuckle; it makes the silence less dead.